First test run (pics) comments please G & A

[gary.angie]

Hi there People , Our first test run just a turbo yeast (head low in shame) about 20 liters wash .6 kg sugar
cleared and racked to still.
Fired up on LPG and first drops out at 79 -80 deg C
I have included a excel chart in BMP format hope you can read it .
Volume was good but still has a fruity flavor and smell probably due to the stuff i was not able to clean out . (loaned the still and it came back with burnt lees and sugar on the bottom ( sigh) tried to clean all of it but couldn't get access to some.
I'm going to do a hot wash 80 Deg c with caustic and ammonia wash as used in farm milking sheds. (sounds fun) failing that, it will be nitric acid.
Ran out of gas half way, so had to restart the next day , and it started again at the temp where i had finished 84 Deg c .
But it had a brandy type colour tint to it ?? We kept that second part separate.
spent the time testing and burning spoons tasting and feeling and shaking bottles while watching bubbles.
had 4 marbles in the still for sound effects ,works quite well for judging heat surges.
Heat was a problem as well , to close and to hot and to concentrated , i have to come up with a better solution.
Questions i have for every one.
would it be good ? to have a smaller copper pot still for the second runs , or keep using the big reflux.
What are the benefits of a thumper , and does any one have designs (internal and external ?
I know the vapor temps , but how hard should i boil the wash ? should it be just till vapor comes out the condenser and then back it off , or a continuous sort of simmer.
oh and sounds for the shed where by charlie Parr

cheers

Gary & Angie

[gary.angie]

Here it is , just a first i made up to keep track , may be missing some important headings , please make comments for improvements.

Cheers G & A

[Hawke]

Yes, looks like the burner could use some work. Need at least another inch, maybe two, of seperation. Definately need the air/fuel ratio adjusted.

I would say that most of the taste is from the burned on gunk in the bottom. I think I would try some Oxy-Clean with some washed gravel tossed in, before going to amonia or acids.

[plonker]

Great pics guys! Dont have the expertise to help, but I love the motorcycle engine shot... (running at 4000 rpm) *snort*

[tykenfitz]

I love your all SS set-up, and that liebig looks slick!

[gary.angie]

cheers for the comments ,
I soaked a caustic wash in her ( sodium hydroxide ) about 3 cups to 50 liters H2O and it sat over night , did a goos job on the burnt black. but there is still a brown stain in the top half, not sure if its that (beer stone) they talk about in kegs ?
But no more smell (thank the reverend for that)
Gave it a good rinse , then 20% solution of white vinager in 10 liters water , fired her up (fixed the heat distance and more O2 in the flame) nice and blue .
Let her run for about hour full bore for a good clean .
Going to run a sugar wash tomorrow and see how she goes on smell.

Cheers