Still problems

[Cheyne]

hi guys,
I am currently using i think what many call an ultra pure 5L reflux still(i think its like a small Bokakob?)that i have had for a few years.
I have never had any problems with it except for now...although it hadnt been used for about a year due to moving state. My problem has been with the last 2 runs i put through it....after running the same as normal for about half the run ive noticed it sounds like the wash is boiling up into the collum. after this happens blue distillate come out which i understand is from ammonia from the corrossion of the copper. Does anyone know why it is boiling up and how to stop it? The wash that i was using was just a normal sugar turbo wash(still spriits tripple distilled yeast). Now this is the first time i have used the tripple distilled yeahst as i usually just use the general one. Could this have contributed to it boiling up? And i gather i should do a dilute vinegar run to try clean the still out? Any help would be great, i have the rest of the wash on hold....thanks.

[Dnderhead]

left over nutrients,can cause the blue distillate, left over sugar can cause foaming and boil overs.
I sagest do not use turbos ,and make sure the wash has fermented out dry.

[rad14701]

Too much heat + Too much leftover nutrients + Too much unfermented sugar = Recipe for disaster...

Dnderhead nailed it...

Hopefully, you tore down the entire rig for cleaning and inspection after such a long time in storage... Sounds like it needs it again...

[rubber duck]

You just moved. The PH of your new water is the root cause of this problem. It doesn't matter what yeast or what recipe you use this problem will persist until you get your ph under control.

Use one of the tried and true recipes, I like the death wish but I hear the all bran is good to. Do some studying on mash ph and it's effect on fermentation.

[Cheyne]

thanks all
the unfermented sugar and leftover nutrients i already knew leads to problems, but didnt think that would be the problem because my hydrometer readings were correct for several days before i distilled. As for the temperature well it has an element so i cant really control that unless i keep turning it off and on. The PH is something ill have to look into. i also have a non turbo wash waiting to be distilled so ill try that out after i give the still a good clean out.

[rad14701]

As for the temperature well it has an element so i cant really control that unless i keep turning it off and on.

For a reflux still a power controller is pretty much a must-have... You need to be able to control the heat input to keep the reflux column in balance (equilibrium)... Even trying to find just the right element won't work because the amount of heat will need to be adjusted throughout the run...