by LikkerSheWillLoveIt » Sun Feb 14, 2021 5:18 pm
So I did my sac run yesterday and a TPW single reflux run today. It was only one ferment so a 22ish L charge. All happened buy the book and I had the controller set at 75ish % 180 on the display. Taking off beautifully at 93%. Cutting every 200ml and there is a line in the sand with the smell of the jars right off the still. Off take temp was 32C with the new PC. “Vapour” temp measured as close to the bottom of the cone as possible was steady at 82C. Collection was steady.
Then I saw what appeared to be a leak inside the still. On closer inspection the distillate was “re-boiling” (for want of a better term) I figured not enough vapour condensing to cool the distillate at the top. Cranked up the power to 100% and sure enough more vapour collected and condensed and cooled, and although it showed no signs of stopping, it continued to output at the same rate, and the “re-boiling” ceased and it continued like it had previously.
My cooling water on the back end maintained around 32C (I had it cranking). Now, when I figured I was close to the end of the run, I smelt the next jar, and once again line in the sand, dog fart, wet hay smell, then I looked up and I saw the same “re-boiling” ever so slightly beginning again, I took off another 100ml and there was definitely an increase in the “re-boiling” Knowing I was well and truly into the tails I shut it down.
If anyone wants to offer advice on driving this thing, please chime in. I’m very happy with the results. Output speed, ABV and smell straight off the still, and quantity all exactly where I had hoped.