100L Bain Marie Noises....

[cob]

I use propane for stilling. electric for domestic hot water. when I use domestic hot water the

water heater always makes noises while reheating. try comparing your boiler noise with your

home water heater noise.

edited to clarify; propane for stilling, electric for domestic hot water. electric is what makes noise.

[7bruno7]

LWTCS,
Ditto on opening the valve during heat up to purge air…
After confirming with the manufacturer, yes, my kettle/boiler is rated for 15 psi.

Windy City,
Good to know because I am fermenting on the grain and will be distilling on the grain as well, so the mixer for the boiler will be running the entire time.

Cob,
My home water heater uses well water that has been softened via a water softener, and the water/vinegar mixture I was using while steaming the still was water straight from the well. Not sure if that would be an apples to apples comparison, but my electric element home water heater does not make any noise while reheating??

Question for everyone… In your opinion, is it necessary/recommended to take the still apart, mostly the bubble plated column, after every run to clean and let dry out, or is it sufficient to run water with a hose into the top of the column to flush everything out after a distillation run??

[cob]

Cob,
My home water heater uses well water that has been softened via a water softener, and the water/vinegar mixture I was using while steaming the still was water straight from the well. Not sure if that would be an apples to apples comparison, but my electric element home water heater does not make any noise while reheating??

Yep softened well water, and the electric water heater makes noises that can be heard

6' from the closed closet that it's in. just offering a possibility.

edited to clarify; electric water heater.

[Windy City]

A gas water heater will make popcorn sounds due to a build up of minerals and sediment in the bottom of the tank. The gas is heating the bottom of the tank but the water has to filter through the sediment causing flash heating and your noise. Trying to flush a residential water heater through the little boiler drain at the bottom is fairly useless and is the reason large commercial heaters have a access door near the bottom of the tank that we open to clean out the tank.

7bruno7
I never take apart my equipment and just use CIP to flush hot water after I am done running

[Demy]

Question for everyone… In your opinion, is it necessary/recommended to take the still apart, mostly the bubble plated column, after every run to clean and let dry out, or is it sufficient to run water with a hose into the top of the column to flush everything out after a distillation run??

II make small quantities, after each run demount the column, I clean, riassemble when needed. The dishes could accumulate water, perhaps it is worth disassembling to clean better, others could suggest differently.

[7bruno7]

Thanks for the reply Windy City and Demy...

Windy City,
I assume your CIP is a "system" you have on your still/column that has the small spray balls inside for cleaning??

Demy,
Yeah, I'm afraid my bubble plates will hold water after flushing the column as well, plus my shed I have the still in isn't heated, so having things freeze when it gets really cold will not be good too...