 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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"OK, I'm completely new to this so sorry if I ask dumb questions. I've read a bunch, but with all the different types of stills I'm having difficulty figuring out the answers with this particular one.
As the title says, I've got the Essential Extractor Pro Series II and have done a few runs. I've used a sugar wash and ceramic rings. My quality has ranged from 75-90%. So, here's my dumb questions:
1) Can you get the cooling water too cold? In my latest run (a second distillation that I had watered down to 50%) I had the water ice cold but was only getting about 80%.
2) I'm still not completely neutral. It has almost a sweet type of aftertaste, even after a second distillation. Is this indicative of something specific? FWIW, it still has this taste after a carbon filtration.
3) I keep reading about ""increasing the reflux ratio"". On this system, it seems like that could only be done with colder water, but my colder water didn't seem to help.
Am I missing something? Any other tips/tricks with this system that I should know?
Thanks in advance for any help."
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 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/3/2006(UTC)
Posts: 5
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"1) Can you get the cooling water too cold...
The problem is not the cooling water temperature. It could be the capability of the still, speed of takeoff, etc. Someone familiar with that still may have more suggestions.
2) I'm still not completely neutral....
It won't be at 80%. (Some like the sweetness, BTW ). Carbon filtering will help, best to get it neutral to start.
3) I keep reading about ""increasing the reflux ratio""....
Go slow, go slow, go slow....
DC"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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" Originally Posted by: dcrawford  Go slow, go slow, go slow....
OK. Everything I've read says to slow it down with the top part (ie. the cooling water), but if I've already got the cooling water as cold as it will go I must need to turn the burner down, right? I think this is starting to make some sense..."
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 4/3/2006(UTC)
Posts: 5
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"You seem focused on the cooling water temperature. If it's condensing the vapor, it's cold enough. (On my still, even 80 degree water works.)
In an nutshell:
The faster you take the product, the lower the reflux ratio. Increase the ratio by filling your receiver jar slower. (Is there a valve on the output?)
I don't think you need a 'rolling boil' - just a slow simmer.
DC"
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 Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 501
Was thanked: 8 time(s) in 8 post(s)
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What are you using for a heat source? If you either use too much heat for the column diameter, or a cyclical heat source, you will have problems.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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" Originally Posted by: Admin What are you using for a heat source? If you either use too much heat for the column diameter, or a cyclical heat source, you will have problems. I'm using the Broilking 1100w hotplate. I've been running it wide open to keep it from cycling. And, as I stated, I've been trying to cool at the top end. Am I correct that if I do the modification listed here ( http://www.brewhaus.com/hotplate-adaptation) that it will just run wide open? If so, I could then use the Harbor Freight ""router speed control"" ( http://www.harborfreight.com/cp...tem.taf?Itemnumber=43060) to get a constant, yet cooler, heat source. Does this all sound correct? Thanks!"
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 501
Was thanked: 8 time(s) in 8 post(s)
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The 1100W hotplate is very well suited to the PSII unit, when run at maximum with no cycling, and without the use of a diffuser plate. This will give you enough heat to operate the unit effectively, with only a small amount of cooling water. There will be no need to use any type of controller to reduce the heat output from this hotplate.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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" Originally Posted by: Admin The 1100W hotplate is very well suited to the PSII unit, when run at maximum with no cycling, and without the use of a diffuser plate. This will give you enough heat to operate the unit effectively, with only a small amount of cooling water. There will be no need to use any type of controller to reduce the heat output from this hotplate. That's what I was doing, but I was still only getting an average of 80%. (I know, that's still pretty good, but I thought it should be able to do better)."
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 501
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Is the temperature at the top of your column remaining stagnant? Are you getting any surging?
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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" Originally Posted by: Admin Is the temperature at the top of your column remaining stagnant? Are you getting any surging? It was pretty stable. It sat at 78-79 for a long time, and then crept up to 81(obviously C). I don't know if it matters, but the alcohol percentage was actually *worse* on the second distillation. This was a total of about 4 gallons at about 40%. I was wondering if the lower volume, combined with the higher alcohol percentage, meant for a lower boiling point and/or less need for heat. As I stated above, I had a TON of ice and kept the top end COLD, if that makes any difference. Thanks for all your help on this. One of the reasons I bought your system is that you were the best at answering my questions on the front end. Your willingness to continue helping only makes me more pleased to be a customer."
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 501
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I appreciate your positive comments, and we will certainly do our best to continue deserving them.
I am not sure that I understand your comment about the alcohol content being 'worse'. Can you please let me know the proof before and after, as well as the volume placed into the kettle and that collected. You may find the second distillation to be faster than a first run, however, the purity should be considerably improved.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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"Sorry, my terminology isn't the best as I am new. I didn't want to bog down with details, but here they are...
For the first batch I used a 25 liter sugar wash, resulting between 75-91%, averaging about 85%.
For the second batch I used a 25 liter sugar wash, resulting between 75-91%, averaging about 85%.
The third batch was the second distillation of all the alcohol from the first two batches. I watered it back down to 40%, resulting in about 4 gallons of 40% liquid. This distillation was indeed faster, but (only) resulted in an average of 80% ABV. I ran the 1100W Broilking at full heat, with ICE COLD cooling water. The temperature sat at 78-79 for a long time, and then crept up to 81 towards the end."
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 501
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What speed are you collecting at- both for first and second runs?
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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" Originally Posted by: Admin What speed are you collecting at- both for first and second runs? I don't know. After reading some more, I realize that would be a good thing to keep record of, but I haven't been doing it. It may not make any difference, but I find that (after tossing the first 100ml as foreshots) the next 250ml has the highest ABV, at around 90%, after that it starts to go down."
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Rank: Administration Groups: Administrators
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
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It sounds like too much heat, or a lack of needed heat loss. Are you insulating any portion of the unit? Are you sure that it is our 1100W hotplate?
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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" Originally Posted by: Admin It sounds like too much heat, or a lack of needed heat loss. Cool. That's roughly the same conclusion I had made, so it's good to have an expert come to the same conclusion. I bought the ""router speed controller"" from Harbor Freight so I can play with that on my next try. Originally Posted by: Admin Are you insulating any portion of the unit? No. I have plans to insulate the column but haven't done it. Originally Posted by: Admin Are you sure that it is our 1100W hotplate? Yes. It the Broilking 1100W. One last question. I have a wash going right now and I have some free time this weekend. I just started the wash on Monday so I'm certain that it will be finished bubbling, but won't be clear, by this weekend. I've read conflicting reports on what will happen if I don't let it clear. Some people tend to say that it won't matter if doing a reflux run, others disagree. What do you think?"
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 5/13/2007(UTC)
Posts: 86
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Turn the router speed control to the on position and get full heat up. Then turn to half on the knob and flip to the knob side. The control will not work unless you have heated the element to full heat first. The homedistiller guys are half right. It does work if you heat the element firrst, then flip the switch. it seems to mimic a phase motor. If you find the control gets too hot, drill the sides of the box with holes like swiss cheese then reassemble. You may also need to remove the clip and add a large heat sink to the metal plate. as a last ditch a small fan if needed. Holes will probably be adequete for the hot plate, but it may be fine as is.
The control probably won't help that much till you run as a pot.
The wash will stink. you can't rush a good thing, or it won't be good. on the other hand it will go bad if you leave it too many months.......
You need blocks of ice in your water. Get your cooling water up high as the inlet, or higher and the pump can pump more volume and cool better. get the valve to split your condenser and column cooler lines.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/13/2007(UTC)
Posts: 3
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"I fill my bath tub 3/4 with my hoses at opposite ends, input hose at fawcet end of tub. Turning on the cold water when needed I'm able to control that temp at the tower very well to say the least and do not need to mess around with ice; Been there, aint goin back.
Five gallons mash yeilds me about 1/2 gallon awesome hooch, but after that 1/2 gallon I move the output hose to another vessel as the abv is depleting fast at this point. Gonna try something new next batch see if I can get a bit more of the good stuff.
Been told this wont happen, but I need to see for myself.....
By the way, I follow the directions from "" Home Distillation Handbook "" by
Ola Norrman to letter and am getting GREAT results....
Best of luck to ya...."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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" Originally Posted by: jorober5 I bought the ""router speed controller"" from Harbor Freight so I can play with that on my next try. I just wanted to chime back in and let everyone know about my try with this. It got hot in a big hurry, so I unplugged it and plugged my Broilking right back into the wall. I did NOT do the swiss cheese and fan that ""Brew"" suggested. That might work, but I'm not really a big fan of electrical fires, so I didn't want to press my luck. Also, for the first time ever the Broilking decided to cycle, even with it turned all the way to ""high"". I hadn't mangled the thermostat because it had never cycled before. I'm just having a tough time getting the thing to sit on the right temperature, so I'm stuck with output around the 70-80% range. I realize that's not bad, but I'd really like to get to the 90-95% range. I'm thinking more and more that propane might be the way to go..."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 6/6/2007(UTC)
Posts: 12
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"I'm digging up an old thread with some new questions after more trial and error. Any help would be appreciated.
I did two sugar washes and two stripping runs with the Essential Extractor Pro Series II. No packing in the column and cooling water only in the condenser. This resulted in about 65% ABV, happened very quickly, and I was pleased with the result.
I watered it back down to make about 5 gallons of 40% to do a reflux spirits run. I have a propane heat source, very cold cooling water, ceramic rings as packing, and have insulated the column.
After it came to a boil, I literally had the propane as low as possible without it cutting off. It was a bit wierd because at times it was one drop every two seconds, at others it was surging out fairly quickly. I was averaging 25ml / minute at a consistent 83%. When it was watered back down to 40% it had some off flavors that almost reminded me of tequila. Filtering helped with this but it's still not completely neutral.
I'd really like to find 90% or more consistently. Does anyone have an suggestions?
Thanks!"
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