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Reflux Still Operation

KB51193 PolyPhoenix Air Still Pro | Reflux Still Operation

The Polyhoenix Air Still Pro can be used as a Pot Still or a Reflux Still.

Pot Stills are generally used to make spirits such as Whisky, Rum, Brandy, Gin from an appropriate wash. So, Whisky is distilled from a malt wash, Rum from a molasses wash, etc.

Reflux Stills include packing in the column which causes fractioning of the vapour (refluxing). This, combined with a slower output (in this instance forced by using a narrower Outlet Nipple) means that the flavours and by products of the wash are stripped so that pure ethanol only is distilled from the wash.

Reflux Still operation t.hrough the PolyPhoenix Air Still Proo can easily produce spirit of approximately 95% from a wash

Generally, in order to produce the best quality neutral spirit, a Stripping Run and then a Spirit (Reflux) run would be performed. If you are starting with low wines then a stripping run may not be necessary. In this case start with a Spirit Run.

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Reflux Still Mode

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Stripping Run

  1. Remove the packing (if installed in the column)

  2. Install the 1.2mm Outlet Nipple

  3. Clean and Assemble the Polyphoenix Air Still Pro

  4. Fill the boiler with up to 5L of the wash. NOTE: Do not overfill as this can cause puking, blockages or other issues

  5. Attach the Still Head to the Boiler

  6. Ensure the Polyphoenix Air Still Pro is on a stable, level surface and has plenty of clearance

  7. Place a suitable collection vessel under the Outlet

  8. (If using the RAPT Brew App) Select Pot Still Mode from the Air Still Pro Device screen

  9. (If using the on board controller) Select Pot Still Mode under Distilling Modes

  10. On the on board controller, use Select and the Up and Down buttons to navigate to Start Heating. Use Select to start the heating, which begins the distillation process

  11. As the wash comes to a boil, the fan and pump will turn on automatically. Once the wash is boiling, the distillate will start to collect through the Outlet Nipple

  12. The first 50ml of the wash will be diverted to the foreshots collection jar. This must be discarded as it potentially contains harmful byproducts of distillation

  13. The Polyphoenix Air Still Pro will continue to run until the End Temperature is reached. The ABV of the distillate will drop over this time as the alcohol in the wash is boiled off and distilled. When performing a Stripping Run, it is not necessary to collect cuts or seperate heads, hearts and tails - collect all distilled spirit. This is known as the 'low wines'

  14. Once the boiler cuts off, wait until the Polyphoenix Air Still Pro has cooled enough so it can be safely handled, and then proceed to the next step

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Spirit Run

  1. Discard the spent wash that remains in the boiler. Ensuring the boiler is cool enough to handle, rinse it out - it does not need to be cleaned thoroughly - a good rinse will suffice

  2. Pour the collected low wines into the boiler and dilute to at least 40% ABV or less. Ensure the boiler is filled to no higher than the MAX level indicator

  3. Attach the Still Head to the Boiler

  4. Install the Large Spiral Prismatic Packing in the column by removing the column cap and gin basket and carefully pouring the SPP in

  5. Install the 0.3mm Outlet Nipple. NOTE: The 0.5mm Outlet Nipple can also be used. This will speed up the run but drop the purity to approximately 90%. For the purest and best results, the 0.3mm Outlet Nipple is recommended

  6. Ensure the Polyphoenix Air Still Pro is on a stable, level surface and has plenty of clearance

  7. Place a suitable collection vessel under the Outlet

  8. (If using the RAPT Brew App) Select Reflux Still Mode from the Air Still Pro Device screen

  9. (If using the on board controller) Select Reflux Still Mode under Distilling Modes

  10. On the on board controller, use Select and the Up and Down buttons to navigate to Start Heating. Use Select to start the heating, which begins the distillation process.

  11. As the wash comes to a boil, the fan and pump will turn on automatically. Once the wash is boiling, the distillate will start to collect through the Outlet Nipple.

  12. The first 50ml of the wash will be diverted to the foreshots collection jar. This must be discarded as it potentially contains harmful byproducts of distillation

  13. The Polyphoenix Air Still Pro will continue to run until the End Temperature is reached. During a reflux run, only pure ethanol of up to 95% will be produced. The resulting spirit can then be diluted and flavouredarrow-up-right as desired

  14. Once the Polyphoenix Air Still Pro has cooled enough so it can be safely handled, clean the Polyphoenix Air Still Pro so it is ready for the next run. Cleaning as soon as possible after use will help avoid off flavours or other issues

A typical Reflux (Spirit) Run will take up to approximately 4 hours with a 5L wash

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