HELP please: SLOW 2nd Distilling run

[Astro1986]

Hi everyone

I need some help again please. I run three batches from TP recipe and ended up with a total of 20 litres of 40%.

I added that into the still (Pure Distilling) to run again with the plan of taking proper cuts this time. Every one says that double distilling produces much better product.

It got up to temp of 75 and tap is in slow position but it seems to be really really slow. It's been on about 3 hours and it's only collected 30ml of foreshore so far? I'm starting to worry that I've wasted 20l of drinkable alcohol chasing better quality.

Can someone please tell me if the second run is usually so slow? Or what may have gone wrong?

Thankyou

[Tesla101]

Astro, where are you measuring the temp of 75?

[db1979]

Are you using a power controller?

[Astro1986]

Astro, where are you measuring the temp of 75?

Where the hole is in the column for the thermometer.

I opened the valve slightly and got a constant slow drip now. Been running for 16 hours on spirit run now and have about 5.6 litres. Seems to be sitting around 98% at last check and the temp is still constant on 75

[Astro1986]

Are you using a power controller?

Nope. Just the pure distilling still plugged into the power.

[bluc]

Maybe your element blew. Try filling boiler with water without still on top and time how long it takes to boil :think:

[Astro1986]

Maybe your element blew. Try filling boiler with water without still on top and time how long it takes to boil :think:

It's only like 4 weeks old. This is only it's 4th run. I can hear it running, normally on my 3 stripping runs it takes a few hours but that's with the tap on fast flow.

In this run now, I have the tap on slow and have collected nearly 8 litres. I think it will be done soon. Just taking a looong time to get there.

[The Stig]

2” still with 2000w element = slow no matter how you dress it

[bluc]

Dont think anything much happens fast in this hobby..except maybe summer rum ferments :laughing-rolling:

[Lesgold]

Hi Astro,

I run the same rig. As you know, the ball valve has two settings. The “slow” setting is usually used only for taking off foreshots. It allows a lot more reflux to occur in the column. I then switch the ball valve to the normal setting to distill heads, hearts and tails on a 40% batch of low wines. This normally takes about five to six hours. Temp reading on my column is 78 degrees until I get close to tails. I also run a power controller and have added a needle valve to enable me to control the output.

[Astro1986]

Hi Astro,

I run the same rig. As you know, the ball valve has two settings. The “slow” setting is usually used only for taking off foreshots. It allows a lot more reflux to occur in the column. I then switch the ball valve to the normal setting to distill heads, hearts and tails on a 40% batch of low wines. This normally takes about five to six hours. Temp reading on my column is 78 degrees until I get close to tails. I also run a power controller and have added a needle valve to enable me to control the output.

Awesome thanks for the advice. Normally I have also opened up to fast position for a normal run however as people say to do spirit runs slow (pot still I know) I figured I would keep it shut. Took 21 hours!! But got there in the end.


Do you stop it when it hits 80c for the second time as per the instructions? I have found that with all 4 ru s now my temp sits dead on 75. Seeing as you run a power controller, why is that? I've heard that it's not needed on these as they are kind of underpowered. What exactly does the needle valve do or work amd where can I get one?

Thankyou

[Lesgold]

Hi Astro

I normally run flat out until the still gets up to operating temp. I find that I can turn the power down a bit during the run as the full 2000w is not needed to keep the rolling boil. As you said, the power controller is essential when using the pot still for a spirit run to control the output. I found the needle valve allows me to slow the run to exactly where I want it and make fine adjustments as required. The instructions that come with the unit advise to use the reduced flow when the temp climbs to 80 degrees. At this point you are into the tails and the reduced flow allows for more reflux to squeeze some extra good stuff out of the wash. When I start to hit tails, I run flat out and strip the remaining product off quickly and use that in a feints run later on. Couldn’t be bothered sitting around for ever trying to get that last bit out. From memory, I used a 1/4” stainless needle valve (BSP thread) from ebay.