Alcoengine FM reflux output

[Nuggerto]

I’ve been using a Turbo 500 and sugar wash for more than 10 years, I always get around 4 - 4.5lt of 90%+ spirit out of it. Nursing the water flow was getting to me so I bought a Alcoengine FM reflux copper top for the Turbo boiler. Using the 1mm output restrictor and following the video tutorial - turn the water on at 50c, open the output tap when the temp stabilises - all worked perfectly except I’m only getting 3 - 3.5lt out of it before the temp goes over 80c. It’s not an issue, I’m just wondering is that normal and what difference would the .6mm output restrictor make? I did search here but there was so much conflicting information I couldn’t decide if my output is normal or I’m doing something wrong. Thanks

[The Stig]

Welcome to the forum.
I can’t help sorry but it’s customary to drop into the welcome centre as a first port of call to just say hi :greetings-waveyellow:
It’s the polite thing to do

[Nuggerto]

Thanks, I've been a member since Sept 2023. I did go to the link that said Newbie but it was locked - I probably didn't look hard enough for the right place to start.
Thanks for the welcome.

[Wellsy]

Welcome nuggerto
Hopefully someone on here has some experience with your gear so they can give you an answer

[oddian]

I too use the Alcoengine for my neutrals, don't do much neutral so it's not worth investing in a larger beter one just yet.

I don't see a problem running it over 80. Mine goes higher and I get good yeild of pretty neutral spirit. Just make sure you're taking cuts and see how your "hearts" collection compares to the T500, I imagine they should be pretty similar.

[Nuggerto]

I too use the Alcoengine for my neutrals, don't do much neutral so it's not worth investing in a larger beter one just yet.

I don't see a problem running it over 80. Mine goes higher and I get good yeild of pretty neutral spirit. Just make sure you're taking cuts and see how your "hearts" collection compares to the T500, I imagine they should be pretty similar.

Thanks - following the Kegland and Pure Distilling videos they say 80c and it's all over, but I am still getting sprit out so will experiment a bit more.

[Golly]

Dont run your still by the temp that it is reaching. Run it until the abv drops off. The instructions youve been given are stupid.

1: stripping runs first
2: Spirit run Collect slowly into small jars
3: stop collecting when abv drops and the outcoming spirit tastes like shit, per your finger taste.
4: spend some time reading up on how to run your unit properly. Plenty of posts with instructions.

[Nuggerto]

Dont run your still by the temp that it is reaching. Run it until the abv drops off. The instructions youve been given are stupid.

1: stripping runs first
2: Spirit run Collect slowly into small jars
3: stop collecting when abv drops and the outcoming spirit tastes like shit, per your finger taste.
4: spend some time reading up on how to run your unit properly. Plenty of posts with instructions.

Thank you for your reply. The instructional video I'm watching is from the company that makes the still (Kegland)
It is a copy of the Pure Distilling unit - their video instructions are exactly the same.
Appreciate your information. I'm at a very basic level and will need to read a lot more to follow your instructions.

Thanks

[Wellsy]

Hey nuggetto

Have a good read of the newbie section a couple of times and it starts to make sense mate. We were all where you are, some argue I still am :). Every batch is a little different so simply using a temp or ABV as you guide is very hit and miss. Collecting in small batches and tasting and making cuts is where you will end up eventually.
Speed of output and trusting your nose and taste buds are the key.
Welcome to the rabbit hole and enjoy the journey

[Nuggerto]

Hey nuggetto

Have a good read of the newbie section a couple of times and it starts to make sense mate. We were all where you are, some argue I still am :). Every batch is a little different so simply using a temp or ABV as you guide is very hit and miss. Collecting in small batches and tasting and making cuts is where you will end up eventually.
Speed of output and trusting your nose and taste buds are the key.
Welcome to the rabbit hole and enjoy the journey

Thanks, will do.

[The Stig]

News flash , kegland do not make the still , a factory in china copies the design and they make them and ship them off to kegland to sell

[Nuggerto]

News flash , kegland do not make the still , a factory in china copies the design and they make them and ship them off to kegland to sell

Yes I should have said 'sell the still', I don't think they make anything.
I would think the video tutorial on their website would be how you're supposed to use it though.
And the one they copied, the Pure Distilling unit has the same instructions.

Cheers.

[The Stig]

I would think the video tutorial on their website would be how you're supposed to use it though.
And the one they copied, the Pure Distilling unit has the same instructions.

All these videos show is that the guys making them (the videos) dont have a clue how to run a still.
Thats why this forum exists, to right the wrongs out there

[Wellsy]

Hello nuggetto
They make the vids to get the sales as ppl want to explore to potential.
The good news is mate with just a little effort you can produce stuff that not only you can enjoy but something you can be proud to share. It like eating an elephant you just do it one bite at a time :)
It takes a couple of reads to digest everything in the newbie section but once you try and follow the process of cuts it definitely gets easier, and there is a real sense of accomplishment when you do get it right :)
Hang in there and try it and you will soon be on the road to success

[harold01]

wellsey
I am very inquisitive on your findings of what an elephant tastes like as I am not as adventurous as you, just a steak eggs and chips bloke myself

[Nuggerto]

Hello nuggetto
They make the vids to get the sales as ppl want to explore to potential.
The good news is mate with just a little effort you can produce stuff that not only you can enjoy but something you can be proud to share. It like eating an elephant you just do it one bite at a time :)
It takes a couple of reads to digest everything in the newbie section but once you try and follow the process of cuts it definitely gets easier, and there is a real sense of accomplishment when you do get it right :)
Hang in there and try it and you will soon be on the road to success

Yes and thanks, have started the journey...

[MarkChap]

I have not used the still you are using, very nearly bought it to start with, but here is some input from a complete newbie, only been distilling a few months,

You say you are using the 1.0mm nipple, from memory you should be using the .6mm nipple for reflux spirit runs
1 - Those Kegland/Still Spirits/Turbo/Keg King stills are marketed to the new users as a quick and easy way to distil, hence the start at this temp, finish at that temp, run through a carbon filter (add on sale), job done instructions.
2 - The instructions are are designed to get the quickest sale they can, made by people that have probably never spent any amount of time actually distilling a good product.
3 - They instruct you to distil to a temp because that "should" get you into the hearts and produce a "decent" product at the end of the day, run it through a filter and it is even a bit more "decent. They don't have to get into the intricacies of making cuts to find the best of your run
4 - These stills seem aimed at those that want to knock out maximum product, with minimum effort to make quick, easy, cheap booze.

Different Still, different result I would guess is the main reason for your lower yield from the same wash, when running to temps

I spent many a long time, months, on these forums and Youtube (another whole minefield) before I invested in a still (ended up making a CCVM)

As I said, these are just my thoughts, a total newbie, trying to make the best booze I can

[AdrianCopper]

I’ve been using a Turbo 500 and sugar wash for more than 10 years, I always get around 4 - 4.5lt of 90%+ spirit out of it. Nursing the water flow was getting to me so I bought a Alcoengine FM reflux copper top for the Turbo boiler. Using the 1mm output restrictor and following the video tutorial - turn the water on at 50c, open the output tap when the temp stabilises - all worked perfectly except I’m only getting 3 - 3.5lt out of it before the temp goes over 80c. It’s not an issue, I’m just wondering is that normal and what difference would the .6mm output restrictor make? I did search here but there was so much conflicting information I couldn’t decide if my output is normal or I’m doing something wrong. Thanks

Is it just me here who is seriously surprised that he was getting 4.5lt of 90%+ from a single run of the t500 reflux column?

That is a huge yield and would be impossible for most people unless you was pushing the wash to high abv. What was the starting abv of the wash?

4.5lt of 90%+ from a single run of the t500 is over 9lt of diluted 40% neutral.

The 3-3.5lt is far more reasonable.

I yield on average 2.9lt of 90%+ from a single run of my T500 though I do take a big heads cut!

[Nuggerto]

I’ve been using a Turbo 500 and sugar wash for more than 10 years, I always get around 4 - 4.5lt of 90%+ spirit out of it. Nursing the water flow was getting to me so I bought a Alcoengine FM reflux copper top for the Turbo boiler. Using the 1mm output restrictor and following the video tutorial - turn the water on at 50c, open the output tap when the temp stabilises - all worked perfectly except I’m only getting 3 - 3.5lt out of it before the temp goes over 80c. It’s not an issue, I’m just wondering is that normal and what difference would the .6mm output restrictor make? I did search here but there was so much conflicting information I couldn’t decide if my output is normal or I’m doing something wrong. Thanks

Is it just me here who is seriously surprised that he was getting 4.5lt of 90%+ from a single run of the t500 reflux column?

That is a huge yield and would be impossible for most people unless you was pushing the wash to high abv. What was the starting abv of the wash?

4.5lt of 90%+ from a single run of the t500 is over 9lt of diluted 40% neutral.

The 3-3.5lt is far more reasonable.

I yield on average 2.9lt of 90%+ from a single run of my T500 though I do take a big heads cut!

I've been using a T500 for 10+ years, I put down a brew every few months.
I have never gone into the science of it all like you blokes do. Like thousands of other Australians, it has just been a way to make cheap alcohol.
I have always used 8kg of white sugar made up to 25lt with water and added Turbo 48 yeast. I have a heated stainless fermenter and set the temp at 22 deg (as per the yeast instructions). I leave it for a week then run it through the still. I throw the first 100ml away, keep the cooling water output temp between 55c - 65c and keep the rest until the cooling water temp becomes unstable. I'm guessing a lot of you will roll your eyes at that formula, but that is the way I was taught from the home brew shop when I bought the Turbo 500. I have quite a few mates that do exactly what I do and get the same results = 4 - 4.5lt. I'm surprised you find that surprising... Youtube is full of people doing exactly that and getting the same results. The reason for my post was because the new Alcoengine reflux top is producing less output - 3 - 3.5lt which doesn't match the tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LG8_stIkKC8&t=580s
The output doesn't bother me, I was just concerned I was doing something wrong.
There seems to be two different types of people using stills, those that are into it as a hobby - the knowledge, skill level and quality of product is off the charts.
Then there are those that make cheap piss, like me, but I'm slowly transitioning to the 'other side'. It is a steep learning curve.
Thanks for all the replies.

[The Stig]

If you’re happy with what you make that’s fine , everybody assumes you came here looking for info on how to make a better drink.
If that’s not your intention fine , go back to YouTube and Facebook .
There’s plenty of info here for people doing turbos but do not argue with people trying to help you out .
I have no problem pushing people out the door that want to argue .
Your choice