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For those of you using these ( I have for years) do you initially blast them all the way on to heat up the wash or gradually ramp them up? I have lately been wondering if using them at full blast may lead to scorching. I haven't noticed any burnt taste in my spirits and my washes are always dry but I'm always looking to improve my technique.

What say you?

Thanks,
JT

I once fermented in my boiler, fired up the element full power and stripped at at 5500W. I didn't notice anything out of the ordinary until I drained the boiler. The element looked weird. I pulled the element out and found yeast baked onto the surface of the element. I forgot to thoroughly pre-mix the boiler before turning the element on so the settled yeast baked onto the element. I was able to get it all off, but I won't be forgetting that step any time soon.

My point is, I'd probably just inspect your element and see if anything gets baked onto it.

Full power until the head just starts to warm, then dial it back so that it holds the temperature without producing for a hour, giving it a chance to form extra esters.

NZChris wrote: ↑Thu Oct 12, 2023 12:00 pm Full power until the head just starts to warm, then dial it back so that it holds the temperature without producing for a hour, giving it a chance to form extra esters.

Actually, after it is up to temp I keep the column in full reflux for an hour for that very reason.