My first spirit run and photos

[ImaDKrook]

Hi guys finally did my first Spirit run after several stripping runs. I did three gerber runs stripping to get to the Spirit run. Had some problems but think I have a plan to correct all of them. I pushed boil up too hard but luckily Rad had told me to reduce the concentration to 40% and then another gallon of water for insurance. Total of about 6 -7 gallons. After liquid spewed out the top I recovered and turned the heat way down. I do not have the tasting skills necessary to tell what is good and what is bad. I made conservative cuts and poured the rest in a feints jug for another day. Gonna let time go by then check later on the final product.

My UJSSM is in it third generation and is just now getting some good taste to it. It is starting to cool off here so I do not know how many more I will get out of it. Time will tell. Here is three photos. The first photo is part of my FIRST Spirit run results with my fermenter in the background. The second is my rig with stripping head and the third is the full 40 inch column with reflux head and cold finger inside. All two inch except the take off which is reduced to 1/2 inch. I made these completely except for the column I ordered it from mile high. These are two different heads same pot. This has been a real learning experience for me and continues to be so. If I can build these you can too. Now the hard part getting to understand taste.


krook

[rad14701]

Congratulations, ImaDKrook... Sounds like you're well on your way... You'll have more spirits than you can drink in no time...

[booger68]

Nice fermentor there imadkrook wish i had one that big.Got me a 55 gallon plastic drum just have to figure out how to keep it warm.
good luck
booger

[ImaDKrook]

I just asked that same question today and the answer was a fish aquarium heater, heating blanket, heat tape or if not too cold just wrap in a blanket and let the yeast generate some heat. I am not sure what I will do. Most likely I will try to use fish heater but have not considered how to get the cord out of the fermenter. Will put some thought into this. I will research tonight and see how hot the tape gets to make sure it will not degrade or melt the tank. Oh it is not as large as you may think. If I remember it 25 gallon. Here is a news flash for all newbies. Big large volume fermenters make you have to work at this too hard. I think 5 gallons with some head room is plenty. 15 gallon tank would be about right. This way you do not have to do several runs or two large runs. It is convient to do a five gallon run. Ten to 15 gallons is just work.

[kiwistiller]

use a single electric blanket - really cheap to pick up and adjustable. insulate around the electric blanket with old blankets or whatever.

[The Baker]

I just asked that same question today
[how to keep the fermenter warm. The Baker]

and the answer was a fish aquarium heater, heating blanket, heat tape or if not too cold just wrap in a blanket and let the yeast generate some heat. I am not sure what I will do. Most likely I will try to use fish heater but have not considered how to get the cord out of the fermenter. Will put some thought into this. .

I had another job for the electrician so while he was there I had him cut off the moulded plug from the end of the cord, drill a suitable hole for the cord in the lid of the fermenter (it's a big fermenter with a wide lid), silicon the cord into the lid so that the heater hangs where I want it, and replace the plug with a new one.