Temperature

[Shinner73]

Is 180 degrees Fahrenheit to hot to run my still? I know you need at least 172, but will it hurt to run it hotter?

[Dnderhead]

depending on your still, but no you will just have a lower ABV.

[Shinner73]

Yea, I noticed that the ABV was lower. I just built this still it is a 7.5 gallon stainless kettle with 3ft tall 2in dia copper head with the cooling lines running through the column. I am still learning alot about it. I had a stove top, 2 gallon still before this, and this one seems a lot different. Thanks for the help, and any advice you could give would b appreciated.

[Usge]

The temp vapor comes off on a potstill is directly related to how much alcohol is in the pot. The higher the concentration of alc in the pot, the lower the temp will be when the vapor starts to come off. The lower the concentration of alc in the pot, the higher the temp will be before it starts to come over...up and to 212F (boiling point of water). As long as you have no vapor leaks, and your still is open to the atmosphere (ie., the output not closed off), you're good to go...all the way up to 212F. The 3 dangers are ....too high abv in the pot can be volatile (keep it between 40-45%), or having your still somehow pressurize by closing it off to atmosphere, or having a vapor leak somewhere . As long as you are around 45% or lower abv in your pot still-charge, and your still is open to atmosphere, and you dont' have any vapor leaks... you are generally safe to run it all the way up to 212F (water) ...although most people stop somewhere around 10-20% because collecting that last bit of alc takes a lot of energy.

Here are a few examples of things to avoid:
Putting a valve on your potstill somewhere in the vapor path and closing it off....will build pressure and blow the top of your still off sending boiling alc and vapor spewing all over the place.
Overfilling your pot with a highly foamy wash (like rum wash) that foams up into the neck and blocks it off....causing a pressure build up (see above)
Stuffing something (mesh, etc) too tightly into the column or lynearm or worm/liebig that causes enough back pressure to blow the cap off.
Running 60% or better in your pot and having the vapors ignite inside your still..blowing it apart and spewing liquid fire all over the general area (if it doesn't explode like a bomb and take out the entire wall).
A vapor leak...either from a joint not well sealed, or not having enough cooling in your condenser to knock the vapor down....fills the room with alc vapor which ignites and takes out the corner of your house/building.