Home Distiller

I've been using a reflux for well over a year now and I ordered over the net a pot still condenser which arrived today.

Now I don't know what the hell to do with it!

What am I meant to do with this big hole in the top? From searching the forum and the mother site all I can figure is thats where the thermometer is meant to go? How do I plug that all up?

I'm used to stilling with a valve to control the drip as I have an on/off only electric boiler. Not sure how I'm going to control this head?

Hope you guys can help!

Use a large, natural cork to plug the hole. (or drill the cork to install a thermo)

A potstill pretty much runs to the amount of heat applied. If you can't control the heat, you will basicly be doing stripping runs with it. Will be a challenge to get cuts right on a spirit run.

Hmmmm.

Sounds like I'll need to get some sort of power control unit or something of the sort.

If I can reduce the voltage that should reduce the heat to the element?

reducing the voltage will reduce the power
basic elevtronics

P=IV (power =current*voltage)

this is usually done by puting a variable resistor(rheostat or potentiometer) in series with the element, this is called a voltage divider. basically the resistor will 'use up' part of the available voltage coming from the mains leaving less across the heating element

you cant really change the current directly, it depends on the total resistance of the circuit and the applied voltage (I=V/R)

for most heaters you will need a special rheostat that can handle the high currents that get pulled from high watt elements. pulling a few amps through a plain light dimmer switch will fry it

large resisters aren't that hard to fiend there allover, called---- heating elements---light bulbs etc just have to fiend the the right size bin along time since Iv done it but it works used to make battery chargers that way had about ten bulbs in parallel turned bulbs in for more currant out for less
but with the prices to day you could make a controller with tight dimer and triac some place on hear is plains

demonx wrote:What am I meant to do with this big hole in the top? From searching the forum and the mother site all I can figure is thats where the thermometer is meant to go? How do I plug that all up?

Hey DX

your local home brew shop will sell either heat resistant silicon or natural cork bungs that are pre drilled to take electronic thermometers (which they also sell for $15-$20).

If you are changing to a pot still to do flavoured/grain brews then your electric boiler may not be best suited as the solids will probably burn to the element.

If not, and you want to use your electric boiler, try Jaycar electronics (they have a wesite) they used to do a go between variable voltage device.

Cheers!

Aussie Beamophile wrote:Hey DX

your local home brew shop will sell either heat resistant silicon or natural cork bungs that are pre drilled to take electronic thermometers (which they also sell for $15-$20).

If you are changing to a pot still to do flavoured/grain brews then your electric boiler may not be best suited as the solids will probably burn to the element.

If not, and you want to use your electric boiler, try Jaycar electronics (they have a wesite) they used to do a go between variable voltage device.

Cheers!

I've been doing them successfully for a while now with my reflux by pulling out the scrubs but now I'm trying out the pot head see what difference it makes. So the head will simply fill the hole my reflux column leaves when I unscrew it. simple conversion. Just don't know how to use it!

Looks like a trip to the Home brew shop is in order.

Couldn't see a voltage controller on the Jaycar site but we have a Jaycar store here so they might be able to help more.

Cheers to everyone who replied.

Go to RS Australia and enter this product code in the site's search bar:

489-3424

You will need to put it into a box and wire it up, but it does the job very nicely.

Also check Pinto's device for an alternative (does the same thing).

When it comes to Electronics and 240v - I'd rather try my chances with something ready to go since I'm not "electrically minded".

When it comes to wood I'll give nearly anything a go!

Thanks for pointing me in the direction though. Most appreciated.

demonx wrote:When it comes to Electronics and 240v - I'd rather try my chances with something ready to go since I'm not "electrically minded".

When it comes to wood I'll give nearly anything a go!

Thanks for pointing me in the direction though. Most appreciated.

Why not just run a gas burner,thats what I do.I use electric for the reflux and gas for the pot still

jdonly1 wrote:Why not just run a gas burner,thats what I do.I use electric for the reflux and gas for the pot still

It's a good idea but I already have one boiler and I have very little space here as it is.

demonx wrote:

jdonly1 wrote:Why not just run a gas burner,thats what I do.I use electric for the reflux and gas for the pot still

It's a good idea but I already have one boiler and I have very little space here as it is.

You wont need that much more room and use the same boiler.Here is a pic of mine.

You wont need that much more room and use the same boiler.Here is a pic of mine.
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You'r right on that one JD you dont need much room by the look of that pic you have nun at all i belive it could be a big fire hazard how about having a break from distilling for a few hours second thought a weekend or 2 and clean up that shed again