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DBM,

Where did you ever find a bilge pump that was rated for continuous duty?

DBM,

reitteration or reiteration

As a Pot still, it looks fine, but do you need 3" on the condenser? seems like 2" would be overkill around a 1" pipe.

As a Reflux still, how would you control reflux? or even cause a controlled reflux action?

If the condensate drips on the thermometer it will throw the readings off and not be of much use. You might be able to get away with not pushing the thermometer more than half way into the column. I can't really say if 750mm is enough packing height as I have 1220mm. I have been meaning to add 3 the...

Seems to be a problem with your measurements. Should read in inches

Enlikil, I built a still like yours, both LM and VM. I have 48" of structured copper packing in mine and mostly just use the LM side. I have been thinking of removing the VM side (gate valve, liebig) and using the parts for a pot still. I like the simple looks of just a 5' column with the 1/4&q...

michaelb,

Read the Idophor link provided by Big J.
It states the Idophor just needs a 60 sec. contact time, no rinse and is undetectable at double strength.

Wow
Thanks MDB, Possum

Aidas Said:

That's why I think campden tablets (sodium metabisulfite or potasium metabisulfite) is the best way to go. Safe, easy, cheap.

I think the original question was for something that could be used as a spray sanitizer.

A quote from my local brew shop. Many people come into the store with preconceived ideas about brewing: things they have learned from friends or grandparents, or procedures heard in passing. This is all good, because it often means less that we have to teach them here in the store. But one thing tha...

UR,

After looking at it more, might be easier to swap the input and output (If it does not interfer with the reflux level). Then the product would push up through the botanicals. just might need a screen to keep them in

What's cool about this forum is seeing UR's mouse traps

Some of the best work you will see...

A wash can be infected and have the ethanol converted to vinegar by a bacteria (can't remember the strain off the top of my head).

The question is:

At what %abv does a wash have enough ethanol in it to prevent this infection?

Iodophor is a good sanitizer. just use caution as you do not want any on your skin and it will cause permanent damage to the eyes if you get any in them.

UR,

Could you put an U in the output line so it comes part way up the side of the basket then turn out horizontal to your cooler/chiller? This would control the level of the liquid in the basket.

If I remember right, either Grayson or Golden Pond posted some pic's of a very nice milk can setup about 2 months ago. Maybe you can do a search for it.

Tom

gulflarger yes you can do a stripping run first . but with a few added things and a little tunning you can do it all in one run and acheive between 90 to 95.5% I have no problem getting 95%+ out of my still. It does a very good job at separating ethanol from water, it's what is in that other <5% tha...

I am running a still that has both liquid management and vapor management, but it is an in-line design and not the off-set head. Everything seems to work just fine. When I want to use the LM side, I just leave the gate valve shut and use the LM output and needle valve, just the opposite when I use t...

You can run it at that compression ratio, but then you might be better off running a blended fuel.

Lumbee, More than just re-jetting your carb is necessary. You need to make sure your fuel system will not dissolve. Increasing the compression ratio of the engine will make a world of difference as ethanol has a higher octane rating than gasoline. You will be looking at around 13:1 ratio for top per...

Should we have a Sticky explaining that the word Malt has very little (or nothing) to do with the Enzymes that are required to convert starch to sugar?

I never really saw it as an issue other than with %abv readings. Since it is a liquid already, it wouldn't take much to cool it.

The push is for all soda fountains to go to a post-mix style instead of the older pre-mix style. It only makes sense as why pay shipping and storage on a pre-watered down product? Also allows some places to water down their soda by a simple head adjustment. How often have you ever had weak flavored ...

stoker wrote: but has everyone who has a ministill (Alex' design) warm spirit? It's not just the mini-still that has this issue, any design that the liquid does not flow through the condenser will be the same. Think of it this way, the vapor is hot, it condenses and immediately falls off of the cond...

Ahem MyDBear

Bujapat,
So sorry to hear of your loss. Words can never convey the feeling of loss you must be feeling. All I can offer is a toast too all of our dearly departed friends and a heart felt sorry to you.

Liquids do not burn, Vapors burn.

Heating the 40% liquid will cause the alcohol to come out in a vapor form pure enough to burn. Acording to one of Toni's calculators, a 40% liquid mixture will give you a 75.1% vapor.

Now as for myself, I have been impatient and ran a turbo sugar wash as soon as it was done fermenting, what a stench. I didn't notice anything different in the final product, but it sure did smell when I dumped the boiler afterward. EDIT: The tails smelled really bad also. Now I try to let a turbo s...

Be carful using a bilge pump as most are not rated for continuous duty.

Depends on what size and style of still you are using. If you are trying to run a standard 25 liter wash, you would be around the minimum for a pot still and very lacking for a reflux still.