Hello all, just ordered my Essential Extractor Pro Series II about 2 weeks ago and am waiting for it now. I ordered the 8 Gallon Premium Kettle and the silver starter kit along with it. The eta ship date is around 3/8. I do not know much about this hobby other than reading the fourms and online research but cant wait to get it and start making some surgar washes.

Welcome to the group. Lots of information here. Don't be afraid to ask questions. I've learned a lot and am having fun experimenting with different recipes. I have the PSII and am enjoying the hobby. Good Luck.

Hi smurray, I have the 2 inch PSII with an 8 gallon boiler it's a great piece of equipment and it works just fine for me. It runs slower than the 3 inch but gets the job done just as well.
I use 2 pumps for cooling water. One for the column and one for the condenser. I find this works better for me, allows me to make adjustments to either one without affecting the other. Also put in a brass ball valve on both lines to control the water flows. Thinking I may change those to brass gate valves to get better adjustment control. Something to ponder.

Bushy, the valve sound like a good idea and something I could easily do. Johnyapplepie, I would love to get started but I do not have a fermintation kit I ordered the silver kit along with my still. I havent received any emails or anything about the order and the date when I did order was an ETA so I still have plenty of time. My question to you guys with the 2 inch PSII and the 8 gallon kettle, how do you heat it? I think I will be getting a 1500 watt hot plate and I do have a turkey fryer, I plan on trying both but was courious to see which is the preferred method.

I have the same setup you ordered(Essential Extractor Pro Series II) and love it. I also use Blichmann propane burner and it works great.Good luck

I use a turkey frier also with propane out in my hooch shack (aka garage). I like the propane also because it's easy to control the heat. I crack it up to get it going when first charging up the still then i back the heat down until the foreshot starts coming out. then i adjust the temp from there. I've thought about trying a hotplate but i really don't want my still in the house nor do i have all day to for it to heat up and give me the product. I have thought about putting a water heater element into my 15.5 gallon stainless beer keg then i thought nahh why isn't working great with propane. use a defuser plate as well with propane to equally heat the boiler. I also use a valve with my water line. I use one pump that connects to my hoses but i can control how much water goes to the top of the column. i'm not so much worried about what goes to the condenser i usually don't control that when distilling in reflux. I do however monitor often the water flow to the top. hope this helps.