Modifying bought still

[Fermentanator]

I'm having trouble uploading pictures, so I'll just describe for now.

My all copper bought still has a 400mm column, and Ive been told lengthening it will improve things alot. Done by adding packed tubing between the base and still head. Just wondering, is there a limit to effective length? Or is it skys the limit? What about having the column wider as well, then tapering to fit the top bit?

I'm also going to try and cool the column.

Hang on, heres a picture....fourth one down;

http://images.google.com.au/imgres?imgu ... n%26sa%3DG" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[kiwistiller]

don't try and cool the column, your still doesn't work like that - you should really insulate it. the practical limit is about 30:1 packed height to diameter.

[Fermentanator]

Yeah sorry, I did mean insulate.

Thanks for the tip kiwistiller, what do you think about having a wider column at the bottom the stepping down to smaller pipe? The packing material is stainless steel scrubbers, shouldd I stick with these?

Cheers

[HookLine]

This still?

http://homedistiller.org/image/puredistillinglarge.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Fermentanator]

Yeah thats the one mate.

[kiwistiller]

I can't imagine why it would be a benefit to make it larger at the bottom. SS is ok.

[Fermentanator]

Cheers Kiwi, appreciate the help. As for the packing, should I just stick with whats already in it?

[kiwistiller]

yup SS (stainless steel) is fine. some prefer copper as it helps get rid of sulphites but your column is copper so not a major worry.

[Fermentanator]

Cheers mate, are stainless steel scoureres ok from coles?

[olddog]

As long as they are all stainless steel they will be fine.

[Fermentanator]

Great. Thanks for the replies evryone, appreciate the help very much.

Haha, the advertisment for my still says purity 95% at 1.2L per hour, 100% money back garauntee! We'll see I guess, I'll run it without any mods first, just so I know where it's at.

[olddog]

If you have got a camera take a photo of your alcometer reading for evidence.

[Fermentanator]

Yep, will do mate

[Fermentanator]

Just another question, if I run a wash through and it still has flavours/odours, can I dilute the spirit back to 50% and run it through again? Or would I need a pot still for a stripping run? Just wondering if a second run is a good way to get neutral from a reflux?

Just looking at avoiding carbon if I can, but, its no huge drama if I have to use it, in case the still dosent put out its claimed 95%.

Cheers!

[kiwistiller]

Dilute and rerun as much as you like. I'd dilute to 40% though.

[Fermentanator]

Cheers kiwi. I'll go with 40%. So is that a general rule of thumb? If your still won't produce neutral in one run, dilute and repeat until it is neutral? I think with my still, at worst it would need 2 runs. Just dont want to pay the brew store for carbon!!

[rad14701]

Cheers kiwi. I'll go with 40%. So is that a general rule of thumb? If your still won't produce neutral in one run, dilute and repeat until it is neutral? I think with my still, at worst it would need 2 runs. Just dont want to pay the brew store for carbon!!

We dilute to 40% because alcohol at that percentage is (supposedly) not flammable... Therefore, if the were to be a catastrophic accident only the distillate vapor would present a threat and any liquid strewn about the work area would not burst into flames... So we are always starting out with a non-volatile liquid which continues to become less volatile as the run progresses... Plus you'll always have enough liquid left in the bottom of the boiler to avoid any possible scorching... It's a safety issue more than anything else...

And if running an internal electric heating element you always want to make sure you'll have enough water remaining at the end of the run to keep the element completely covered... A catastrophic element failure in the presence of alcohol vapor could be devastating if not deadly... Again, another safety issue...

[kiwistiller]

yeah if it is tasting skanky, just keep distilling it... the wash will probably make a bigger impact on taste than you expect though... If you haven't already, ditch the turbos. my favourite wash for neutral is DWWG, but it is more labour intensive than some of the other tried and trues.

[HookLine]

Reasons for diluting down to 40%.

http://distillers.tastylime.net/library ... 20Listings" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Scroll down to 'Diluting the Still Charge'.

[Fermentanator]

Cheers guys...whats the DWWG?

Also, my still has an element that never comes into contact with the wash. Pretty handy. I''l be working with the 25L version of birdwathchers sugar recipe, on the third page of that topic.

Thanks

[kiwistiller]

DeathWish's WheatGerm. found in tried and true.