Will this element be too big

Post by **bourbonbob** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:04 pm

I have almost completed this still, most of the material I got free (cost me $53 all up, $19 for the SS sink drain and $28 for 4' x 2" column, $6 for a reducer for the thermometer)......I put a 2400 watt 240 volt kettle element in it for getting to temp and I will add a smaller one (1200 - 1400) for the distilling. The boiler is 20 litre, column 2 inch.

I would like to try it just with the 2400 watt element

Will this element be a problem to distill with

CoopsOz · Post by **CoopsOz** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:20 pm

I think it will be to big, I tried running a 2.4 on my 1100mm column bokakob, it just ran too hot. I had to install a 1380 watt element.

Post by **bourbonbob** » Tue Oct 24, 2006 9:35 pm

I thought that might be the case. I might be able to get a small kettle element.

No hurry, I have the pot still to get by with.

markx · Post by **markx** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 6:14 am

2.4kW will most likely be overkill for this setup. If you had a valved reflux design with a mighty loosely packed column, then you might squeeze this amount of power through the pipes but I advise to go for the 1.3kW element for now.

Post by **bourbonbob** » Wed Oct 25, 2006 7:45 pm

I got a nice shiny 50 litre keg today, I will use it outdoors on a gas burner.