Home Distiller

I have been using pintshines method. cooking the grains for 90 minutes @ 190 deg. then at 145Deg. for an hour using enzymes and malted grains. I heat this big SS pot with a 1500W broilking burner with a controller
Today I made an aluminum backed insulation/ aluminum both sides with air bubbles inbetween. Made cut outs for the paddles running off my drill motor for agitation and a cutout for my thermometer. It sits on top the pot about 6-8 inches above the liquid.
It reduced my heat up time considerably and maintining temp at lower settings.
However I question its use. It is aluminum on both sides, but it has those small plastic bubbles between the aluminum.
Should I use it or dump it and make a different cover? This one works real sweet. The evaporation was much less.

aluminum is fine for mashing and cooking

i noticed a little aluminium foil taste the first time i used an aluminium BOP for mashing.

once it was seasoned with that intial use, i have not noticed it since.

Full_moon, your reflectix insulation "cover" isn't in contact with the mash (which may become acidic) is it? That's the only concern I would have...corrosion and leaching of the aluminum alkaloids into the mash, particularly when in contact with the liquid. Simply setting over the pot shouldn't cause you any problems.

Now, aluminum in contact with the liquids or vapors of higher %ABV washes would be a problem. But this is your mash vessel.
ss