Hello All,
Must admit the Moonshiners show got me interested in this hobby. Love the show even though I know a lot of it is not reality. On the other hand I grew up in the mountains of NC and believe me there are plenty of folks up there just like what you see on the show. But I'm sure the show's producers create many of the situations to make for more interesting TV. Generally mountain folk, especially moonshiners, are suspicious of outsiders and don't reveal much of their personal lives.

Anyhow the show got me interested and I've been doing a lot of reading. Just finished reading Ian Smiley's Making Pure Corn Whiskey. Also much reading on this forum and the home distiller forum. I'm about ready to order my first still and have pretty much decided on the Essential Extractor PSII High Capacity- Complete Distiller from Brewhaus with the 15 gal premium kettle. I would rather stay away from propane as a heat source but doubt the hot plates would be satisfactory for a 15 gal kettle. I'm really liking what I've read about the internal wh elements but I'm not an electrical guru either. Just finished reading captinjack's thread MY alternative to a router speed control but I know I don't have the electrical expertise to tackle buiding that. I would be willing to pay to have one built but don't know any local electrician that I'd trust enough to hire. You know all those questions bout "what you gonna do with this" etc.

Anyhow, what would ya'll recommend. I pretty much need something "plug & play" that don't require a lot of wiring skills. I understand I can request Brewhaus to install the necessary fittings in the kettle for the wh element but what else will I need? Do I need 2 elements or just one? I do not have a 220v outlet in my shop but could probably get one installed if that would be better. Should I stick with the RSC or is there other better alternatives? Just wanna make sure I'm getting it right before I pull the trigger on the order.

Thanks in advance for any assistance. I do understand that I need to do my own research but here lately it seems the more I read the more confused I get.
Oledude

Welcome to the site oledude, I think you'll really like it here.

If your running 240v one element is plenty. I can heat a 10 gallon wash in about 35 minutes.

if your going to use 120v circuits, I'd recommend using two elements. I read on either this site or home distiller where one of the members used one 120v element with an RSC and the other element plugged into the outlet (separate circuit) during heat up only.

You can build the heat controller to run on 240v, 120v or both and it really works great.

Hi Oledude,
I also followed capnjack's thread and was so impressed that I contacted him. He built one for me set up to run on 110v and I can tell you that it offers very precise control over the heating element. I use two 2000w 110v elements with one connected to this controller. I highly reccomend this over a router speed contoller.
Maddawgs

CONGRATS!!! I know it took awhile but it's worth the wait. I did what Maddawgs suggested on the first page of this thread and replaced the spring style hose clamps and screwed a bracket into the top of the rubber bung for a handle and if I were you I would too...
Captinjack

The end of the wait is near! Just got the "shipped" e-mail. YEAH. Just another 1772.4 miles to go. Got my third generation of corn working and stripping it all and saving it for my first real run. Just like everyone else "I can't wait".

"Hi Hokey,
Glad to here your order is on it's way! Won""t be long now and it will be at your door... Let us know how your run turns out.
Captinjack"

I think they are finally going to get my PSII HC shipped to me. I called last Thursday and they told me it would go out Fri. or Mon. I waited till today to call back and the welder still hadn't finished with it. She said it would be at my house this Fri. though.
Edited: Got the shipped notification today! UPS scheduled to deliver Friday the 10th. Phew..........