My first scorched batch

[Threesixzero]

So after many successful runs I finally had my first screw up. I have a 13 gallon pot still with a 3K heating element to heat my mash. In my rush, I turned up the temperature too quick and scorched particles onto the heating element

It's a unique thing seeing actual smoke coming out of your condenser. I noticed that there was a slight smell to begin with, but I distill in my basement and just assumed it was the smell coming from there.

I've tried finding agents to separate my mashes but I never get a very clear liquid to put in the still. Is my best option to still just bring it up to heat slowly? Or is there any other advice that you could give?

For reference, this was a stripping run and I was probably trying to rush it due to time constraints trying to get it warmer quicker

Thanks in advance for all the advice and I hope everyone has a great weekend

[8Ball]

I run propane under a copper pot. I squeeze mash through a paint bag and into the pot it goes. Sometimes I let it settle first. Bring up direct heat slowly. Works great except for all rye, I’ve given up on that challenge and buy a bottle once in awhile instead. Good luck.

[Threesixzero]

I run propane under a copper pot. I squeeze mash through a paint bag and into the pot it goes. Sometimes I let it settle first. Bring up direct heat slowly. Works great except for all rye, I’ve given up on that challenge and buy a bottle once in awhile instead. Good luck.

What's funny is that I have had no issues with rye yet. This was a new bourbon mash bill I was using

[PalCabral]

Your story sounds very much like my first scorch. 8 months later I can laugh at it, but when it happened, NOT! Oakstills 3kw element and 50L/13g milk can boiler. You tell me if there are more similarities? Could there be Rye in the wash? Maybe we shout out BINGO now?

Seriously, the thicker and hazier the mash, the more risk there is. Since I had my scorching, high rye Bourbon stripping run, I've switched from 1 3kw element to 2 ULD 2.5kw elements. I now run 3kw but with less w on each element, which is limiting the risk a lot, especially with the longer wavey ULD elements. I also run slower now, sometimes I dip into 3kw but most often I run at 2kw, half-half on each element. I really think splitting the heating onto two elements is the big difference.
¨
Clean the still properly. Vinegar and spirit run. Use caustic soda or similar to soak and then properly clean the element with PBW or smilar. The element is not a goner if you clean it well. But expect to be smelling the starting scorch all the time for a while! Paranoia. Learn to throttle down in the start and speed up when you are sure it's green light. Best of luck!

viewtopic.php?t=94663&hilit=scorching+palcabral

[Threesixzero]

Your story sounds very much like my first scorch. 8 months later I can laugh at it, but when it happened, NOT! Oakstills 3kw element and 50L/13g milk can boiler. You tell me if there are more similarities? Could there be Rye in the wash? Maybe we shout out BINGO now?

Seriously, the thicker and hazier the mash, the more risk there is. Since I had my scorching, high rye Bourbon stripping run, I've switched from 1 3kw element to 2 ULD 2.5kw elements. I now run 3kw but with less w on each element, which is limiting the risk a lot, especially with the longer wavey ULD elements. I also run slower now, sometimes I dip into 3kw but most often I run at 2kw, half-half on each element. I really think splitting the heating onto two elements is the big difference.
¨
Clean the still properly. Vinegar and spirit run. Use caustic soda or similar to soak and then properly clean the element with PBW or smilar. The element is not a goner if you clean it well. But expect to be smelling the starting scorch all the time for a while! Paranoia. Learn to throttle down in the start and speed up when you are sure it's green light. Best of luck!

viewtopic.php?t=94663&hilit=scorching+palcabral

You nailed it exactly. We have the same setup it sounds like. Luckily I caught it extremely quickly and there are no noticable issues with the still other than the heating element

And yes there was some rye malt in the mash about 3lbs in 5 gallon mash

What are you using for your column and condenser? I am using the 4" cone with the shotgun condenser

[zach]

Steam stripping is a good work around to avoid squeezing and scorching. Building a steam generator is not hard, but if you are limited to 3 kw of power input, then you might take advice about two elements at lower firing rate.

I would check if your element is ULWD (ultra low watt density), if not see if you can try to find one for the voltage you are using. I have a 5500 watt ripple style ULWD element rated 230 V which produces only 1500 watts on 120V . I have two of these in a brew kettle that I use for making beer occasionally where I have only 120 V power.

[PalCabral]

What are you using for your column and condenser? I am using the 4" cone with the shotgun condenser

BINGO! (I think we have a winner down on the left isle...)
When I scorched I was using a 2" column and condenser. These days I use a 4" head that reduces to the 2" column. From there on the same, see no need to change the condenser.

However, I have started to use YLAY. It seems the enzymes and shit that comes with it reduces the risk for foam ups. I am hoping that also means it is reducing the risk for scorches from the Rye. At least there's been no reports of problems stripping YLAY washes as far as I have seen. This spring, at some point, I will make a rye whiskey.

[Threesixzero]

Steam stripping is a good work around to avoid squeezing and scorching. Building a steam generator is not hard, but if you are limited to 3 kw of power input, then you might take advice about two elements at lower firing rate.

I would check if your element is ULWD (ultra low watt density), if not see if you can try to find one for the voltage you are using. I have a 5500 watt ripple style ULWD element rated 230 V which produces only 1500 watts on 120V . I have two of these in a brew kettle that I use for making beer occasionally where I have only 120 V power.

I wish I had the room for steam. I have talked to a good bit of distillers around me and it's all distilled on the grain with steam

[Threesixzero]

So after waiting for the PBW to show up I finally got around to cleaning my element. I am pretty surprised how clean I was able to get it

Now hopefully I can get a couple batches going and get a run or two in

PXL_20251223_000419618~2.jpg

[Tammuz]

I'm not familiar with heating element designs. Pero if that's not a ULWD element replacing it would help some. I almost bought an element with that shape that wasn't a ULWD.

[PalCabral]

I'm not familiar with heating element designs. Pero if that's not a ULWD element replacing it would help some. I almost bought an element with that shape that wasn't a ULWD.

I had and still have the same type of element that threesixzero has, and I don't believe it's a ULWD, and it scorched. However, I have since started to use Dernord's long wavey elements and I believe they are ULWD, distributing the heat more evenly. I've not had any issues as of yet, knock on wood. I still use the old element. It works in clean washes and for spirit runs, but when the wash is more turbid, hazy, risk laden, I will put it away and only use the wavey elements.

[Threesixzero]

I'm not familiar with heating element designs. Pero if that's not a ULWD element replacing it would help some. I almost bought an element with that shape that wasn't a ULWD.

According to their website i got the still from it is a ULWD element. I really think i just cranked it up way to hot and it was a very dirty wash. Just a rookie mistake that I have thankfully learned from

[SW_Shiner]

That element looks fine. I've had the same style in 3000W, 3600w and 9000w and have never had a scorch. Constant stirring during heat up helps a lot.

[shadylane]

I really think i just cranked it up way to hot and it was a very dirty wash. Just a rookie mistake that I have thankfully learned from

Been there and done that.
As you already figured out, remove as much solids from the mash as possible before distilling and start out slow while stirring.
Once the mash gets close to boiling, convection currents will keep the pot stirred and limit the odds of a scorch.
Elements like the one pictured have lots of surface area and that's good.
The bad part is with the elements having a narrow space between them crud likes to build up quickly in the gaps and begin to scorch.