Home Distiller

I have been reading peoples misstakes, here and there. And via different forums and PM's I realize that people are actually leaving their stills unattended while running sometimes. Isn't that really, REALLY dangerous? Or, I'll refrase that. I know it is, after reading what happens! But don't people know? Or, is it that they just don't care? Or, that people get cocky "I've used mine for years and know my still!" And start takeing risks, just because nothing happened........yet?

Or, is it even a problem? Maybe I'm just being an old woman here?

No, you are not being a nanny here. Leaving a running still alone is VERY dangerous.

H.

I've been reading another forum where someone suggests they need a thermometer with an alarm, so they can be off doing other things while their still is running.

They did not respond too well when they were told that it was irresponsible to leave it unattended, actually she had a big hissy fit...

I am not confident enough to risk my house and belongings for the sake of being lazy, or too busy talking to freinds on the phone whilst holding a baby with a smoke in my mouth.

Babysit it. Just stay there and bring some busy work, music, crosswords, knitting,computer, whatever...( My wife was particularly happy that I cleaned the junk drawers in the kitchen. They need cleaning again...Im thinking that kitchen junk drawers are like "junk condensers"...)
Anyway...I took a step away from the still into the next room. I was 12 feet away from it, swapping the laundry, when my daughter said "Dad your stuff smells like nail polish."
Sure enough I forgot to turn on the water to the condenser head before bringin her up to temp. Dumb ass mistake. If I had been in the room I would have noticed the steam at the top of the head.

Stick by your still. If it helps, give it a name, decorate it, etc...

and if you can, teach family the signs of a runaway or dangerous still...on the off chance you get stuck in the bathroom or some such.

Jes sayin

And to add insult to injury, after the disaster and the insureance company finds out you were doing something illegal, they will use that excuse to refuse to pay up.
myerfire

My insurance agent, who happens to be a close family member told me, if my garage/house burn due to my illegal activities, it is not covered by homeowners insurance. However, i will say, i am guilty of leaving my still unattended. in a detached garage away from my house. Im not saying it is the smartest thing i have ever done.

myerfire wrote:And to add insult to injury, after the disaster and the insureance company finds out you were doing something illegal, they will use that excuse to refuse to pay up.
myerfire

But not before screwing you up the ass with your policy and then turning your ass over to the fire marshall...I hate insurance companies.

I find that it is good time to get other things that need attending to in the garage (still is in the garage). Seems the to do list is always long when it comes to the garage...Keeps your time occupied while making product, now that's multitasking...

Well I AM a knitter and I already pee in a can at night because we have an outhouse 50 mtr's from the house. So, babysitting will not be a problem for me

Oh deffinately a good reason to hang in the garage for the day. Im not saying I condone leaving a still, I dont start in the morning and leave it all day. But sometimes you have to leave for a bit. And in the middle of a long hearts run....well. Do as I say, not as I do. Thats what daddy always told me. I run no open flame, and auto shut down. There is always room for error, I just try to minimize it. I guess im trying to justify my stupidity.......

Another question: How many of you have an active fire extiguisher sitting by your still when runnin? You think its gonna be easy to put out an alcohol fire without one? That is one thing I do have. I have learned first hand the need for a good fire extinguisher. (not from stillin, never had an accident with that)

MuleKicker wrote:Another question: How many of you have an active fire extiguisher sitting by your still when runnin?

+1

But that reminds me that I need to relocate it. Right now it is on the other side of the still from where I usually am.

MuleKicker wrote: How many of you have an active fire extiguisher sitting by your still when runnin? You think its gonna be easy to put out an alcohol fire without one? That is one thing I do have. I have learned first hand the need for a good fire extinguisher. (not from stillin, never had an accident with that)

If I reach between my legs, my hand touches the clasp of the kitchen extinguisher.

For that matter...how many of you follow basic fire safety and have one in the kitchen, one in the furnace room and one at the top of the stairs?

On the fire extinguisher note, be sure the one you are using is meant for alcohol or polar solvents, most dry chemical extinuishers use sodium bicarbonate with an additive to remove oxygen from the fire triangle to put out fires. If the alcohol is burning, a common A B C extinguisher will put it out briefly, but hot metal will re-ignite it quickly. Polar solvent extinguishers smother the fuel to keep it from vaporizing and thus eliminates the fuel source. Just a thought for our safety MM

Halon charged extinguisher right next to the still.....

MuleKicker wrote:Another question: How many of you have an active fire extiguisher sitting by your still when runnin? You think its gonna be easy to put out an alcohol fire without one?

Yup. Water. Having a couple FILLED 5 gallon buckets of water will pretty much elim fire issues IF you are there babysitting the still. I do have 2 extinguishers, and both are charged, and by each of the exits from the garage. However, if there ever was a flame up, I would kick over the 2 buckets towards the flame, and the fire would almost certainly go out, by being watered down.

HOWEVER, that will ONLY work, if I am there babysitting.

H.

Caprimulgus wrote:I have been reading peoples misstakes, here and there. And via different forums and PM's I realize that people are actually leaving their stills unattended while running sometimes. Isn't that really, REALLY dangerous? Or, I'll refrase that. I know it is, after reading what happens! But don't people know? Or, is it that they just don't care? Or, that people get cocky "I've used mine for years and know my still!" And start takeing risks, just because nothing happened........yet?

Or, is it even a problem? Maybe I'm just being an old woman here?

A bit like some of my late skydiving mates, Capri. They get overconfident and bounce. <shrug>

Stay Safe

Water puts out an alcohol fire effectively? I really couldnt tell you, never had one. I do know that water will not put out a gasoline fire. Gas i guess being a little more flamable than alcohol.

Petrol floats on top of water. Alcohol dissolves.

Yup, alcohol dissolves, and once below about 45-50% abv, it will not burn. Thus if you KNOW it is an alcohol fire, water is the best defense. It will NOT work for all type fires, but for things that are water 'based' like ethanol, it is wonderful.

I have never had to use it (never had a fire), but just like having extinguishers at the ready, just because I have never had one, does not mean I am not 'ready', always!

H.

good point. alcohol just needs to be diluted. gas, dont mix with water to dilute

edit: husker beat me to it.

blanikdog wrote:

Caprimulgus wrote:A bit like some of my late skydiving mates, Capri.

And most male drivers.

Still got my sprinkler system on

I use to run alcohol in a race car and I can tell you that Water is by far your best defense.. I think it works even better that a fire extinguisher/ Water Good Fire BAd.

Kentucky shinner wrote:I use to run alcohol in a race car and I can tell you that Water is by far your best defense.. I think it works even better that a fire extinguisher/ Water Good Fire BAd.

Firewater even better...

ScottishBoy wrote:

Kentucky shinner wrote:I use to run alcohol in a race car and I can tell you that Water is by far your best defense.. I think it works even better that a fire extinguisher/ Water Good Fire BAd.

Firewater even better...

+1

My cooling water runs through a large towel in the kitchen sink... If there was to be a fire, which is very unlikely with electric, I could grab the towel and snuff out any flames... The cold wet towel will instantly drop any alcohol to below its flash point... The fire extinguisher is only there as a last resort...

This is the main reason I looked at building my Flute and other variants, I have the patience to watch my still for 3-4 hours, but I had to get rid of my Bok, I don't want to be watching a still for 6-8 hours



OD

I don't want to be watching a still for 6-8 hours

That is why laptops, wireless internet, and online poker work so well for stillin.

H.

""wireless Internet, and online poker work so well for stillin.""

I was thanking that is why I joined HD

many days since the installation of wireless internet spent in the garage on HD. That is a good day.