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Turbo 500 - full flow at the end of run

PostPosted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 1:38 pm
by ginandtonic
Hi Guys, and thanks in advance for any help.
I am new to this whole experience, and have just purchased a T500.
I have just distilled my first batch.
FYI the first mash was typical beginner stuff using all the gear that came in the kit.
ie - 6kg Turbo Sugar and Classic 6 Turbo Yeast, and i follwed all steps as well as possible.
I must admit, that I thought frementation was not quite there yet, but went ahead anyway, as I had taken the day of work.
Figured the first run would be full of mistakes anyway - so why not ?
I did test the alchol content which was only about 10%.
Anyway thats the background.
Everything was going well.
i must say that the water flow regulator is GOLD !, although it could do with a type of t-head tap handle to allow with finer " tuning " maybe they are available ? otherwise I guess ill make my own ?
Anyway, I stepped away from the still ( yes 1st lesson learned ), and when I returned, rather than spirits trickle / dripping in to the container, it was pouring in.
Cloudy mix, straigh through type thing !, and ruined the extraction.
I decided to let the boiler coold down a bit - poured the ruined extraction back in, and did it again.
This time I did not leave the still !
Things went well, until the drips had slowed right down and just about stopped.
Water temp on the thermometer at this stage was good ( I have approx 51-53 degrees the whole time ), so I figured the alcohol extraction had run out.
I was just about to turn everything off and remove the spirit hose from the bottle, when the " gush" started again.
This time I was able to save the mix with only a small amount of " wash" mixing with the extracted alcohol.
Is this typical at the end of a distillation ?
possibly there is another reason - cause by an incorrect wash or too many bubbles ?
appologise for incorrect terms used.
kind Regards
Gin and Tonic

Re: Turbo 500 - full flow at the end of run

PostPosted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 2:08 pm
by The Stig
Welcome to the forum, its usual to call into the welcome center to do a small introduction as your first post, but ill forgive you for that this time :teasing-neener:
Sounds like your packing isn't right some how, what you've experienced is known as puking :puke-huge:
Remove the packing, clean it a bit and repack and try again.
Your about to travel down a very steep learning curve but its a great hobby so have fun and enjoy.
Cheers

Re: Turbo 500 - full flow at the end of run

PostPosted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 3:05 pm
by ginandtonic
Thanks Stig,
The unit came " packed" so assumed it was ok.
Happy to pull it apart and give it a clean.
Can you point me in the right direction / existing post - re packing please ?
Appoligise for not introducing my self first - will proceed to that forum now :)
Steep curve - yes,thats ok, as long as its going UP !
Regards,
Gin and Tonic

Re: Turbo 500 - full flow at the end of run

PostPosted: Thu Nov 24, 2022 4:02 pm
by The Stig
OK, so what youve just done is clean the still, or a cleaning run.
They always need unpacking and repacking, from factory they are dirty and never packed correctly.
I wouldnt be drinking what youve just run, itll be full of dust, oil and god knows what.
And all good, we are all learning day by day.