The Gin Genie MkII

Perforated & bubble cap plated columns

The Gin Genie MkII

Postby Shano592 » Wed Sep 23, 2020 10:33 pm

So, I finally had the opportunity to get the 3-inch bubbler assembled, that I had purchased a couple of weeks back.

I assembled, then filled the glass bubble chambers with water, to check overnight for leaks. This went well, so I drained them and set them aside. The rest of the still, I assembled in 2 parts, then I just had to wait for the boiler to be finished, at the engineer's workshop. I picked the boiler up this morning, so this afternoon was all systems go!

Or so I thought...

The still assembled nicely, though I realised that I'll need to reimagine the waste section under the boiler. An elbow with a ball valve will be the go.

Next up was the water. The still came with some push connectors, that make connecting the hoses a cinch. Here is where I had issues. The press fittings all leaked under pressure. Chinese quality! Luckily, I work for a plumbing supplies company, and we stock the brass equivalents of this plastic rubbish. I did do some makeshift repairs to slow the leaks, but the parts will need replacing.

Tonight I was able to start and finish a vinegar run. 35 litres of water and 6 litres of vinegar. Using 2x 2400w FSD stainless elements, I reached 100 degrees in under an hour, and had the system in full reflux about 20 minutes later.

It was churning out around 4 litres per hour, which was good because it was running the vinegar over all surfaces. I'll give it a clean tomorrow, then I can launch the sacrificial alcohol run!

Here are some pics of the still in action, along with a YouTube video that I uploaded.

https://youtu.be/PoPtDKb1_DM
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Shano592
 
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2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
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3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: The Gin Genie MkII

Postby The Stig » Thu Sep 24, 2020 5:57 am

How many runs are you going to do to make your neutral ?
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Re: The Gin Genie MkII

Postby Shano592 » Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:04 am

I'm still thinking on 2 for really clean stuff. But I'm looking forward to experimenting, to see the difference between 1&2.

I'm looking forward to new learning, with dialling back the flow with reflux, and playing with the power output.

Fun times ahead.
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
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Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: The Gin Genie MkII

Postby The Stig » Thu Sep 24, 2020 9:36 am

A 4 plate bubbler will bring across full flavour.
That’s what they are designed to do , run a TPW and you’ll see what I mean.
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Re: The Gin Genie MkII

Postby Shano592 » Thu Sep 24, 2020 5:13 pm

Running my sacrificial now, which is a molasses wash. I have a feeling that I'll understand shortly.... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I should say though, that the bulk of my washes are white sugar washes.
Last edited by Shano592 on Thu Sep 24, 2020 5:18 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: The Gin Genie MkII

Postby scythe » Fri Sep 25, 2020 11:32 pm

Yeah don't drink your sacrificial run...
That's why it's sacrificial, you pretty much just toss it, or keep it for future cleaning runs.
But never drink it.
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Re: The Gin Genie MkII

Postby Shano592 » Sat Sep 26, 2020 5:04 pm

No, all good.

I had to do all of this with the Boka and the Pelican, so I'm up to speed on that.

It did have a noticeably metallic note to it, on top of the molasses.

The sacrificial run went really well, and I was able to play with the water flow to the deflegmator, along with power to the elements, to see the results in real time. I pulled everything apart and sanitised it all overnight, then rinsed it all out.

I'm running my 4-month old molasses wash now, which has been waiting very patiently in the back shed. Consistently sitting on 91%, after the heads cuts, and the molasses smell is divine.

One question: once I air it, can I bang this straight into my Oak barrel? I have my Boxing Day rum in there presently, and I think it's ready to bottle... from the taste...
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: The Gin Genie MkII

Postby The Stig » Sat Sep 26, 2020 5:06 pm

Knock it back to 65% and barrel away
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Re: The Gin Genie MkII

Postby Shano592 » Sat Sep 26, 2020 5:43 pm

That's what I wanted to hear! :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII


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