Hi all
I've done a number of neutral spirit runs with a friend's borrowed still (unsure of brand but it had about a 20L boiler and ran pretty well) and thought I'd convert my BIAB setup to a dual purpose rig- for brewing and distilling.
So I have a 40L Crown urn with concealed element and bought a copper mast from Kegland, then cut a hole in a stainless bowl for the dome with a stainless ring and clips to aid sealing (bit of help from my dad for this bit). I've also split a food grade 8mm gas line that sits on the top of the urn lip so it seals.
I know it runs with water boiling inside and doesn't leak, so now I've got a 25L TPW bubbling away downstairs for it's maiden run.
Couple of questions:
1. First obvious question- does anyone see any obvious issues or problems with the setup?
2. Is it an issue not having a way to measure the temp of the liquid inside? The still I borrowed didn't have anything like that but as I've been reading the last couple of days, it seems most people suggest to keep an eye on the internal temp as well as the temp in the top of the mast.
3. Along those lines, what temp should I set my urn to for the run? Do I just turn it up to full and let the internal temp climb as it heats up, then make my cuts accordingly?
4. Does it matter which of the hose fittings on the top of the mast are in and out? I'm assuming it will circulate no matter which way the water flows, but maybe there's a better way? There aren't any markings on either pipe that I can see to say if one's 'In' and one's 'Out'.
5. Anything else I'm missing?
Thanks in anticipation. Hopefully someone with more experience than me will chime in, but either way I'll post my progress to this thread.