Just wondering if using induction instead of my normal propane setup would work just as well if not better. I dont know much about induction besides the metal heats up instead of a flame heating the metal. My current still is a milk can still with a slightly recessed bottom, if it would still even work. My next question is since my still is all stainless(i know some stainless is ferrous and other are not) will the induction cooker heat up the entire still as in the pot, column, and condensers all the same time? Opinions/Experiences?
The cook top in question is 1500w and a steal at $55. Here
Induction heat source
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Switcher
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Induction heat source
Last edited by Switcher on Sun Dec 12, 2010 6:32 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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MuleKicker
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Re: Induction heat source
Im sure it would heat it up. But I am willing to bet that the source cycles on and off. Which for our purposes, is not acceptable.
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Dnderhead
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Re: Induction heat source
wont work unless your still is magnetic, as that is how those stove tops work.i believe they setup a high frequency
magnetic field.if the pot is not magnetic it wont work.
magnetic field.if the pot is not magnetic it wont work.
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Switcher
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Re: Induction heat source
I just went and checked to see if my still was magnetic since stainless is a steel alloy, its magnetic but i doubt if its magnetic enough to produce enough heat, or maybe i had a weak magnet.
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monkymate
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Re: Induction heat source
I used an induction hotplate made by Burton. Here is a link.
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CCoQ8wIwAw#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
It is 1800 watts and all of the heat is realized in the boiler. It does NOT cycle on/off and controlled temp very well. It has 10 settings, can be set by power, temp, or temp/time. I paid about $65 for it at Tuesday Morning (A surplus leftover store). I used an induction ready 5 gallon pot as the boiler. The control was spot on with the pot stripper head and I could control the stream size very well. Response time is instant. There are no flames or hot items to cause a fire. Power use is lower than a stove or hot plate for the same output. It is very efficient.
Now for the bad. The top is made of glass. I did crack the top with the pot when it was filled with 4 gallons. The unit still works but I will not be using it for stilling anymore. That was the only downside.
MonkyMate
http://www.google.com/products/catalog? ... CCoQ8wIwAw#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
It is 1800 watts and all of the heat is realized in the boiler. It does NOT cycle on/off and controlled temp very well. It has 10 settings, can be set by power, temp, or temp/time. I paid about $65 for it at Tuesday Morning (A surplus leftover store). I used an induction ready 5 gallon pot as the boiler. The control was spot on with the pot stripper head and I could control the stream size very well. Response time is instant. There are no flames or hot items to cause a fire. Power use is lower than a stove or hot plate for the same output. It is very efficient.
Now for the bad. The top is made of glass. I did crack the top with the pot when it was filled with 4 gallons. The unit still works but I will not be using it for stilling anymore. That was the only downside.
MonkyMate
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MuleKicker
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Re: Induction heat source
what is the "induction ready" pot made of? It has to have ferrus metal somewhere. Is it like a stainless plated? I know some stainless will stick a magnet, not sure what ones. Cool.
MK
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Dnderhead
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Re: Induction heat source
cheep ones are steel, better are stainless or aluminum with steel coating or insert pressed in,,best aluminum,steel insert then stainless inside..
they do not cycle,, the temp adjustment is accomplished by adjusting the curent.
they do not cycle,, the temp adjustment is accomplished by adjusting the curent.
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monkymate
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Re: Induction heat source
I was going to answer but Dnderhead beat me to it MK. He is right. Now take a weak refrigerator magnet with you when you go to yard or garage sales or shopping and if it sticks pretty good to the pot it will work great with induction. The 5 gallon pot I have for it has the tri-layer bottom that DH describes last and holds heat very well. It would probably work great as a range/stove/hotplate boiler due to the mass and thickness of the pot bottom.
But again the tops of these stoves are NOT meant for a 5gallon (about 50 lbs full) pot. Mine cracked with no movement of the pot. It was just sitting on it boiling. The crack doesn't seem to affect how it works but I will not be using it again for stilling.
Monkymate
But again the tops of these stoves are NOT meant for a 5gallon (about 50 lbs full) pot. Mine cracked with no movement of the pot. It was just sitting on it boiling. The crack doesn't seem to affect how it works but I will not be using it again for stilling.
Monkymate