 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2012(UTC)
Posts: 9
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"First Batch Jitters (Continued....)
Hello All,
Looks like things are shaping up, received my latest package from Brewhaus. I
would like to gather valued opinions on the cooling system, and see if I need anything
more than what I have.
What I have is:
Essential Extractor Pro Series II High Capacity Unit
8 Gallon premium kettle
1500 Watt Hot plate
Brewhaus circulator Pump
55 Gallon Drum (with Qty.(6) 1-Gallon Jugs made into solid ice)
I have seen the set-up on YouTube using a radiator and a fan to cool, But I have
not seen anything with regards to ""How Much"" water is needed to cool with.
I was just told ""You need a lot"", With your experience using these units, would
this set-up be sufficient? or should I put together a radiator type cooling system?
I really dont want to run from the garden hose, It bothers me to waste water.
Thanks in Advance
DB"
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 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/4/2012(UTC)
Posts: 303
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From what you describe, it sounds like you have enough.
They say the distillate output should be just warm to the touch, so your cooling water can get pretty warm and still condense down the vapor.
While I do not have a reflux unit, I do have a 55 gallon plastic barrel for my worm. I cut 5 or 6 inches off the top of the barrel, so it's basically a 45 gallon barrel now. On my last run, I could see steam coming off the top of the cooling water. However, the distillate was very cool to the touch. Strange. I put my hand on the barrel at the top level of the water. It was hot. But as I moved my hand down the barrel, the temperature dropped. So all the hot water was at the top where the worm entered the water, but at least 85% of the rest of the water was cool. It makes sense, heat rises and cold falls.
If your pump is the submersible one, then just drop it in the barrel and pump from the bottom of it and have the return line just drop into the top of the barrel. After you've been running a little while, just drop a frozen milk jug in the top and let it cool the water. You shouldn't even need to mix the water. The cold will flow naturally down to the bottom of your barrel.
Muadib
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered, Moderator
Joined: 4/14/2010(UTC)
Posts: 1,666
Was thanked: 15 time(s) in 15 post(s)
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Thats almost the same thing I do....I use a igloo cooler thats prolly 10 gallons but I only fill 3/4 of the way up and I also add frozen milk jugs and ice to it. Just freeze some ziplock bags and use them as your ice cubes. the little pump doesnt need great gobs of water to cool your unit just a steady supply or thats all mine needs. Hope this helps ease yur mind.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2012(UTC)
Posts: 9
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Thank You very much, I think I will substitute the 55 Gallon drum with a 30 Gallon, It will fit my space better, and if you are doing similar with 10 Gallons, I would assume the 30 gallon would be AOK. Greatly Appreciated.... DB.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2012(UTC)
Posts: 9
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I actually ordered a 2nd pump from BH, but they called me to cancel due to out of stock (they are waiting on delivery), But as I look at this set-up I do see your point, I might try to solder up a gang valve that can control the flow to the top of the reflux and the condenser, Thanks for the idea.. (I do remember seeing the Youtube video with the ball valves). Best Regards... DB.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2012(UTC)
Posts: 9
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Hi Bigwheel, I did not get one of the router speed controls (yet), there is a wood working shop within 3 miles of my home (forget name), do you have a model you use? and when you say "turn down the heat" .. How do I know when to do that ? TY. DB.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2012(UTC)
Posts: 9
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Thanks BW.. I drove up to a local Rockler store and purchased the same unit ($50). Also re-wired the 1500 Watt hot plate to bypass the thermostat. Built a small platform for all this to sit on "actually a small frame made of 2x6 that has a bed of raised patio pavers, so my hotplate is on stone", next step is to finish the cooling system so I can have separate controllable paths to the condenser and the top of the unit. Will need to figure out how to attach pictures. Thanks for all the help. Best Regards DB.
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 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/2/2012(UTC)
Posts: 25
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" Originally Posted by: Darth_Baker  Hi Bigwheel, I did not get one of the router speed controls (yet), there is a wood working shop within 3 miles of my home (forget name), do you have a model you use? and when you say ""turn down the heat"" .. How do I know when to do that ? TY. DB. Darth, I think you will find that you can run the hot plate wide open all the time and control the Temp off the top of the still with the water in-put. With the addition of the second valve you can control the condenser and the reflux separately. It then becomes easy to get the PSII HC to sit right on the sweet spot. If packed correctly it will equalize at about 174 and stay for a while and then when getting near the end of the run it will rise. If you are using low wines (what comes out after a stripping run) I find that it will sit at 174 for 90% of the run. Collect in pint jars and let then sit with a coffee filter over them for the night. Then make your cuts by smell and taste in the morning. I was real worried about doing the cuts the first time but you can really tell the difference. Start from the middle jars and work out left and right until you taste the bitter tails and the sweet heads. Take what is in the middle of the heads and tails for drinking. Recycle the rest or dump it. JGRAM"
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/20/2012(UTC)
Posts: 9
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Thank You Jgram, You let your runs sit overnight with only a coffee filter? (I guess I am used to making wines and keeping it from the air.. ), Today I plan on starting my wash with a Turbo Yeast that says it will give me an ABV of 18% within 5+ days, I am hoping to be ready to do a run Saturday. I am trying to attach a pic of my set-up, Its a base with patio pavers to control the heat from damaging my mud room floor, and a rear wall to hold the router speed control, along with a hose diverter to control separate water flow rates to the head and the condenser of the BH still. Thanks for all the help and advice. DB.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 2/2/2012(UTC)
Posts: 25
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"Darth,
I have used Turbo Yeast as well in the past and when I was pot still'n you could taste an off flavor. Many people state that as well. I moved to a wiskey yeast with AG. It works nice. When I moved to the BH PSII HC i re-ran all the pot still stuff it it came out great with no off flavors left so the turbo can give you some excellent stuff.
I thing they advise is if you do not stress the yeast with the 18% and move the sugar down to what would give you 14% or run half in one fermenter and one in another and divide the turbo package up betwen them you can ovoid the off flavors.
Just things I have tried and that work. Happy Still'n.
Jgram"
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