Thermometer installation

[Goodolmtndew]

Hey fellow stillers. I bought a deep fryer thermometer with a 5-6" probe. I would like it to remain removable but also keep a tight seal in the column. Anybody with any experience? I'm looking for ideas as well

[King Of Hearts]

a drilled out gum rubber stopper will do.

[Hawk_]

I use a drilled out wine cork.

[Goodolmtndew]

Oh and where would you recommend placing the thermometer? I plan on putting it in the main boiler. But something makes me think I should put it in the vapor column.

[King Of Hearts]

Oh and where would you recommend placing the thermometer? I plan on putting it in the main boiler. But something makes me think I should put it in the vapor column.

You need a threaded nipple and dial themometer for a boiler in the wash. therms are only a guide, your output is what matters most, build a good looking parrot and let that be your guide.

[Prairiepiss]

What kind of still is it?

A boiler thermowel will only tell you the boiling .point of the liquid that in it. If you think you really need to know that?

How bout a pic of your still. So we van see what its going in?

kOH gum rubber? You know better then that around here?

[Jimbo]

I have one in my vapor column, there's a correlation you get used to after a few runs between parrot result and vapor temp. So one or the other accomplishes the same thing. The most important thing tho is taste. I almost dont even care what % is coming off (altho I know by looking at the vapor temp) And put the shot glass and bottle of water to work when Im headin into the tails to make the cut between keep and tails jug. Last year the cut happened at 42% (single run cider brandy). This year the cut happened at 53% (avg of 4 runs thats now sitting in my barrel). So knowing the % coming off didnt really do me any good, I made the cut by taste, the result quite a bit different year to year. One year it was 119 proof aging on oak, 59.5%

Im getting into some AG whiskeys now so time to reset the learning curve on taste bud calibration. Ill do the runs in multiple jars for a while until I really trust my tongue on AG white dog cut making.

EDIT: Mine is like HawkingRages, I also use a drilled out wine cork. Works great because it swells up and seals good when its hot and wet (dont they all swell up when hot and wet?). And it also provides a pressure relief valve, it will blow out if something godawful happens and shit clogs up.

[Goodolmtndew]

I bought the clawhammer.com kit

[Richard7]

I just drilled a hole in my column just big enough for the probe, wrapped ptfe tape around the probe and push it to the tape. Seals up quite nice.

[Prairiepiss]

Don't need a thermometer in a pot still. So no need in drilling any holes.

[Goodolmtndew]

How come I don't need one?

[King Of Hearts]

What kind of still is it?

kOH gum rubber? You know better then that around here?

So if gum stoppers aren't suitable why do the still sites sell them? I've used them with no problems. I never checked what the properties were because it came with the still head, but now I see the temp is only rated to 140, wtf?

[Prairiepiss]

How come I don't need one?

Here read this thread. An example why you don't need one.
pot still not producing, and I think ive checked every thing
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 37&t=32875

Then here are some threads to help you understand why. They can be found in the must read new distiller reading lounge.

Basic Distillation 101
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=13266

Why you can't control a still with boiler temperature.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=16635

Do I need a thermometer on my pot still?
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=13294

Distilling Advice
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=13305

Novice Guide for Cuts
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=13261

KOH you would have to ask those companies why they sell that stuff. As you noted the temp range is not up to par. But I should also point to rule number 8 in the rules we live by. It would be covered in that rule.
There has been more then a few reports of gum rubber stoppers adding bad flavors and bad smells to distilled spirits. And that's a few reasons I recommend to replace them in the CM Mod thread.

[King Of Hearts]

I never noticed any off flavors but I make mostly whiskey's and now I use my column. I'll change that out if I ever use it again or I'll close up that 2 in hole at the top. Thanks for the heads up PP.

[Durace11]

I never noticed any off flavors but I make mostly whiskey's and now I use my column. I'll change that out if I ever use it again or I'll close up that 2 in hole at the top. Thanks for the heads up PP.

Off topic, KoH I bought this http://www.widgetco.com/28-cork-stoppers-extra, works great in a 2" pot still.

[King Of Hearts]

I never noticed any off flavors but I make mostly whiskey's and now I use my column. I'll change that out if I ever use it again or I'll close up that 2 in hole at the top. Thanks for the heads up PP.

Off topic, KoH I bought this http://www.widgetco.com/28-cork-stoppers-extra, works great in a 2" pot still.

Thanks Durace11. maybe we should tell the still sites about them, he he.

[mash rookie]

I like a temp probe on my boiler. It tells me when I am nearing a boil. How well I fermented my wash by the starting boil temp and valuably when I am nearing tails. When my boiler reaches 208 I know the rest is tails.

I like the hole in a cork method. That is how my sexy girl is done. More recently I solder ½ of a compression fitting on the column or keg. Teflon tape instead of the ferule works great.

I rarely look at head temp anymore.

[King Of Hearts]

I consider the water valve on the dephlag as my gas pedal, and the boiler my engine.

[Jimbo]

With 2 things to adjust do you normally set your engine at a constant speed (power) and then adjust with the deflag? Or do you tweak both depending on what your after? I guess full speed, like for a stripping run, is hot on the engine and scale back on the deflag, and low and slow on the engine and high reflux must give you some crazy smooth high proof neutral? I need to add another dimension to my rig!!!

[King Of Hearts]

With 2 things to adjust do you normally set your engine at a constant speed (power) and then adjust with the deflag? Or do you tweak both depending on what your after? I guess full speed, like for a stripping run, is hot on the engine and scale back on the deflag, and low and slow on the engine and high reflux must give you some crazy smooth high proof neutral? I need to add another dimension to my rig!!!

After a few runs I know how much power I needed, about double at first then drop it and keep it constant, after the plates are full, dial back the deplag to pull off 92-94, it compresses the heads, so after that cruising speed till it slows down by it self, I collest in 500ml jars, wait till day two to decide what to use for drinking.

[Jimbo]

Thanks KoH I guess no need for a stripping run with that baby around! This forum is dangerous, makes me want to blow my wallet on copper!

[King Of Hearts]

Thanks KoH I guess no need for a stripping run with that baby around! This forum is dangerous, makes me want to blow my wallet on copper!

It is fun to run once you get a few laps around the track.

[Jimbo]

How many is a few? Was it hard to get the hang of and 'learn her hot buttons' as it were? I thought I was starting to figure out CM, LM, VM etc but now this fluted plate design seems to be the shit if youre gonna take the time to build 1 still thats got it all going on? Hell all the micro distilleries use em. Gotta be something to that right? I dunno. Im itchy to build something. Was about ready to start cutting and soldering up a VM+LM but I gotta refrain and DO THE HOMEWORK! Like we all tell the brand new guys right!

[King Of Hearts]

How many is a few? Was it hard to get the hang of and 'learn her hot buttons' as it were? I thought I was starting to figure out CM, LM, VM etc but now this fluted plate design seems to be the shit if youre gonna take the time to build 1 still thats got it all going on? Hell all the micro distilleries use em. Gotta be something to that right? I dunno. Im itchy to build something. Was about ready to start cutting and soldering up a VM+LM but I gotta refrain and DO THE HOMEWORK! Like we all tell the brand new guys right!

Three. Mostly it was Mashrookie who told me how to run it, and once I did what he told me it was smooth sailing. I made the mistake last time of putting too much heat under her and the top plates filled before the bottom, but its sweet as hell once they all get going.

[Goodolmtndew]

Don't need a thermometer in a pot still. So no need in drilling any holes.

Why don't I need a thermometer?

[Jimbo]

Don't need a thermometer in a pot still. So no need in drilling any holes.

Why don't I need a thermometer?

Haha Prairie's gone blow a gasket. He answered that further down in this thread. KoH gave some good reasons too. I like therms, and gave my reasons below as well. READ MAN!

EDIT: Woop Prairies response IS below in this thread, but KoH and my comments on therms are here, http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=32723

[Jimbo]

How many is a few? Was it hard to get the hang of and 'learn her hot buttons' as it were? I thought I was starting to figure out CM, LM, VM etc but now this fluted plate design seems to be the shit if youre gonna take the time to build 1 still thats got it all going on? Hell all the micro distilleries use em. Gotta be something to that right? I dunno. Im itchy to build something. Was about ready to start cutting and soldering up a VM+LM but I gotta refrain and DO THE HOMEWORK! Like we all tell the brand new guys right!

Three. Mostly it was Mashrookie who told me how to run it, and once I did what he told me it was smooth sailing. I made the mistake last time of putting too much heat under her and the top plates filled before the bottom, but its sweet as hell once they all get going.

KoH, one more question please, for a given wash size, how long does it take to do a full run on the plated column vs a standard (not stripping) run with your potstill head? Say 10gallon wash in a half barrel? I imagine its coming off slower?, but its twice the strength, is the overall distillation time equivalent? Thanks much!

[Goodolmtndew]

Don't need a thermometer in a pot still. So no need in drilling any holes.

Why don't I need a thermometer?

Haha Prairie's gone blow a gasket. He answered that further down in this thread. KoH gave some good reasons too. I like therms, and gave my reasons below as well. READ MAN!

EDIT: Woop Prairies response IS below in this thread, but KoH and my comments on therms are here, http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 16&t=32723

New to the site. And my phone doesn't really view the whole screen so I didn't know there was multiple pages

[King Of Hearts]

How many is a few? Was it hard to get the hang of and 'learn her hot buttons' as it were? I thought I was starting to figure out CM, LM, VM etc but now this fluted plate design seems to be the shit if youre gonna take the time to build 1 still thats got it all going on? Hell all the micro distilleries use em. Gotta be something to that right? I dunno. Im itchy to build something. Was about ready to start cutting and soldering up a VM+LM but I gotta refrain and DO THE HOMEWORK! Like we all tell the brand new guys right!

Three. Mostly it was Mashrookie who told me how to run it, and once I did what he told me it was smooth sailing. I made the mistake last time of putting too much heat under her and the top plates filled before the bottom, but its sweet as hell once they all get going.

KoH, one more question please, for a given wash size, how long does it take to do a full run on the plated column vs a standard (not stripping) run with your potstill head? Say 10gallon wash in a half barrel? I imagine its coming off slower?, but its twice the strength, is the overall distillation time equivalent? Thanks much!

It took me 16 hrs with a pot still, 8hrs stripping, 8 hrs spirit, but was limited because of the Liebig, vs 4-5 total with a plated column.

[Jimbo]

It took me 16 hrs with a pot still, 8hrs stripping, 8 hrs spirit, but was limited because of the Liebig, vs 4-5 total with a plated column.

Thanks, nice!!!

If you ever need a 40" liebig, copper wire wrapped on the vapor tube, and stuffed with copper mesh to even the flow, let me know. This damn thing is ridiculous. I dunno why I made it so long. Even with the keg cranked and the water on medium slow it doesnt get warm for more than the first few inches. Its the John Holmes of liebigs.