Heating Issues

[Musirio]

Hi, I'm new at distilling and I have a few questions if someone could help me.
I purchased a pot still from new zealand that has an element inside the pot.
Since the still is from New Zealand, it requires a setp-up converter. In order to
avoid the costs of a 3000W step-up converter I just decided to purchase a pot
of similar size and just use it on my stove top. I have a book on distilling that
informs me to collect the alcohol at 4 different temperatures.
The book advises as follows:
First run - Start collecting between 76 degrees celcius - 82 degrees celcius
until you reach 96 degrees celcius.
The second, third and fourth runs are similar but the temparatures at
which you collect differ a bit.
The problem that I'm having is that nothing begins to collect at these temperatures....
I only begin collecting at around 85 degrees celcius...
I'll list the variables...
- The info that came with the still advised me not to put the thermometer in the liquid
- I seal the edges of the still with flour and water

The slower I heat the pot is it better ?
What heat setting should I use on the stove top.


I'm concerned that maybe my temp read is off.

Greatly appreciated if someone could help me out.

[Dnderhead]

misinformed,, if your taking a vapor temps, it will be somewhere between that of alcohol and that of water.
alcohol is 78.3 so it will be above that and below that of water 100c.this will depend on how much water/alcohol.
as the alcohol goes up as in a second run.it will change closer to that of alcohol.

[Mr.Spooky]

welcome Musirio, sence you are new to distilling,,, take that book, and slide it up under the wobbly table,,, and start your adventure here at HD.
got a few questions,,
what are you wanting to produce?
what wash/ mash recept did you use?
got any pics of your set up?
all of these questions will help us help you!
stop by and visit the "potstill distillation and design" section of the forum to get a better fill of what you are working with.. the "tried and true" section is a great place to get a few recepts that are,, well,,,, tried and true.
and while your here,,, if you havent already,, drop a line on the introduction section and introduce yourself.
iv got to be honest,,, if your looking for a quick answer, you might try the guys at expert V#%&#@. but if your wanting something that you can be proud of, stick around and read!
Mr Spooky

[Musirio]

Thanks! How do I know when to start collecting without any methanol ? I distilled 4 bottles of white wine..

[Dnderhead]

unless you brewed sawdust there wont be much methanol in it,,,but this mite help---
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=11640

[scotty]

I was wondering what the new zealand specs are?? if the element is 240 volts, how mant watts is it.-- Is it a screw in type element etc??

[Musirio]

The pot already has the element screwed into it. It's 250 V and 10 Amps. 2500 Watts.

[Dnderhead]

that element will work on 240v but you should have a controller.you also can use on 120v but you will have just 1/4 of the watts.
or 625w that mite be enough after heat up?

[scotty]

i was wondering if the new zealand 250 volts is supplied from 2 individual 125 volt lines or just one 250 volt line???

I have been searching for a drawing of the breaker panel with no luck.

[Dnderhead]

as far i understand one. if that is where you are then you will need to work from that.
here in the states we have what is called "split phase" much like using a center taped transformer.

[scotty]

as far i understand one. if that is where you are then you will need to work from that.
here in the states we have what is called "split phase" much like using a center taped transformer.

Too bad DH. i thought he might be able to grab 125 volts fron just one of the lines .

I did read somewhere that the supply to a home breaker panel had 2 breakers. I guess they meant 2/250 volt lines in. I really wished that i could have found a picture of the innards of a new zealand household breaker panel.