Asking for critical comments

[Patriot1950]

I'm working on my first still. Given to me, I have a 15.5 gallon keg and 36 inches of 3 inch copper column. I have purchased a 14 inch addition to the 3 inch column and made a triple wound condenser with a cold finger. Looks really good... my metal work is very good. Right below the condenser is a slant plate and designed as a typical boka.

My thought is to heat the boiler "initially" with a combination of an electric water heater element AND a propane stove burner to bring the mash up to temp then switch to electric only that can be easily controlled.

I would like some thoughts from all the pros out there. Sure would appreciate it.

Through this, I plan on using temperature probes to measure water in and out temp AND flow from the condenser. To get some sort of calculation of BTU's condensed. Also, the temp of wash and temp just below the top slant plate. Also, intend to measure the flow rate of product from the column.

I have had some thoughts of designing a real time devise to measure and record the ABV of product after it exits and is cooled from the still.

Thanks

I would really appreciate any thoughts. Has anyone done real time data measurements? How have they done this?

[pounsfos]

a Couple of people are doing real time calculations as we speak
(their user names have escaped my mind)

you should put up pictures, we love shinny copper coils

if you wanted truer results, I would stick with just electric, or just gas, no inbetween

[acfixer69]

I'm working on my first still. Given to me, I have a 15.5 gallon keg and 36 inches of 3 inch copper column. I have purchased a 14 inch addition to the 3 inch column and made a triple wound condenser with a cold finger. Looks really good... my metal work is very good. Right below the condenser is a slant plate and designed as a typical boka.

My thought is to heat the boiler "initially" with a combination of an electric water heater element AND a propane stove burner to bring the mash up to temp then switch to electric only that can be easily controlled.

I would like some thoughts from all the pros out there. Sure would appreciate it.

Through this, I plan on using temperature probes to measure water in and out temp AND flow from the condenser. To get some sort of calculation of BTU's condensed. Also, the temp of wash and temp just below the top slant plate. Also, intend to measure the flow rate of product from the column.

I have had some thoughts of designing a real time devise to measure and record the ABV of product after it exits and is cooled from the still.

Thanks

I would really appreciate any thoughts. Has anyone done real time data measurements? How have they done this?

That statement has me wondering as temperature is not to be controlled. Could you explain what you mean.

AC

[HDNB]

i just bought everything needed for Jimbo's electric conversion (with a slight mod for a 100a ssr and separate potentiometer - nod to cranky here too for a great post)

total cost involved for 2 of everything (just in case) about 120 CDN$, or 4 tanks of propane.

from what i gather it will take about about 15 min. to get to temps at full smoke.

I cannot see the advantage to have o CO producing open flame.

[Bushman]

Everyone is asking questions without advice and I am going to just make a statement of concern. I went from a propane 2" VM to an electric 4" CM. My heat-up time is about 1/2 hour to 45 min. not much different than just propane. I would be worried with a heating element toward the bottom of your keg, how close the electrical cord will be to the flame.

[cranky]

Don't see the point of the propane myself, I don't like open flame anywhere near flammable vapor in the first place but if you have 220V A/C. With a 5500W heating element I can get 10 gallons up to boiling in under 20 minutes and collect as fast as a quart every 4.5 minutes so in my view the open flame is just extra trouble and money.