Warning for users of T500 boiler

[lampshade]

This note applies only to those using the boiler from a Turbo 500 still.

When I was just starting out I bought a Turbo 500. I quickly replaced the head with a pot still that I built and kept the boiler that came with the T500.

I only use sugar washes and have been plagued with burnt off flavors. To cover the off flavors, I only make fruit flavored cordials.

I first learned that the yeast in my wash was being burnt. So I made certain that my wash was crystal clear before distilling. This was a huge improvement, but I still had off flavors.

I began to suspect that my T500 boiler was at fault and was scorching my crystal clear Birdwatchers. Afterwards, l always need to wash the scorch marks off the bottom of my boiler.

So, as an experiment, I used the boiler to boil plain water. I noticed that this produced a C-shaped area where the bubbles formed. The OD of the C was 3-1/2" and the width of the C was 2" at its peak. I was surprised that the bubbles started to form immediately after I plugged in the boiler.

Hmmm.... maybe the boiler has a very hot and small hot spot, which could cause scorching. So I stripped a sugar-wash at only 1/4 power -- and here is the important part -- I used 1/4 power from the very start, when the wash is coming up to temperature.

The resulting product had the buttery heads taste (it was a stripping run) but no burnt off-flavors.

I think I will be modifying my T500 boiler to bypass the internal heater and add water heater elements. I will update this post with the results.