Options

[TheShining]

Options

I've been thinking of options going forward after doing a couple of runs on the newly purchased T500 reflux still on stock setup. Those runs have produced ABVs of between 90 and 92%.

I'm not a heavy drinker so my focus will be on quality, rather than quantity. 90-92% isn't going to cut it.

First option is to try a run using the SPP packing I've ordered. If this achieves azeo, then I may be satisfied with that and continue with it.

Other potential options I'm looking at is adding a bubble plate section, such as this:
https://5stardistilling.com/product/t500-glass-tower-copper-bubble-plate-upgrade/.

Alternatively, or additionally, I could lengthen the column using these (I think these are the correct combination of parts?):
https://cheekypeakbrewery.com.au/turbo-500-2-tri-clover-still-mounting-conversion-kit/
https://5stardistilling.com/product/2-x-200mm-tri-clamp-pipe-section/

The dream, if I could find a way to pull the trigger, is something like this:
https://5stardistilling.com/product/4-fsd-neutralizer/
Although I assume I would need a new boiler to go with this...

Advice on any of the above is welcome and appreciated

[WoodyD40]

Gidday

I started with the HBS 2" reflux still, on a 65 litre boiler, and spent 11 hours doing my first WBAB wash through it. (the wash was about 50 litres in the boiler).
I knew i would not enjoy the hobby for long if I'm stuck for 11 to 12 hours each time watching it come out so slowly. :angry-banghead:

I had a few chats with Andrew (the Stig) and ended up going with the 4" Neutralizer. I can say that was a great choice going up from 2"to 4". It is rather easy to have the whole thing set up for full reflux for a WBAB or similar wash for neutral spirit one day, then remove the packing and 2 plates and run a rum wash or whiskey wash through it the next day. It is just like a large SS lego set after all, and very flexible with what you can do. :-B
You do need the head height room for it, as it does stand a full 2.4 high off the floor on top of the 65 litre boiler that I'm using.

But at the end of the day, it all depends on your budget and what kind of end product you are most interested in, and how much time you have to invest each time you do a 'run' with your still.
I'm happy to be up at 6am on a Saturday morning, and be completed finished and packed/cleaned up by 12 noon, so that I have the afternoon to do other things around the house. But that's how I like to roll. :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[The Stig]

All the addons for the T500 are a waste of time .
Yes we sell them but if people ask first I’ll tell them .
They look cool especially the glass but nothing will change the T500

[Professor Green]

Hey mate,

I think by trying to achieve azeo with the T-500 you're going to be wasting money and getting rather disappointed.

Given your T-500 is new, I imagine you're not that keen to abandon it right now so a here's a couple of things you can do before going down that road:

• Double distil your spirits. You can't really do a stripping run on the T500 without destroying it but what you can do is run the wash then run dilute the resulting spirits to < 40% and run them through again. You can even run a couple of washes through and combine them before doing the second distillation.
• Try a different wash. You haven't stated what you're using your neutral for but if you're making vodka, try WBAB so that any flavour that does come across is a pleasant grain flavour.
• If you haven't already, read up on the best way to run the T-500 and do cuts (https://aussiedistiller.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=57&t=11917)

As an upgrade path, if a neutraliser isn't quite within your reach (and it certainly couldn't go on top of the T500 boiler due to it's weight so you would have to factor a new boiler into the equation), have look at the 5 Star 2" boka instead. It produces outstanding neutral. I have a neutraliser and still use the boka and T500 boiler when I don't want to do big runs. I can recommend getting the pot still option with it so you can do stripping runs and flavoured spirits if you so desire.

Hope this helps.

[Carol]

Hi

I have a FSD 2" boka and pot. Modular, cost-effective and produces excellent neutral fom TPW or FFV or WBAB etc
You can read about it on this thread.

viewtopic.php?f=8&t=12638


Cheers
Carol

[TheShining]

Thank you everyone for all the advice.

I think I will compile a pros and cons list of the Boka and Neutralizer and try to figure out what's best for me.

Meanwhile, the SPP packing arrived in the mail yesterday, so I have replaced the original packing with the SPP and added a copper scrubber at the base of the column to keep them in place and to increase copper contact. I'm currently doing a run of 5 litres of left over low wines, topped up with water to 12 litres total volume.

So far, the distilate appears to be coming out a lot higher ABV than previously. The reading on the alcometer is ~96% and the temp is 23.3c. The SPP packing seems to have made a big difference