Search found 15 matches

by dmachura
Sun Sep 13, 2020 3:27 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Clean Sugar Wash Necessary?
Replies: 19
Views: 3137

Re: Clean Sugar Wash Necessary?

When you say "I'd rather dedicate a whole day to make a large amount of neutral from low wines than waste multiple days doing slow spirit runs on wash" if you were to do a slow spirit run how slow is slow? Also how fast would you go on a stripping run? And how quick do you distill on low w...
by dmachura
Sun Sep 13, 2020 6:38 am
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Clean Sugar Wash Necessary?
Replies: 19
Views: 3137

Re: Clean Sugar Wash Necessary?

Thanks for all in info, I was under the impression that when using a reflux still that stripping and spirit runs were not necessary. Thanks again!
by dmachura
Fri Sep 11, 2020 3:41 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Clean Sugar Wash Necessary?
Replies: 19
Views: 3137

Re: Clean Sugar Wash Necessary?

So what I gather from what has been said is; you are better off double distilling than worrying about the sugar wash ingredients? Are both runs at 95% product? or can you run the first one faster at a lower %? Also going from 23l in the still to 6l in the second distillation does this affect how you...
by dmachura
Thu Sep 10, 2020 4:11 pm
Forum: Sugar
Topic: Clean Sugar Wash Necessary?
Replies: 19
Views: 3137

Clean Sugar Wash Necessary?

Using a reflux still I can produce 93% product using birdwatcher's sugar wash. The product I produce seems quite clean to me, so my question is; can I get even cleaner product using a different sugar wash recipe?
by dmachura
Wed Jul 01, 2020 4:08 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Why does PID control work?
Replies: 90
Views: 10326

Re: Why does PID control work?

I guess most of the responders only read the last post before they reply, take the last post claiming that z-bob gives a clear explanation, I read it and he is clearly saying the controlling the boiler temperature would be a fantasy, I've said many times I am controlling the vapor temperature at the...
by dmachura
Tue Jun 30, 2020 6:33 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Why does PID control work?
Replies: 90
Views: 10326

Re: Why does PID control work?

I wish someone would answer my question "why does PID control work?" instead of ranting about why it doesn't work. I will put forward my theory on why it works. As I stated, I am running a 2 inch x 40 inch copper column packed with about 20 inches of stainless steel scrubbers, no reflux co...
by dmachura
Mon Jun 29, 2020 4:08 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Why does PID control work?
Replies: 90
Views: 10326

Re: Why does PID control work?

I don't know why pid control brings such vitriol from some members, the technique produces an acceptable product (okay for me) so it obviously works. I will explain my procedure, but I'm sure most of you already have watched Georges videos know. My column is 2" x 40" copper tube packed wit...
by dmachura
Sun Jun 28, 2020 4:29 pm
Forum: Research and Theory
Topic: Why does PID control work?
Replies: 90
Views: 10326

Why does PID control work?

After introducing myself in the new to distillation and stating that I use PID control to run my still I was informed (more than once)that it is impossible to control a still using vapor temperature at the top of the still. But yet after following George Duncan's instructions I can get an excellent ...
by dmachura
Sun Jun 28, 2020 4:20 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Hi all
Replies: 8
Views: 1228

Re: Hi all

I'm moving this conversation over to research and theory forum..
by dmachura
Thu Jun 25, 2020 6:52 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Hi all
Replies: 8
Views: 1228

Re: Hi all

I believe you've described exactly why many people have problems with PID control. A properly tuned controller should not cycle after the first 4 cycles, (1/4 amplitude decay). I can control my vapor temperatures exactly, so the PID puts out only the power that is required. Its really not that diffe...
by dmachura
Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:35 pm
Forum: General Stilling questions
Topic: Is it really Methanol?
Replies: 22
Views: 6154

Re: Is it really Methanol?

Hey Martincash; just because its not posted in this forum it must not be true...most of the methanol opinions, yes opinions, in these posts are based on an individual that had a high school science class run their samples through a chromatograph. So lets all believe them, versus master distillers th...
by dmachura
Wed Jun 24, 2020 3:12 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Hi all
Replies: 8
Views: 1228

Re: Hi all

As a instrumentation engineer I am quite versed in PID control and would beg to differ with anyone that disagrees, especially if your using a reflux column still. If your using a pot still then the argument for not using PID control may be valid but I'm still experimenting with that.
by dmachura
Wed Jun 24, 2020 3:01 pm
Forum: General Stilling questions
Topic: Is it really Methanol?
Replies: 22
Views: 6154

Re: Is it really Methanol?

https://www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/198/bws/distillation-the-science-of-distillation https://www.whiskyandwisdom.com/bringing-balance-to-the-foreshots/ Read both links, they are quite clear, methanol is in fact more concentrated the fore shots; although still not at dangerous levels, of cours...
by dmachura
Wed Jun 24, 2020 6:24 am
Forum: Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware
Topic: temp control for mash
Replies: 8
Views: 1603

Re: temp control for mash

I've been using simple on/off temp controller and a length of heat tracing {make sure that the tracing doesn't have a thermo switch on it}. Put the temperature element in the mash and you can control the temp exactly.
by dmachura
Tue Jun 23, 2020 4:54 pm
Forum: ** Welcome Center **
Topic: Hi all
Replies: 8
Views: 1228

Hi all

After doing a lot of research I've built myself a 40 x 2 inch reflux still, using pid control works like a charm. I've now made 10 batches of neutral spirits at 175% using bird watches excellent sugar wash recipe. Thanks to bird watcher, odin, and george from Barley and Hops videos.