Anyone familiar with Arnold Holstein?

[Flinderspeakstill]

Hi,
Is there anyone out there familiar with using an Arnold Holstein still?
I've been thrown in the deep end and really not sure what all the valves and settings do.
I can get some clean spirit out at good alcohol percentage when valves 22 and 24 are closed and 26 is at position 1. I gather that these settings give the greatest cooling for the dephlegmator and the still is running in full plate mode to give the cleanest product.
If I open valve 24, and leave 22 closed, the alcohol produced is not as strong (but still 80%) but has more character.
If I open valve 22 and 24, there seems to be no cooling on dephlegmator, the alcohol is now down to 55-60% and can be quite pungent.
If I close 22 and 24 and change 26 to position 4, which opens up the plates to drain, I get a more aromatic spirit at high strength.

Not sure what settings should be used for the type of spirits produced.

I'd like to make a single distilled wine based grappa, double distilled infused creations, quadruple distilled grape based vodka.

[Bushy]

I only know that I am jealous of your quandary. Send em an email and they may have info for you.

[rumdidlydum]

Sounds very confusing, is there thay many valves and taps? :shock:

[stilllearning]

Holy shit, I just googled what you're talking about... MIND EXPANDED. :o

[warramungas]

Please post a pic. Pretty please! :pray:

[markus]

Jump on adi forums mate. I'm sure someone there will be able to help you. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[Flinderspeakstill]

Sounds very confusing, is there thay many valves and taps? :shock:

There are two main valves, but four combinations. These control the condenser cooling for the column. The other is more like a lever. It controls how far the stoppers open for the bubble plate drains. I guess that if I have the valves and lever set a particular way, the still will run in pot mode, and if I set them as above, the still runs in full rectification mode. Then there's also combinations for in between both those modes. :think:

[MacStill]

Yeah I reckon the lads over on http://adiforums.com/ will be able to give you good advice, not many here on AD have experience with your type of rig :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Cheers,

Mac.

[Flinderspeakstill]

Thanks all.

I have posted a pic in the welcome section.

I've emailed Arnold Holstein today and had a quick look at the other forum. So much info.

[shortybronx88]

Jealous of that still....Jealous

[MacStill]

Thanks all.

I have posted a pic in the welcome section.

I've emailed Arnold Holstein today and had a quick look at the other forum. So much info.

Yup! ADI forum is a commercial distillers forum, plenty of info there and I'm sure if you asked someone would help you out.... I read it regularly and typically it seems a fairly friendly forum but we here the majority are just hobby distillers ;-)

Cheers,

Mac.