Basic parts :
1. electric cooker 2kW with CE mark 2. power cable
3. distillation pot 4. herb‘s basket
5. power clip (fast connection) 6. silicone sealing
7. cover 8. release valve
9. 3-clamp silicone sealing 10. 3-clamp connection
11. cooler 12. digital thermometer
13. water outlet 14. valve/water inlet
Installation of a 10 L mini hobby still
Take the product out of the box. Place the stove(1) and still(3) in the place provided for the distillation process. For uninterrupted operation, an electrical supply connection is required, according to the specification of the 220 V electric stove.
Pour 10 L of mass prepared for distillation into the pot(3), then place the cap(7) on the still (turn the safety valve(8) opposite you), then connect them and fasten them with a fast clip(5), making sure that the silicone seal(6) of the clip fits well on the edges and caps of the still.
Check that the fast clip has fastened the still parts sufficiently (if there is a need to tighten the screw on the part of the clip intended for tightening). Prepare the cooler(11) and place it in the appropriate position on the cap, making sure that the silicone seal(9) of 3-clamp fits well between the cooler and the cap. Then fasten the parts with a 3-clamp connection(10), tightening the screw. Place the digital thermometer(12) on the probe inlet located in the upper part of the cooler connection pipe. Connect the water drain hose to the intended position on the cooler(13). The cooler is made with quick hose connections that have a securing mechanism for connection.The quick connection ensures a quality connection and prevents leaks. Then connect the water supply hose to the fast connection(14) positioned on the lower part of the cooler and check that the water supply control valve is properly closed. The water supply pipe has an identical mechanism as the drain pipe, accordingly there will be no water leakage and any losses. Before the start of distillation, check that all parts are properly connected, primarily the fast clip and 3-clamp.
Distillation process
Depending on the type of beverage or essential oil produced, please follow the next steps:
* when making essential oils, place the essential oil extraction sieve on the edge of the pot before placing the cap. The water level should not touch the herbs for essential oils (it must be below the sieve, minimum 20mm).
* in the production of spirits, turn on the stove to maximum power to heat the still (mash) and reach a temperature of 79.3 - 82°C on the digital thermometer (range of evaporation of ethyl alcohol), and then reduce to half the power / strength of the stove (except in the case of extraction of essential oil, when the stove can remain at a maximum throughout the process).
* monitor the temperature on the thermometer during the distillation process,
* monitor the temperature of the effluent distillate (it should not be above 20-22°C)
* control the water supply by fine-tuning the cooler valve.
Disassembly of the still
After distillation is finished, wait for the still to cool down, then empty and clean the still. During disassembling, use appropriate protective equipment, handling the still with gloves. Disassembly of the hose for water supply and drainage is done by pressing the securing ring and then the hose is free to be disassembling. Remove the digital thermometer, remove the 3-clamp clip and silicone seal, then remove the cooler. Open the fast clip and separate the pot and the cap, then empty the pot and clean it with clean water. Prepare the still for the next distillation.
Pot still maintenance
The most important thing for proper maintenance of the distillation pot still is to clean all its parts after cooling. This has to be done in such a manner that the copper parts are not damaged either mechanically or chemically. For normal operation it is sufficient to wash all the parts which were in contact with the mash or distillate with clean warm water at least twice. If fruit mash was burnt inside the still during the operation it shall be cleaned after cooling. We recommend you use wet cloth and place small amount of the finest sand on it and rub the burnt parts of the still little by little. Be careful so as not to scratch of the copper parts. Work slowly and take longer time. Clean the still to the metal shine. Then wipe off the still with a clean cloth soaked in citric acid. The manufacturer shall not be liable for the damage of the product arising from improper or negligent use or operation. The manufacturer shall not be liable for the damage of the product arising from improper or negligent use or operation.