 Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/14/2011(UTC)
Posts: 29
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"Have a new EE PSII HC. New to this and have only used an EasyStill till now to learn. Now I'm ready to test my knowledge and skill although a bit apprehensive. What's the best way to test, use simple water to test and distill it, use a small batch (less than 5 gallons), use electric or go straight to propane (can do both).
I'm guessing a smaller batch (not water), electric gives me ability to react to rising temperature and learn how to deal with the water control. Granted yield would be small but could still break a 5-6 gallon batch into 2 or maybe even 3 test cycles to learn.
As always guidance from the more knowedgeable, which is likely just about everyone.
Novice"
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 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
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Just make a sugar wash & run it. Collect everything. Put the collections back int he pot, add water to bring it back to 5 or so gallons and do it again. You'll start seeing how your unit operates & how water, air & kettle temps affect output. You can keep doing this until you have the general idea and then you can start learning the cuts. With the hot plate you will find that the heat is basically full on all the time & and all control is with water. Propane will be different. You will also find that insulating your kettle & column with reflectix will great aid temp stability. And don't forget the water hookups - cold at the bottom & exhaust at the top.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/14/2011(UTC)
Posts: 29
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You make it sound so easy. OK, we'll give that a whirl. Good to know that I can just add it back and top up with water.
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
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"""Top up""
No...charge your boiler no more than 3/4 full."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/14/2011(UTC)
Posts: 29
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So if I have an 8 gallon boiler put no more than 5 gallons in it, or are you suggesting even less than that?
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
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sounds about right at 5 gals
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/29/2011(UTC)
Posts: 16
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" Originally Posted by: ratflinger  Just make a sugar wash & run it. Collect everything. Put the collections back int he pot, add water to bring it back to 5 or so gallons and do it again. You'll start seeing how your unit operates & how water, air & kettle temps affect output. You can keep doing this until you have the general idea and then you can start learning the cuts. With the hot plate you will find that the heat is basically full on all the time & and all control is with water. Propane will be different. You will also find that insulating your kettle & column with reflectix will great aid temp stability. And don't forget the water hookups - cold at the bottom & exhaust at the top. In the home distillers handbook, the intake is at the top and the output is at the bottom. Can the still be hooked up either way?"
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Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
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Manual is incorrect I'd say.
Counter flow is best in this instance. Especially with those smallish product condensers
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Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 8/17/2008(UTC)
Posts: 424
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"LWTCS is correct. Coolest water at the bottom, on both the condenser & reflux tubes (if refluxing). In the condenser, if the vapor is hot enough, it can reflash if the tube is getting warmer as it travels. With counter-flow the vapor cools progressively, the further it travels, therefore reflashing is never an issue.
I've always ran my reflux tubes the same - in at the bottom & out at the top. Think I'll reverse that this next time & see if it makes a difference. I'm not expecting much difference as I pack copper pot scrubbers around the reflux tubes to maintain temp stability between the tubes."
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/29/2011(UTC)
Posts: 16
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 Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/6/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2
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[SIZE="3"][FONT="Comic Sans MS"]Hello, I'm a novice. Just got my 8 gallon milk can unit out of MH in CO. I'm confused on the hoses now. All of the diagrams show the cold going into the bottom ports, both reflux and condenser. I haven't even run it yet. What do I do, top or bottom? Wash is bubblin'. Thanks[/FONT]  [/SIZE]
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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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bottom is best--- condenser and tower.
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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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sorry, in the bottom and out the top. There thats better.
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Rank: Junior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 9/29/2011(UTC)
Posts: 16
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Cold water comes into bottom of both and returns out of top of both.
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Rank: Newbie Groups: Registered
Joined: 10/6/2011(UTC)
Posts: 2
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Thanks Guy's, bottom is top's.  (that just sounds bad) 
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