Distillate collection rate

[maxd43]

Hello to all. I am very new to this art, but I have finished my first batch (my only desire is to make the cleanest vodka possible). I have a couple of lingering questions that I hope someone can help me with, I could not find the answers elsewhere on the site:

I am running a reflux still (4 gallon stainless pot with 2 foot copper 1.5" column reduced to .75 into a condensor). I noticed that at 178 degrees, I am collecting at 2 tsp every 45 seconds. If I lower the temerature, nothing comes out. I can collect faster at just a slightly higher temp (around 182). Will the higher temp and faster collection rate reduce the Abv%? Will that also allow more nasties to make it through?

Also, If I remove the heads and tails to run in the next batch, should I just throw it on top of the completed wash when pouring into pot?

I used a dough mix for bubles on the seams: Do I leave it on when finished? Or should I try to chip it off? Or let the top of the pot soak in water and wash it off?

Thanks in advance

[maxd43]

Thanks for the reply.
ABV at 178 Degrees is 87-90%. I have a spirit hydrometer. The column is equalized for at least 45 min- 1 hour at that temperature. It took a very long time to get through the run. I have no problem with the amount of time if its required to make it right. However, if I can increase the temperature and collection rate, I would love to spend more time drinking and less time making .

Bottom line: I would like to collect faster, but I don't want to sacrifice quality.

[rubber duck]

With a 2 foot long 1.5in column your not going to be able to run faster unless you make some modifications. A centering ring or two will help with your collection rate and extending the column another foot or two will help with your purity.

I assume your running a Cm rig, 92- 93% is about all you can hope for. When I run a reflux rig I just toss the feints out.

[rad14701]

Is there any structured packing in your column and some form of reflux...??? If not then all you have is a simple pot still... Do you have a picture or a link to a picture of your rig...???

[maxd43]

I already have the copper mesh and the column is packed.

I can easily add three feet to the column. Is it ok to make the extension wider, maybe 2.5", then reduce to the 1.5" existing width?

What is a centering ring?

Will the extended column increase the collection rate along with the purity?

Thanks to all!

[rubber duck]

Extending to column will increase the purity, doubling from 2 to 4 feet might speed up your collection rate as 2ft is really short.

A centering ring or centering collar is basically a funnel of copper that slips into the column, and directs the reflux that's running down the sides of the column back into the center of the packing. Using these will give you a significant increase in run speed.

As for using 2 different size pipes I don't know.

[maxd43]

Thanks RD. I am going to extend the column and try to make it a bit wider.

[rad14701]

I know I'm not a mentor and I have complained about this but. I want to point out the plastic hose on the stills product outlet. Not good.

Sory for the post. Couldn't help but to point out the safety thing.

Your eyes are better than mine if you can make anything out from that distorted picture...

We'll let it slide, this time, Prairiepiss, but only because of your exceptional eyesight...

[maxd43]

Is this picture any better?

This is a sincere question: What is wrong with the plastic hose? I made sure to use a heavy grade drinking water hose. Should I run the copper all the way down? I will gladly utilize any safety information I can get. I am adamant about remaining as safe as possible.

Back to the original question. Does increasing the temperature to generate a faster collection rate, say to 182 degrees, reduce the quality of the distillate? I also noticed that I can tell more about what is going on inside the pot by the rate the distillate is running out, rather than the actual temperature.


Thanks as always.