Id like to introduce myself...

[CrystalPistol]

Good evening ladies and gentleman.

I would like to stop by and say HI, i am a long time reader (maybe 18 months) and defiantly a keen learner and am very excited by this hobby.

I um'd and ah'd about what my first still should be and obviously when i started googling the T500 came up and thought well this looks like an ok place to start. but after researching a little more and taking my time with everything i have purchased what i believe is a fantastic start (correct me if i'm wrong?) from a fellow member on this site.

I would just like to give a quick shout out to him for not only being patient through my many emails adding and changing my mind on things but for even letting me lay by because i am a terrible saver even if i want something so badly

So currently i have a still dragon crystal dragon 4" with at the moment 5 plates (Defiantly plans to add more asap), with one of those new 4" super condensor's and pro caps all around. i also have a 50l milk can which i will be upgrading soon also and i run 200l washes at a time.

Currently as i type i am heating up my 3rd run through the still and as i'm learning i am defiantly loving this hobby more and more. i feel that creating my own high quality booze is an art from and i look forward to learning from the very helpful people that contribute to this site.

I do have 1 question first up... i am running cornflake whisky but am not wanting to start out at 90%+ because i wanted a little of the flavor coming across, how do i go about running the still for that?

Anyway that enough from me, id just like to say thanks again and look forward to chatting soon

CrystalPistol

[S-Cackalacky]

Welcome to the forums. If you haven't done so already, please read the links in my signature. Sounds like you've purchased a very nice rig. Should serve you well for a long time to come.

Good luck to you and stay safe.

[bitter]

Welcome to the site!

B

[cranky]

Welcome aboard, My suggestion if you want lower proof and more flavor is to shorten the stack, less plates, less reflux = more flavor. There should be a lot of info here about that. I love the look of the crystal dragon but man they seem pretty pricy to me and I've always wondered about the seals. Be nice to see some pictures.

[Mikey-moo]

You're definitely in the right place

Welcome.

[CrystalPistol]

Cheers guys appreciate it. I've read the "how to" for pictures but it still doesn't make sense to me. sorry to be a pain because id love to show you some pictures.

[cranky]

To post a picture first make sure it is small enough 800x800 pixels is max, I almost always use 600

then click "upload attachment

Then brows and select a picture and click "add file"

Then select where you want the picture to be in the text and click "Place inline"

And your done

It's really not all that hard but I know it can be confusing,

[thatguy1313]

For more flavor you want to reduce reflux, either by removing plates or reducing coolant flow to the reflux condenser. You can also collect deep into tails and throw that run in with your next run. Good luck!

[HDNB]

4" five plate? i'll bet you are not accused of doing things halfway very often are you?

welcome in. i can't help you with your question, but the flute threads will likely be a big asset to you.

cheers!

[CrystalPistol]

Cheers for the help. As requested photos of my baby, i added solid hoses this morning as i was having water pressure issues and leaks like you would believe so it makes it look even sexier now.

Let me know what you think....

Also on a side note ive dropped to 2 plates with the pro-caps and still getting 90%+ with a reasonable stream. they are defiantly worth the money. And the smell is fantastic.

[thatguy1313]

Good lookin rig! Try reducing coolant flow to the reflux condenser so that not all of the vapors are refluxed.

[Antler24]

Wow first rig a 4" 5 plate flute? Way to go man! That should last you a lifetime!

Also 200l washes are just over 50 gallons. On these forums rule is anything over 25 gallons is frowned upon as it's considered too big for hobby scale. Can't say I agree with the rule, but it's a rule none the less.

[DSM Loki]

Wow first rig a 4" 5 plate flute? Way to go man! That should last you a lifetime!

Also 200l washes are just over 50 gallons. On these forums rule is anything over 25 gallons is frowned upon as it's considered too big for hobby scale. Can't say I agree with the rule, but it's a rule none the less.

I believe that rule is about still boiler size, not ferment size.

[rad14701]

Yes, boiler sizing only as far as the 25 gallon rule goes... Many here do 50 - 55 gallon ferments, especially when doing all grain mashes... Others do multiple 5,10, or 15 gallon ferments...

[Antler24]

The man said he RUNS 200l of wash at a time, which is why I mentioned the size rule. Ya I could have worded it a little better too.

[andybear]

welcome and congrats on the still. What a beast
You should still be getting good flavours even at the 90% start. Are you ageing on oak? Your reflux condenser looks big so you will probably have to have a really slow coolant flow to it.

[CrystalPistol]

I should probally clarify i do 200l washes and i have a 50l boiler of which i run about 40l of wash at a time.

Wow first rig a 4" 5 plate flute? Way to go man! That should last you a lifetime!

Also 200l washes are just over 50 gallons. On these forums rule is anything over 25 gallons is frowned upon as it's considered too big for hobby scale. Can't say I agree with the rule, but it's a rule none the less.

I am a man that like to do things the best i can first time around, its a steep learning curve but i am learning everyday and thats the main thing

Thanks for the help guys much appreciated