Single runs/ Hybrid still

[Sam.]

You won't get nuetrel out of it. Unless you pack the shit out of it below that condenser

[Kimbo]

That Packed section needs to be longer I reckon. What diameter column are you gunna use?

[zwagerman9]

Plan is to use 2" copper. Was meant to be basic packing either around coil etc.
I was thinking along the lines of, when I used my pot for neutral, tripe distilled TPW came out quite nice.
Not sure what I want to do.
Kind thinking along the lines now of building a bok attachment.
500mm riser, with ferrule at and bottom, to remove pot bends an leibig and just attach another 700mm slant plate attachment.

Who knows!!??

[crow]

yeah might be better just to make a separate reflux still almost the same work slightly more money but you'll be able to produce a better product I think. Strip with the pot and run it though ya reflux for a quicker cleaner neutral than that design would give you IMHO

[zwagerman9]

Yeah I know,
Was being inventive!
My set up is 2" pot,
And 2"bok.

Been reading too many of googes posts! :teasing-neener:

[bt1]

hello zwag,

Sam's right it's not the still for neutrals. Mine pulls into low 90's abv at start but drops. i used to run it at at about 80 abv for a sugar/AG mixed wash. It also has the entire double coil wrapped and threaded with SS scrubbers, one below and one above as well.

cheers
bt1

[Dominator]

Thanks for the awesome write up bt1. I have a FSD pot still that I am going to modify to a hybrid still. The column is approx 350mm long (2" diameter).

I understand that by having a longer column you can have a smaller RC but, to save me having to get more 2" pipe and extending my column, could I keep the 350mm column but have a larger/more efficient RC, say a double helix with a cold finger at 250-300mm long? Therefore the RC would end 50-100mm above the keg connection. Or do you need that extra column space below the RC?

[bt1]

need to think about this a tad when more well sober...

You mean a RC= Reflux condenser or an inserted coil...not the same fish but caught by same line..

bt1

[Dominator]

Yeah, reflux coil is not the correct term. I was talking about an inserted coil in the column.

[bt1]

hello Dom,

sry bit sideways last night.....

Yeh why not I reckon that a cold finger on the smaller side would work. I'd get a good and do mean good gate valve with 12 plus turns, not a bunnos red handle one cos their seats are shite...

you'll be playing with about 1/2 to 3/4 a turn is about it during a run at the lower end so pays to have a smooth valve. Test em by feel and looking at em if it's a clunker literally it's going to be hard to get precision.

This way if you have precise coolant control it really does not make a diff.

Give it a crack look forward to hearing how you go.

bt1

[Dominator]

Thanks for the advice mate. Think I will go for about about a 230mm double helix cold finger and get my hands on a good quality gate valve.

[Dominator]

So I have got a. Few runs under my belt with my hybrid. I ended up fitting a 230mm 1/4" double helix, no cold finger. It takes bugger all water to run and easily knocks down everything at 4800W.

What kind of hearts cut are you getting? I know it differs depending on wash type, how you ferment, still etc. My last run of 25L of rum was 3.25L heads, 1.5L hearts and 3.5L of tails. The first 2L of heads I took at about 86%/1.7LPH the rest was at 80%, hearts were 80%/2.2-2.5LPH.

What

[bt1]

House mate don't measure it like you have so can only comment on totals.

85lt in total so, 2 runs @45lt fill per run

wash Totals are= 9lt molasses, 12kg sugar, Epsom , DAP approx. 1 table spoon approx. and bicarb for pH adjust

collects are for 2 runs avg run abv 90% , heads throw 600ml(300ml per run) same again for early hearts,keepers are 4 - 4.5lt per run, 9lt+ total

bt1

[Dominator]

Hmmmm, looks like I'm way off in my product. May have to look at my processes. I am only getting 3L of product per 50L

[Sam.]

Hmmmm, looks like I'm way off in my product. May have to look at my processes. I am only getting 3L of product per 50L

All depends how you do your cuts mate ;-)

A very personal thing as to what flavours you want :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[bt1]

Sorta agree,

Could well be just cuts...

if your getting 3lt keepers from a good strength wash then you must throw about 1.2lt by my calcs.

I suspect it's the lack of DAP/ yeast nutrient producing lower % wash...we took a few months to learn how to tweak a molasses wash.

It definitely loves a pH correction and DAP.

a second gen+ yeast also helps....throw at 6 cos of the off flavours idea but have never tested past gen 6.

bt1

[Dominator]

I am pretty brutal with my cuts, just until I have a better understanding of how it works and what I like.

I run down to about 20-30% so I have about 6+L if feints. Approx half heads and half tails. I know I could put more effort into my wash, but because I am only just starting out I am still trying to learn about how and when for ph and nutrients. Last wash I added some tomato paste as I don't have any DAP and I am currently looking at getting myself a PH meter.

[bt1]

Dom,

sounds like a good plan!

If it helps use about 2 teaspoons heaped, dissolved and cooled added to 28lt total volume in a single fermenter.

Not used TP but mac uses it and he's ok with it so your on the right track.

Bit more time I guess and you'll be wondering where to store it all...

enjoy
bt1

[Dominator]

Thanks bt. That gives me a place to start at least. I was reading about ph adjustment and splitting your bicarb over 3 doses so you do t stress the yeast. Will have to find it again.

So much info, such a shit memory. Haha

[WTDist]

Hi bt1

Very interesting thread. it has made me realize the type of still i am planing on building. I was thinking of modifying my T500 to add a pot head on from where the top plastic cap was failing so i could have a reflux still and bypass the coil for pot mode.

Did i read right earlier in this thread, that you can do single runs for a whiskey? eliminating the stripping run??

Cheers