I am currently using a 25L brew shop boiler for my Bok column and now want to use the boiler for a pot still with a 2" short column and leibig or worm condensor.
I have a 1380w element in the boiler.
Will this wattage be enough to run it as a pot still for a stripping and spirit run?
Do i need to install an additional smaller or larger or larger element so i can switch between the two?
What wattages do you suggest should be used for each purpose - stripping and spirits run?
I wasn't planning on using gas burners if i could help it.
how much power
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MuleKicker
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Re: how much power
You should be fine with what you have, just get your self some variable control for that element to tune it in during a good sprit run. You should be able to run it wide open for stripping, if you have a decent leibig.
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AKA MulekickerHDbrownNose
Re: how much power
Great thanks.
So i guess for the spirit run the wattage would have to be tuned for my setup so achieve a slow run? Can't give me a rough idea on what wattage would be required for the spirit run? 700watts?
Has anyone in OZ used the switches shown in the Complete Distiller book page 86, fig 7-16?
So i guess for the spirit run the wattage would have to be tuned for my setup so achieve a slow run? Can't give me a rough idea on what wattage would be required for the spirit run? 700watts?
Has anyone in OZ used the switches shown in the Complete Distiller book page 86, fig 7-16?
Re: how much power
I normally strip 6 gallon (23liters) on the stove top at 2,000 watts with a 2" pot head and leibig inside of 3 hours but that was as fast as it could knock down the vapor with a continuous cold water source. A 6 gallon 40% spirit run ran at about 900 watts for about 5 hours.
When I ran spirits in reflux mode it also took about 900 watts for 6 gallons, but when I insulated the boiler and tower with reflectix foiled bubble wrap it reduced the power to about 600 watts.
I don't know what kind of switching you are referring to but dropping the voltage from 240v to 120v will turn 1380 watts into 345 watts which would be a bit too small.
When I ran spirits in reflux mode it also took about 900 watts for 6 gallons, but when I insulated the boiler and tower with reflectix foiled bubble wrap it reduced the power to about 600 watts.
I don't know what kind of switching you are referring to but dropping the voltage from 240v to 120v will turn 1380 watts into 345 watts which would be a bit too small.
Re: how much power
Stimson, that diagram depicts combining two separate 120V circuits to attain 240V and although it can work I'd be a bit hesitant to build one of those boxes... Unless you have a good understanding of electricity and the wiring where you would be using one of these I would shy away from attempting to do so...