Where to buy an immersion heater capable of ~55c?

[KEG]

I'm interested in making a still along the lines of http://www.amazingstill.com ...
Does anyone on here know where I can get a fish tank style immersion heater capable of going up to about 55 degrees? Most fish tank heaters I've seen only go to about 32. Do any HBS's sell them?

Cheers

[rwh]

G&G and CraftBrewer don't seem to have them, but I've seen them at Australian Winemakers in North Melbourne. Dunno what their temp range is, maybe give them a call.

[tazman67]

Maybe ty the pet shops ? Are you looking for a aquarium heater ?

[KEG]

that's the sort of thing, yes, but it needs to go higher than most aquarium heaters will..

[lethaldog]

You will need it to go up more along the lines of 80-90*C to get a good drinkable spirit as far as i know

When they say that you will get 35-40% alc then you have to realise that there is 60-65% of the shit getting through, you would be better off buying a good still that will get you up over 80% and no risk to your health or eyesight ( except for over indulgence) a top knotch one will set you back about $500 but is well worth it for the lack of risk ( if you do it right) or you can get a super reflux condenser for about $300 and make the pot if your able to do it and fit an element yourself

[KEG]

too high a temperature will distill out the heavy alcohols... this distilling method is designed to work over a couple days.. check the link, it actually seems quite credible. the whole 'saturating the airspace inside the outer container' to cause condensation makes sense to me.

[lethaldog]

Sorry mate it could be good but just sounds dodgy to me, im no expert but i do have a fair knowledge of this and like i said on a % basis 35-40 is just to low to get a great quality clean spirit, i could be wrong but i would be carefull if i was you cos it can be very detrimental to your health if not done right

[tazman67]

mmm... Im interested in this amazing still as well. Like everything sounds to good to br true. Had a super reflux still and used to get about 9 litres at 94%, which was great !

[rwh]

I had a look yesterday in Australian Winemakers, and all the immersion heaters they have only go up to 30°C or so.

Maybe you need to get a heating element out of a kettle or something (or can you buy them separately?) and use a fridgemate on heating mode for the thermostat.

[chuckles]

This is all very interesting but no one has yet answered the question as to where to get an immersion heater of that temperature range. I too would like to make the same still and am having trouble getting one. The link in the the amazingstill.com, http://www.partyman.se, sell them but they seem to have had a fire. Does anyone know who their suppliers are?

[tazman67]

check out Ibrews site...there in QLD

[chuckles]

Just found a site to buy the immersion heater it is... http://www.partyman.se/heater_letter_order.html#. Happy brewing.

[joe harp1]

The principle of the amazing still is similar to getting water from the ground using evaporation. In survival school they said to dig a hole in the ground about 3 foot cubed. Put a bucket in the bottom. Place a sheet of plastic over the hole and put a small rock or golf ball in the center of the plastic over the bucket. 24 hours later you will have water in the bucket.

Party-man has an immersion heater but they want about $44 for the heater and the part I object to is the $29 for shipping.

I am working with Jayne at Ibrew for a newer type.

After I collect my spirits from a week I plan on putting all of the spirits in a large open stainless pot and bringing it up to 170f until the level comes down a bit to get rid of any "heads".

If I find out any more I will post.

Frank

[joe harp1]

www.brewhaus.com/Heater-110V-P984C97.aspx. for the immersion heater.

Anyone have experience on what is the best ambient air temperature to sit the amazing still in?