How cold to run output condenser?
Posted: Tue Aug 03, 2021 6:54 am
I was taught "the colder the better" - we used bags of ice in a recirculating cooler full of water and kept it icy cold.
As I run my own still I use cold stream water in the condenser, not ice cold, but I don't recirculate, the distillate comes off the still feeling cold/cool to the touch and the jars will gather condensation as they fill. The water coming out of the condenser is usually warm to the touch. I have never had problems with my condenser not keeping up with the output at all. I am filling a quart jar every 10 mins or so.
So is there a "proper" temp? I was taught the colder it is the cleaner it will taste and in my mind it made sense?
As I run my own still I use cold stream water in the condenser, not ice cold, but I don't recirculate, the distillate comes off the still feeling cold/cool to the touch and the jars will gather condensation as they fill. The water coming out of the condenser is usually warm to the touch. I have never had problems with my condenser not keeping up with the output at all. I am filling a quart jar every 10 mins or so.
So is there a "proper" temp? I was taught the colder it is the cleaner it will taste and in my mind it made sense?