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Update on the first run. We finally gave up on the controller after failing to get a sensible response from the supplier or prevent it from overheating badly, and went for just using the top coil to try and control the column gradient. A rough way of doing things however it seems to be working stabi...

Also be interested to see what gives with that situation. Have only completed two runs on the rig so far. The first, a little chaotic, was started with 5 galls of about 18% wash but had problems with the water pump which provides cool water to the condensing coil at the top of the column and also to...

Kept the 92% that was considered finally hearts, no off smell or taste at all. When cut down to 42% it gave 4 Lts. The rest, roughly 6 Litres was diluted with water and run again. This included the foreshots which had a very slight odor. The reason was that during our first run I had not had any wat...

With regards to the Heads Hearts and Tails I am misusing the terms, It was just my rough way of describing what was taken off, my caution causing me to take only what I considered the best. That was around 92. Without the sufed I was controlling the temp at the top by using the tap and controlling t...

Having cleaned out the keg and column with a citric acid solution and then rinsed it ran the 25 lts of wash which was done with 10 kilos of sugar and a packet of turbo yeast. Since I had not measured the starting SG I could not determine what the ABV was but conservatively estimated around 15%. The ...

Thanks for those items of feedback.The wash is clearing steadily by itself so I don't think I will bother to put any finings in, and under 40% for the low wine run is the figure I will use then. Had an idea that a vinegar wash might leave a smell, have managed to get some citric acid and will do it ...

Thanks for coming back on this Rad. Just got a call back from Sufed, our emails asking what had happened to our order had apparently gone into the spam box??? My calls to the answering device at the factory however at last heeded. There were none of that controller on the shelf so they were waiting ...

Have been working slowly through the process of producing a keg boiler to go with my stainless 3'' by approx 4' ss column with a six inch condenser coil in the top. I have already found a huge amount of great info on this invaluable website but greedy for more. As an old time ignorant pot distiller,...

Sam I have noted this message in the correction to the circuit diagram. It is unfortunately way above my head but I know a man to whom all will be clear...I hope. I have re-copied the circuit diagram above and understand that there will be a lag before obtaining a steady reading that will indicate t...

Sambedded that has been most kind of you, thank you very much for that information. Will get that set up, then I presume it will be some experimentation to find the Voltage reading that will give us the best drip/stream rate on the output. In that regard if I have it right I will be looking for a st...

Now that looks pretty, hope it runs OK. Thanks for that info on the controller,Sam certainly a relief. Well almost light at the end of the tunnel. The keg is finished, the new element, only one, is installed. The column is mounted and can be slid into the screw on base. Filled the keg with water and...

Like many no electrician. My friend who is doing this with me had a mate who was going to help us with the controller. He didn't/can't but told my friend to just get the BFM240-13 which as a unit would do the job we wanted. http://www.sutronics.com/acatalog/detail_bfm240_13.html" onclick="...

Thank you for the responses guys. Yup thinking about the marbles on the bottom after I posted and had come to that conclusion. Only be a direct heat to the bottom where those would agitate. Phase angle control is the way we have to go, I liked the analogy of the acelerator on the car accelerator goi...

I have looked through the site and searched but still have unanswered questions regarding elements. In the UK prices are generaly higher as well as a VAT ( value added tax rate) of 20% and no cheap large outlets such as Harbour freight to go to, so the elements I have been looking at are eyewatering...

Thanks Patch, I'll do that. Still searching the forum for any specifics on the application of heat to a wash. I think that a slow steady build up may be desirable for an optimum gradient within the column, but this is simply surmise. I have been in touch with element manufacturers here in the UK but...

I see on revisiting not much more has been added. Yes Ammo man that was useful as I am still grappling with the issue. I had managed to get a ss column made but as I had made a move, lost the boiler I was making. Have now after a lot of searching around been able to come up with a decent8 gall Keg, ...

Thanks PP, that's a relief. I was not looking forward to trying to take it out and install a double, or even triple coil, fascinating as it was to see how they were made. Presently looking for off-cuts of SS to make up an approximately 40Lt boiler. Had thought of trying to replicate your double elem...

Having read the thread on rolling copper condensers I have begun to worry that the condense and the top of my column will be insufficient for purpose. The build is a little rough, ss column and no high polish. The reflux condenser is around 8'' long. Was thinking of packing the outlet pipe within th...

Having grappled with the concepts of controlling the power to the wash rather than working on temps, and understanding the importance of the steady application of heat in order to produce a carefully grauated temp gradient within the column, this has all been most interesting and informative. My for...

In the process now of building the boiler. Have just edited out quite a large chunk of questions, all to do with wash temps, thermometer on boiler, and fast boiling, because more careful searching on the site has answered those, questions. It;s like the X files, the answers are out there. Any advice...

Have located some suitable copper mesh roll in Washington with Amphora, ordered and it is now en-route. I noticed that the gent who runs Mile High uses both those copper rolls in the bottom then rings on the top which he maintains give him a better result, your explanation of temp gradient within th...

Thank you PP will now look for the copper mesh. Frustrating day, found two large SS milk churns on ebay and was bidding at the final when I got called in for the morning face cancer removal. Lost the churns, at a very low price, a lump out of my face and chunk out of my ear. Still looking for a suit...

Having spent about 23 yrs in Saudi I found this activity to be a fascinating hobby and a point of pride to be able to produce premium wines beers lagers spirits and liqueurs that one's friends enjoyed and trusted. There were of course many who made to sell. These varied in quality and generally foll...

As a newbie, delighted by all this great information. In Saudi people kept very hush hush about their activities so it was all by guess and by God.

Done the spilling boiling hot liquid down the leg and over my foot, that kept me amused for months.

Great site, great thread, and great advice.

PrairiePiss (PP) this is a great thread/sticky and lots of great ideas here thank you for directing me. I am thinking of two separate water sources/ inputs for the condenser and for the mid column controller. For the condenser and wondering if I could make a re-circulating system with water drawn fr...

Thank you all for your kind welcome. Yes Kenya is still home though it has changed mightily over the years. I have a place down on the coast between Mombasa and Malindi. As there is an active brewing community down there I will not be too specific as it is frowned upon. The Changaa, or Pocheen, Whit...

First started producing alcohol in Libya in the late 60's. I arrived as Col Ghadaffi took over from King Idris, then banned alcohol. I began by making beer and wine, while steering clear of 'Flash' which some people made. I was pretty amateur and it was pretty rough. After three years deciding that ...