Hot Plate heater for 5 gal boiler pot

[Turbo6ta]

I have a 5 gallon boiler pot I plan on using. The cheapest and easiest way to heat the wash would be on my glass-top style electric range in my kitchen. I am actually willing to use the kitchen electric stove, but I keep reading that distilling spirits in the house is dangerous, so my other alternative is buying a 1,500 watt portable hot-plate and distilling in my garage.

I was looking at the hot plate in the link below ($27) until I read that it has a weight capacity of 11 Lb ... Jeese, 4.5 Gal of wash + the weight of the still's column weighs a hell of a lot more than that.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Countertop-E ... om=/search

I don't want to use an internal type heating element, so it's either a hot plate that can handle the weight of the still + a full 5 Gal pot of liquid and not be damaged, or in the kitchen on the electric stove.

Any ideas that don't cost an arm and a leg ?

[shadylane]

Portable hot-plates cycle on and off to control heat, this will be usable for potstilling, but not if a reflux column is used.

[Turbo6ta]

Thak you Shady ...

My still does not have a Reflux column ... just your standard Liebig ‘Shotgun’ Condenser. The only thing in the vertical column is a sight glass.

[SW_Shiner]

Distilling in the house isn't anymore dangerous than distilling in the garage. Electric stove tops are not recommended for distilling as they don't operate how we need elements to work. Stove top elements are usually either full on or full off, which is fine for cooking, a steak doesn't really care if the temp changes by 10-15° multiple during cooking, its still gonna cook. During distilling, you want a constant power input to keep the rate of boil steady. The right kind of hotplate could be modified to achieve that. Surging causes smearing and frustration. Trying to come up with an easy analogy to help visualise it... Think of a water slide, or slip and slide whatever they are called in your area. You want water on it, but not so much that it washes away all the bubbles. So you can either stand there at the tap and turn the hose full on for a second then off again, and repeat. (This is what a stove top does with electricity) Or, you can set the tap to a small constant stream and not worry about it. This is why we build variable power controllers to control the elements using SSRs and not PID controllers which are also on/off.

Posted same time as shadylane

[SW_Shiner]

Have you ruled out gas completely? If you're planning on running in a garage that would probably be the easiest or less confusing way.

[shadylane]

Thak you Shady ...

My still does not have a Reflux column ... just your standard Liebig ‘Shotgun’ Condenser. The only thing in the vertical column is a sight glass.

A hot plate will work for your needs, the down side is the take off will fluctuate as the heater cycles on and off.
No big thing, just the nature of a hotplate. As Bubba would say "don't let perfection get in the way of success".

[NZChris]

As soon as you say you have a column, distillers will automatically assume you have a reflux column. You don't, you have a pot still with a riser.

The only way to find out if that hot plate will work is to buy one and try it. You will also need to use an SSR to control the power to it.
Turn the plate controller to full on and control the power with the SSR.


I bought one with the same type of simmerstat. The simmerstat did not stay full on even when running half of the Watts. I had to bypass it, which is probably illegal unless done by an electrician.

Another trap is that they also have an internal bi-metal thermostat that cuts out one of the elements in the plate so that it can't overheat. If you don't have an Ammeter measuring the current, you won't know if it has tripped unless you are experienced enough to work out what has gone wrong.

[Turbo6ta]

Yup ... I was thinking that a hot plate of at least 1,500 watts might be the ticket. But placing a 5 gal pot full of wash might be way too heavy for your standard hot plate ... That hot plate I gave a link above says it will support 11 Lbs ... Jeeeze, 4.5 gal of water by itself weighs 37.5 Lbs.

[NZChris]

When the internal switch cuts off an element, the available Watts is halved, so the 1500W plate may only be putting out 750W if you are unlucky enough to trip it. Only a trial run can tell you the answer.

[Saltbush Bill]

Liebig ‘Shotgun’ Condenser. The only thing in the vertical column is a sight glass.

Your terminologies need some work, it's either a liebig or a shotgun......not both.
People get confused, when you don't use the right wording, other newbies see this sort of thing and then start doing the same thing.

[BlackStrap]

Hey Turbo6ta;

The first still I operated was a 5 gallon stainless stock pot (boiler) from Wal-Mart on a hot plate.
It will work... like Shady commented

As Bubba would say "don't let perfection get in the way of success".

(This has a been a number of years ago and I see prices have gone up) I used an Induction style hot plate 1800 Watts link below.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GTZMHOW?re ... tle_2&th=1

Like the others have commented...Give it a shot and see what happens.

Be Safe & Have Fun
BlackStrap

[Turbo6ta]

Your terminologies need some work, it's either a liebig or a shotgun......not both.
People get confused, when you don't use the right wording, other newbies see this sort of thing and then start doing the same thing.

Well, I did some research on the internet, and since my condenser has more than 1 tube in it, I guess it is actually a Shotgun condenser (also called a Shell and Tube condenser) and not a Liebig condenser.

Right or still wrong ?

[BlackStrap]

You are correct Turbo6ta... That is a shotgun condenser you have pictured

[shadylane]

Yup ... I was thinking that a hot plate of at least 1,500 watts might be the ticket. But placing a 5 gal pot full of wash might be way too heavy for your standard hot plate ... That hot plate I gave a link above says it will support 11 Lbs ... Jeeeze, 4.5 gal of water by itself weighs 37.5 Lbs.

The pot is going to be bigger diameter than the hot plate and will over hang. Maybe use bricks or something to support some of the weight on the outer edge of the pot. It will take some shimming to get it right but it could be done.

[zach]

The first still I operated was a 5 gallon stainless stock pot (boiler) from Wal-Mart on a hot plate.

I also went this route to start. They key is the stock pot was rated for induction heating. The pot has a triple layer bottom which allows for even heat without hot spots. I can run uncleared flour washes or fruit pomace without scorching. The induction hotplate has power control, so no need to make one.

If Turbo6ta is using a Vevor boiler, it might not be induction friendly. There are plates sold to allow operation of non induction cookware on induction hot plates