What temp would you guys run

[lumberped]

Currently running a batch of 12% store bought jug wine ,and I need to know the correct temp for this.

I have spent the last few days reading for hours on end on this site, and thought I had this worked out, but the temp I thought I read , does not seem to be ther corredct one.

I read in one post that the best temp would be 172 deg F , so I wrote that down, and decided to go with it. But since then I have found too many other temps and now my original thought process is shot.


Thanks for your help in advance , and btw I know this is probably a rudimentary question so please overlook my ignorance , but it's my first hooch run


L

[olddog]

What type of still have you got? reflux or potstill? at this stage your question is not specific enough to give you a proper answer.


OD

[Dnderhead]

reflux? 78.3c/172f. at about 80c /176f watch for tales.(when stripping or using less efficient stills can run higher)
with a pot still the temps will very and goes up wile running depending on the wash/mash.

[lumberped]

It's a short reflux with very light packing. What I am finding out is this:

If I want to increase the takeoff rate to the point where Im not waiting 20 hours for a 4 litre wash I have to increase the input temp.
If I do that I lose the ability to hold the 172 temp and it climbs to 200 and hold , but the offtake rate is not a steady stream, but a rapid drip drop.

I dont think my column is long enough to be able to use the thermometer accurately.
Let me know if Im missing something ,
I did think 172 was correct , but cannot hold it with the rate that I need to collect


Thanks

L

[Dnderhead]

as you say you have a short column.that makes it inefficient as a reflux still and run somewhere between a reflux and a pot still.

[lumberped]

I appreciate the help man , but I think you're precisely right. This is gonna be like riding a bike ; you can explain the basics of it , but until you get on the bike and actually do, you really cant get the "jist" of it.

I think as long as I learn to recognize the differece in the cuts , I'll be "aight" !

But I am certain that I'll have a few other emergencies afore too long


Thanks again

L

[rad14701]

lumberped, you need to learn patience, and part of that learning curve is realizing that you don't control the temperature or the speed, the still does... You work for the still, it doesn't work for you... With a reflux still, especially a small one with a short column, you will be taking off spirits at a rate of 4 - 6 drips per second rather than a steady stream... If you try to run at too fast of a take off rate you won't generate enough reflux and the column temperature will rise, as you have discovered...

[Dnderhead]

that is what i meant by insufficient, to git high proof you are going to have to run it much slower.
this will depend on the height and diameter of column.one way to help is to remove packing
do several strip runs,then re pack and do a spirits run.this way you can combine several strip runs
this will save time as stripping takes less time.then repack and do a spirits run.that way you
will be doing several runs in one.

[lumberped]

Rad , in this case patience wasn't the problem. Time constraints were however. As this was my first ever run on anything other than cleaning runs, and I had been at it since 10:am this morning , I was rapidly starting to run outta time before I crashed. And since the still wouldn't go to sleep and wait till tomorrow , I had to do sumthin perdy quick, before I fell asleep and couldn't watch the girl.

But your point does not go untaken. I know exactly what ya mean , and appreciate your help. The only other part of this problem was that I had no idea of time frame that this usually requires , so I didn't know if I was almost finished , or just gettin started. I got alot to learn , but it's my first steps.

L

[myles]

The only other part of this problem was that I had no idea of time frame that this usually requires , so I didn't know if I was almost finished , or just gettin started. I got alot to learn , but it's my first steps.
L

It would be worth it to build yourself a striping column for convenience. No packing - just make it tall enough for convenience - based on where you want the output of the condenser to be. And include a temperature probe port just above your boiler. The vapour temperature in the boiler headspace will give you an indication of how much ethanol is left in your boiler.

[lumberped]

Woo Hoo ! Got a batch of DWWG running right now and she is hummin right along at 172 deg F. Working just as plannned. Double the amount of packing in my 2 foot column , and inserted marbles in it at the condenser tune instead of copper mesh, then finished with another round of copper mesh at the top of the column near the thermometer.

workin like a champ so far.


Thanks Guys


L