G'day Guy's,
As I've said before when one starts working in copper it is a disease which is incurable.
So for doing new experiments a small pot still is great for testing out new taste profiles just doing small batches.
The first run I did after the sac run was some apple cider wash left over after bottling. I had enough to do 3 strip runs then I topped up the low wines with some 40% neutral and put a bit of 90% neutral in the thumper(been told thats a NO NO). I used 3 grams of toasted/charred French Oak and left it for 3 months. Now I've cut that down to 42% and it is one yummy drop and won't last until the weekend.
So for the next run the hot weather is playing havoc with our fruit trees and our young cider apple tree that has a bumper crop is getting hit hard. All the fallen fruit is checked everyday then chopped up and dried in our hotbox. I watered down some 90% to 52% and put a handful of dried apple in along with a dash of powdered cinnamon.
After 4 hours this maceration is starting to smell nice and I'll let it sit for a few days before I run it. With tomorrow being 45C in the shade it should help the maceration and I'll run on the weekend when it's cooler.
I have a small pot in the works myself, but not quite that small. I’m shooting for a 3 gallon (mini keg) insulated boiler with a 500W controlled element. Never thought of adding a Thumper but like you said, it’s a disease with no cure so who knows.
I have a small pot in the works myself, but not quite that small. I’m shooting for a 3 gallon (mini keg) insulated boiler with a 500W controlled element. Never thought of adding a Thumper but like you said, it’s a disease with no cure so who knows.
Otis
I think your 500 watt element will be too small. My 3 gallon Mighty Mini came with a 2000 watt element that I found was a bit much.I controlled that with a homemade pid controller. I found a 1400 watt water heater element that works very well. (11.6 a. draw on a 15 a. circuit.) I control it with a variable controller for a wood router from Harbor freight. For a spirit run, I turn it on high till about 125° column temp and then to the lowest setting. It will creep up in temp a degree a minute or so. Very easy to control.
I don't drink alcohol, I drink distilled spirits.
Therefore I'm not a alcoholic, I'm spiritual.
