>SNIFF SNIFF< Is The Furnace On? No, Just Flames.

[fizzix]

Basement door is open to take advantage of the terrific fall weather.
One eye on the Home Distiller laptop, the other on the near-boiling still.

Then that odor of the furnace being turned on for the first time in the season.
Called up to the wife, no she hadn't turned on the furnace...

Oh look at the pretty flames under the still... and a hummmmm SNAP!
The hotplate finally gave up the goat after a year, but with a vengeance!
Blew the flame out and unplugged everything and watched until cool.

It all sits on ceramic tiles on a ceramic floor, so no damage there. The heavy dissipator plate took
the brunt of burning, so no big deal there. Didn't warrant the nearby fire extinguisher.

Since I modified the hotplate, bypassing the thermostat, that's all the more reason to NEVER LEAVE AN ACTIVE STILL!

I have another modified plate and said NOTHING to the wife, so I will be back up soon.

Heed my calamity!

[bilgriss]

I heed and obey.

[nerdybrewer]

Very glad for you that nothing but the used up equipment was lost.
The trouble with most people is a lack of imagination, they may think it's ok to leave for a minute because they just cannot imagine all the things that could go wrong.

[Yummyrum]

Lucky save Fizz and as you say yet another reason to never leave the still.
Goes to show even electric heating can have its risks .