stripping run confusion

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jwl
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Joined: Mon Nov 22, 2010 8:19 am

stripping run confusion

Post by jwl »

Hi Guys
As my normal state is one of confusion silly questions in also normal for me. So here it goes. I have a 50 mm 1- 1/2 meter fractionating column still (Nixon-Stone) packed with SS scrubbers. I like the idea of double distilling. To do stripping runs do I need to remove the SS scrubbers when I do?
I pulled them out on my last batch using Birdwatchers recipe but just was wondering if I really need to.
Thanks in advance
Bayou-Ruler
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Re: stripping run confusion

Post by Bayou-Ruler »

jwl wrote:Hi Guys
As my normal state is one of confusion silly questions in also normal for me. So here it goes. I have a 50 mm 1- 1/2 meter fractionating column still (Nixon-Stone) packed with SS scrubbers. I like the idea of double distilling. To do stripping runs do I need to remove the SS scrubbers when I do?
I pulled them out on my last batch using Birdwatchers recipe but just was wondering if I really need to.
Thanks in advance


I would say take the packin out.
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jwl
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Re: stripping run confusion

Post by jwl »

Thanks, Thats what I will do then.
Prairiepiss
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Re: stripping run confusion

Post by Prairiepiss »

I'm going to disagree with BR.
I would leave it in.
If your intended end product is a neutral? And you are running your still as fast as you can safely. The packing isn't really going to slow it down. And what little amount of reflux you will get from leaving it in there. Won't do anything but help your end product. You will spend more time pulling the packing out and putting it back in. Then the added time (if any) a packed column for a stripping run will take.

Pot still products is a different story for some. That will take experimenting to figure out what's best for you.
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vetting
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Re: stripping run confusion

Post by vetting »

I take mine out for stripping runs in my boka. It slows down the run a fair amount even with an insulated column.
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Odin
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Re: stripping run confusion

Post by Odin »

Vetting,

Now that I think of it ... that is interesting. That the packing slows your strip run down. In a Boka you have as open a packing as possible. You knock down all the vapour at the top with the condensor. liquid falls down either on the packing (when packed) or directly back in the boiler (when unpacked). With an open draw off valve and the same wattage, you mite as well expect the packet version to deliver more/faster, since no (of at least less) vapour has to make a smaller trip from packing thru redistilling towards take off than it does from the boiler back up again.

But I have no Boka.

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vetting
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Re: stripping run confusion

Post by vetting »

My thought was that it never condenses at all until it hits the top and then all of it is collected. Very little should fall back down to the boiler.

On medium heat, a stripping run for 13 gallons - which produces 3 gallons of low wines at around 35 to 40% in about 3 hours (start to finish) on a 2" boka.
rad14701
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Re: stripping run confusion

Post by rad14701 »

Removing the needle valve is virtually a must for a stripping run... My 1.25" column will end up with excessive reflux even with the needle valve wide open so I always run strips with it removed... With it in place I have to throttle back on the heat and then end up with 180 proof spirits for almost the entire run that, although respectable, doesn't equate to a stripping run from a speed standpoint...
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