Mash tun / stripping still

[tjsc5f]

So, I'll pulling water off my tap, from there it will go to a tee
one leg will feed the float
the other will go over to the product condenser.
As long as I put a valve on the condenser feed it should have enough pressure in the lines to make sure the float will work.

You can put a 15 psi check valve on the leg going to the product condenser, that would guarantee you have at least 15psi for the float valve all the time regardless of your flow going to the PC
Something like this:
https://a.co/d/2WRD454

[Bolverk]

Thanks, that's a good idea

[Bolverk]

I ordered that 1/4" nozzle educator... no point in dicking around with the 3/8" if it's not going to work...

Still need the plumbing and a few other misc parts... should be done soon.

Funny observation, now that I have 2" drain set up it's crazy how fast this thing drains... can't wait to fill it full of grain.

[tjsc5f]

I ordered that 1/4" nozzle educator... no point in dicking around with the 3/8" if it's not going to work...

I have all the parts on order too, I'm assuming we'll get it figured out one way or another LOL.

[Bolverk]

I have all the parts on order too, I'm assuming we'll get it figured out one way or another LOL.

Haha, right!

[tjsc5f]

What kind of adapters/fittings did you do here?

[Bolverk]

2-1 adapter

https://stilldragon.com/2-x-1-housing.html

[tjsc5f]

2-1 adapter

https://stilldragon.com/2-x-1-housing.html

Thanks, this looks a little more structurally sound for hanging the weight of the generator vs my current solution.

[Bolverk]

For the cost and complexity, I should have probably just bought one of these

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKbwaCS

[tjsc5f]

For the cost and complexity, I should have probably just bought one of these

https://a.aliexpress.com/_mKbwaCS

There is a post on here somewhere about that type of thing. From what I recall it was not usable out of the box, it didn't produce a steady stream of steam. I think the guy was tinkering with it to try to get it to work, but not sure if he ever did.

Besides that, yours looks way better than that ugly box

[Bolverk]

There is a post on here somewhere about that type of thing. From what I recall it was not usable out of the box, it didn't produce a steady stream of steam. I think the guy was tinkering with it to try to get it to work, but not sure if he ever did.

Besides that, yours looks way better than that ugly box

Good to know

Haha thanks dude

[zach]

I found this video with a 1/4" eductor with 11 kw of steam input in what looks to be a 55 gallon barrel



I just received a 3/8" eductor that I'm going to try with with 15 KW. It might be too loud.

[tjsc5f]

I found this video with a 1/4" eductor with 11 kw of steam input in what looks to be a 55 gallon barrel

After seeing that, I'm guessing my 5.5kw of steam will be disappointing through the 1/4 eductor

[Bolverk]

I found this video with a 1/4" eductor with 11 kw of steam input in what looks to be a 55 gallon barrel

After seeing that, I'm guessing my 5.5kw of steam will be disappointing through the 1/4 eductor

Thanks Zack

Damn even more disappointing with my 4500w...

[Bolverk]

It says it works with 10-150PSI. I don't know how you're planning on feeding it, but most modern home water systems are in the 50-90PSI range.
If you're planning on running a pump from a reservoir, something like this should do just fine
https://a.co/d/6D0PXTZ

Thanks for the advice on this, I was planned on running a water line to a tee, one side will feed the float, the other over to the condenser, while my house has 80psi pressure I wasn't sure how that would look pressure wise with just a trickle running through. This will keep pressure on the float side and I can make the output to the condenser controllable on a gate valve

[NorthWoodsAb]

On your educator. I have been planning a steam rig as well. Steam wand coming down to a tee with branch off to each side. Using mig wire tips as nozzles. .6mm, .9mm(.035"), 1.2mm (.045") and 1.3mm (.052") are common sizes, available here at any welding supply for about $1.00 ea. All use common 8m thread. So it would be easy and cheap to dial in. If oriface is too small a drill bit could fix that. I figured two or possibly 3 on each branch, 180deg opposite on x axis with a slight upward angle would inject steam up into beer and create a swirl in the liquid.
Just an idea I haven't tried yet to see if it's viable but is affordable.
Cherrs

[tjsc5f]

Thanks for the advice on this, I was planned on running a water line to a tee, one side will feed the float, the other over to the condenser, while my house has 80psi pressure I wasn't sure how that would look pressure wise with just a trickle running through. This will keep pressure on the float side and I can make the output to the condenser controllable on a gate valve

Looking good! When are you going to fire it up?

[Bolverk]

On your educator. I have been planning a steam rig as well. Steam wand coming down to a tee with branch off to each side. Using mig wire tips as nozzles. .6mm, .9mm(.035"), 1.2mm (.045") and 1.3mm (.052") are common sizes, available here at any welding supply for about $1.00 ea. All use common 8m thread. So it would be easy and cheap to dial in. If oriface is too small a drill bit could fix that. I figured two or possibly 3 on each branch, 180deg opposite on x axis with a slight upward angle would inject steam up into beer and create a swirl in the liquid.
Just an idea I haven't tried yet to see if it's viable but is affordable.
Cherrs

Thanks, yeah if the educator doesn't work I'll probably try something like that

[Bolverk]

Looking good! When are you going to fire it up?

Shortly after the educator gets here, which should be in a few weeks hopefully.... I suppose I could make a make shift steam wand just so I can do something.

Otherwise the missing spools I need for the thumper side should be here tomorrow.

[tjsc5f]

Shortly after the educator gets here, which should be in a few weeks hopefully....

I was surprised, I ordered a 1/4" eductor off aliexpress on Feb 2nd and received in on Feb 12th - way faster than I imagined lol.
I ordered some electronics widgets for a new wireless controller at the same time, but they haven't even shipped yet

[tjsc5f]

Otherwise the missing spools I need for the thumper side should be here tomorrow.

Nice looking setup

[Bolverk]

Thanks! I'm hoping to be able to do single runs with the thumper for a more pre-pro style whiskey

Yeah, I think the order hit just as Chinese New Year, so everything is delayed a few weeks

[Bolverk]

Just need do the steam wand, thumper tube, and hook up the water supply now

[zach]

I like it !!!

A heating element in the thumper would help speed up the warm up. You're probably going to need some insulation, with only 4.5 kw.

[Bolverk]

I like it !!!

A heating element in the thumper would help speed up the warm up. You're probably going to need some insulation, with only 4.5 kw.

Thanks!

I was only planned on starting with 1 gal in the thumper, and that's not enough to cover the elements (need 3 gals to be safe). 1 gal should heat up pretty quickly. If the HD Thumper calculator is close, it's only like 20 mins with 1 gal.

Yeah you're probably right, I suspect I'll have lot of heat loss.
But... the added passive reflux could help with proof so I'll play it by ear and see how she does that first run or two. I'm hoping to hit 60% final spirit with a 8% beer, but that may be optimistic.

[tjsc5f]

Yeah you're probably right, I suspect I'll have lot of heat loss.
But... the added passive reflux could help with proof so I'll play it by ear and see how she does that first run or two. I'm hoping to hit 60% final spirit with a 8% beer, but that may be optimistic.

Have you played with this calculator at all? https://hobbybrennen.ch/Rechner/en/PotstillThumper.html
I know haggy was working on a version with 2 thumpers, but I don't think it ever went live.

If I'm following you correctly, and with the data in the haggy calc image you posted, you're planning on putting 12gal of 8% wash in your mash tun/stripping still, 1 gal of water in your thumper and heating the whole thing with your 4,500w steam generator?
It looks like that would not work very well, if this calculator is correct.

[Bolverk]

Have you played with this calculator at all? https://hobbybrennen.ch/Rechner/en/PotstillThumper.html
I know haggy was working on a version with 2 thumpers, but I don't think it ever went live.

If I'm following you correctly, and with the data in the haggy calc image you posted, you're planning on putting 12gal of 8% wash in your mash tun/stripping still, 1 gal of water in your thumper and heating the whole thing with your 4,500w steam generator?
It looks like that would not work very well, if this calculator is correct.

Nope, that's a new one for me.
Thanks, I'll play around with some different scenarios and try to come up with something that makes sense.

Yes that was the plan, for the first run until I have some feints I can add.

What would you recommend?

[tjsc5f]

What would you recommend?

Without any low wines or feints, I'd probably just do a stripping run and bypass the thumper.

I think you said you have an element in your thumper? And it looks like your valves can block off the thumper from the stripper? You could put the low wines from the stripping run in the thumper and just do a double pot still for this round, if that's the case.

[Bolverk]

Collecting down to 50% combined doesn't seem too bad, depending on how it tastes/smells

[Bolverk]

What would you recommend?

Without any low wines or feints, I'd probably just do a stripping run and bypass the thumper.

I think you said you have an element in your thumper? And it looks like your valves can block off the thumper from the stripper? You could put the low wines from the stripping run in the thumper and just do a double pot still for this round, if that's the case.

Yes, that's exactly what I have
That's a good idea, I'll do that for the first run, thanks!