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Originally Posted by: ttowntrader 
I just recently bought the PSII, and am running my first batch through it. I also bought the 1100W hotplate. We are not using the diffuser plate, and the temperature will not stay anywhere near constant. It goes from 65-85 then back again, repeatedly, without me ever changing the setting on the hotplate. I was wondering if this was normal, or if I'm doing something wrong, or the plate is defective. Also, our distillate is only coming out about 60%. Are we pushing it too fast? My friend is a chemical engineer, and he said it sounded like the column needed to be higher. Should I put the reflux column on, and just leave out the packing, or is it something else? Last thing - I've seen several people talking about boiling stones, and a few mentioning they use the Raschig Rings. How does that help anything? Sorry for all the questions in one post.
Thanks
T-Town
The diffuser plate is used to even out the heat input and help eliminate the on off heat surges from the hot plate. Also, it is best to bypass the thermostat, so it is always on- directions in the archives. Insulate the column and top 2/3 of the pot. I use fiberglass with secureing ties.
Boiling chips help a lot. I use a cup of rashig rings, but broken glass, unglazed pottery, marbles, copper pennies, pea gravel all work, and I have used them all. Rashig rings work best for me. Breaks the hard boil into someathing like a fast simmer with lots of little bubbles instead of like a balloon busting causing problems in the column and condenser.
Next big issue, is the water and temp. flow. You should be able to control reflux from 100% to a moderate flow. Do the first for 30 minutes, and begin takeoff slowly till foreshots and then heads are gone, than increase speed a bit till tails- off taste, smell, and riseing temps. Then shut off all reflux water and just collect tails fast.
You do all this via water volume flow, and temp of water. Use frozen jugs of water if useing recycle pump.
I highly recommend doing a stripping run via pot still mode, on several washes, then doing the long spirit run. Check out the archives for that or ask.
Besides quality, the boiling chips are a safety feature, as it helps eliminate ethanol fumes plunging out instead of a steady flow.
I switched to a digital thermostat at the top, with an alarm which really helped me.
This is an art form. Takes a bit of time and experiance to master.
Someday, I hope to!"
