Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Reflux still design and discussion

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby globalmark » Wed Feb 07, 2024 12:39 pm

Hi Guys

been reading all this info - as just bought a T500 upgrade from airstill ..
However not much mention on a complete run through from start to finish - lots bits and pieces
the original post running a T500 the proper way is great .

But no mention of a stripping Run first ?? - whats the format here - just run it all first bin the fores 150ml keep everything ,
Then a spirit run dilute to 40% and then rerun with cuts every 200ml after discard the fores again - (as on main page)

What sort of quantities each part - approx I know done by smell and taste but love to know approx what each is ??

Heads -
Hearts -
Tails -
dunder - to dump (good for compost in garden)

Thanks so much for this info i had a lovely chart on the airstill (getting best from airstill) (added pic of chart ) found someone posted here ) so nice to have that sort of info for T500 to start with -
all the best MARK
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
globalmark
 
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:11 am
equipment: airstil , fuselex filter, mangrove jack ss fermenter

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby The Stig » Wed Feb 07, 2024 3:04 pm

Nobody talks about stripping runs with a T500 because you can’t really do it without killing it
The Stig
Site Nerd
 
Posts: 18501
Images: 9
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 am
equipment: Only the Best will Do.
Mac4 SSG Bubbles of Joy

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby globalmark » Wed Feb 07, 2024 3:53 pm

Hi stig

Sorry what does that mean - dont do a stripping run with a T500 as will damage it ???
or do you mean cant mess it up as simple ?
Thanks
globalmark
 
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:11 am
equipment: airstil , fuselex filter, mangrove jack ss fermenter

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby The Stig » Wed Feb 07, 2024 3:59 pm

The T500 has a plastic cap on top, run the still too hot (IE a stripping run or pot still mode) and you will warp that cap and it'll never seal again without a lot of messing around.
Turn the still upside down and fill it with water and see if it leaks out the plastic top cap
The Stig
Site Nerd
 
Posts: 18501
Images: 9
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 am
equipment: Only the Best will Do.
Mac4 SSG Bubbles of Joy

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby globalmark » Wed Feb 07, 2024 4:09 pm

Hi

yes it does leak out that cap as when cleaned it i filled with water and citric acid and drain out slowly - so does this mean No stripping run with the T500 or just means have to keep temp lower - or shall i strip with my little airstil (but was trying to avoid that as 4litres at a time and 2 washs to do so thats a pain ..
can i adapt or change the plastic part for copper or stainless .
whats your suggestion as i did see a updated post from stillspirits saying can do stripping run but i dont trust there paperwork

thanks Mark
globalmark
 
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:11 am
equipment: airstil , fuselex filter, mangrove jack ss fermenter

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby globalmark » Wed Feb 07, 2024 4:25 pm

Maybe a stripping run is the wrong word - just distill twice then ?? and water down between ..
globalmark
 
Posts: 22
Joined: Tue Jan 17, 2023 9:11 am
equipment: airstil , fuselex filter, mangrove jack ss fermenter

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Sjp770 » Fri Apr 12, 2024 9:05 am

I ran my new T500 the other day for the first time and got near the 2hr mark with no drips coming out, once I slowed the flow of the still spirits water controller it started coming out immediately. From there I could find tune it to the correct drip drip dribble. But my question is if the cooling is so efficient (cold ground water maybe?) How long should you let it reflux in the column and is there any advantage once it comes to temp? Do people install temp probes in the main body to see when it hits boiling / vapour temps to know when to start the extraction?
- Simon
Sjp770
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Mar 31, 2024 1:21 pm
equipment: T500 still

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby NevH » Fri Jun 07, 2024 12:13 pm

Thanks WJ great post,

I put down a WBAB wash today. I have the same T500 still as you and will be making the same Mod's you suggested. I was thinking of running a stripping run first then a spirit run. Is this a good idea? And if so should I run my condenser with no packing?

Cheer nev
NevH
Site Donor
 
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jun 06, 2024 3:52 pm
equipment: T500
Still Spirits Air Still

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby NevH » Fri Jun 07, 2024 12:27 pm

NevH wrote:Thanks WJ great post,

I put down a WBAB wash today. I have the same T500 still as you and will be making the same Mod's you suggested. I was thinking of running a stripping run first then a spirit run. Is this a good idea? And if so should I run my condenser with no packing?

Cheer nev

:-B :violence-smack:
Woops didn't realize there was so many pages on this subject, I'll keep reading
NevH
Site Donor
 
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jun 06, 2024 3:52 pm
equipment: T500
Still Spirits Air Still

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Professor Green » Fri Jun 07, 2024 6:04 pm

Hey Nev,

many of us strip our washes before doing spirt runs; it's a very good strategy. Strip a couple of washes then combine the resulting low wines and put them through a single spirit run. You'll end up up with much better results than running the wash directly.

I would not recommend trying to strip with the T500 column though, it has plastic parts that will most certainly fail due to excessive heat and leave you still unusable.
Professor Green
 
Posts: 2560
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2015 1:10 pm
Location: Victoria
equipment: FSD 100 litre milk can with 2 x 2400W elements
FSD Neutraliser
FSD Carter Head
12 litre double boiler with 2400W element

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby The Stig » Fri Jun 07, 2024 6:49 pm

Double what Mr Green said
The Stig
Site Nerd
 
Posts: 18501
Images: 9
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 am
equipment: Only the Best will Do.
Mac4 SSG Bubbles of Joy

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby NevH » Wed Jul 17, 2024 9:30 am

Professor Green wrote:Hey Nev,

many of us strip our washes before doing spirt runs; it's a very good strategy. Strip a couple of washes then combine the resulting low wines and put them through a single spirit run. You'll end up up with much better results than running the wash directly.

I would not recommend trying to strip with the T500 column though, it has plastic parts that will most certainly fail due to excessive heat and leave you still unusable.

Thanks for that Mr Green and the Stig,
started by cleaning my column, tipped it upside down water passed through the plastic at the top. I think damage has already been done. Noticed some other threads on mods. thanks for the feedback I'll keep reading.
Nev
NevH
Site Donor
 
Posts: 7
Joined: Thu Jun 06, 2024 3:52 pm
equipment: T500
Still Spirits Air Still

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby rug » Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:37 pm

This one could be useful in the T500 boiler?
Tex if one want to destill the wash, tex grapes for making greek Raki...?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D6HL393/re ... GhlbWF0aWM
:-B
rug
 
Posts: 13
Images: 0
Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2024 3:51 pm
equipment: I hypoteticallty own a T500 with stanless condenser, Alembic dome and an Airstill.
Some modifications done, like comntrol of effect on elements, water, lenght of coloumn, coloumn filling etc etc

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby rug » Mon Sep 30, 2024 9:43 pm

This one could be useful in the T500 boiler?
Tex if one want to destill the wash, tex grapes for making greek Raki...?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08D6HL393/re ... GhlbWF0aWM
:-B
rug
 
Posts: 13
Images: 0
Joined: Tue Sep 24, 2024 3:51 pm
equipment: I hypoteticallty own a T500 with stanless condenser, Alembic dome and an Airstill.
Some modifications done, like comntrol of effect on elements, water, lenght of coloumn, coloumn filling etc etc

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby snivag » Fri Nov 29, 2024 10:36 am

Hi guys I've been lurking for a while but here is my first post, hopefully it makes sense. :))
After using Still Spirits method and product(turbo yeast,turbo carbon then turbo clear)I am just about to start my first TPW, from a 25 ltr wash I was getting roughly 3.8ltrs of 90/93% running the temp at 50/52C, I dilute to 45% then run through a charcoal filter and done.
With the TPW is it just a case of making the wash and then putting it straight in the boiler(not using any turbo clear).
When distilling throw away the first 150mm as before, then diluting after collection to 45%, does it still need filtering through the charcoal filter after dilution?
Also I see in this thread, lower temp range than I was using, what difference does that make?
And one last question, I collect in a plastic jug then dilute, then filter, then decant into glass bottles, does collecting in glass make any difference?
TIA
snivag
 
Posts: 1
Joined: Fri Nov 29, 2024 8:03 am
equipment: Still spirits t500

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby RuddyCrazy » Fri Nov 29, 2024 10:50 am

G'Day snivag :handgestures-thumbupleft:

How about popping into the Welcome Centre mate and tell about your journey so far :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Now on the question of plastic DON"T let high ABV spirits any near it as it will leach toxins from the plastic.

Also have a good read on cuts mate as you will learn using them will go along way into making that special drop :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Cheers Bryan
RuddyCrazy
Mentor
 
Posts: 2621
Joined: Thu Oct 31, 2013 6:36 pm
Location: Not far from Kanmantoo SA
equipment: 4" copper bubbler with a setup for Neutral and a thumper for Whisky and my old 5 litre pot for doing maceration runs and MiniMe the baby pot still

Re: Running a T500, the Proper Way - Discussion Thread

Postby Wellsy » Sat Nov 30, 2024 5:06 am

Plus one to what ruddy said.

Keep plastic away from spirits it will make a big health difference long term
Wellsy
 
Posts: 2357
Joined: Sat Aug 22, 2020 7:48 am
Location: Victoria
equipment: FSD 4” Modular Pot Still plus 4 FSD Bubble plates on FSD 50 ltr Milk Can Boiler + 2 x 2400W FSD Element and Guard Kits

Previous

Return to Reflux Stills



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests

x