Thatch

A good explanation from Wiki and how it might apply to a fermenter Electrical bonding is the practice of intentionally electrically connecting all exposed metallic items not designed to carry electricity in a room or building as protection from electric shock. If a failure of electrical insulation occurs, all bonded metal objects in the room will have substantially the same electrical potential, so that an occupant of the room cannot touch two objects with significantly different potentials. Even if the connection to a distant earth ground is lost, the occupant will be protected from dangerous potential differences. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electrical_bonding

I'm not sure what you're reading in this thread but the people who have been hurt to the tune of hundreds of thousands of dollar are people who trusted Corson. Perhaps Paul could/should have stayed out of it but he was the only vendor/competitor in the mix. I have no idea how you do business in South Africa but up here we have vendors that are for real and others that are fakes. Without this community a perspective buyer could not tell one from another. Frankly, Paul deserves a pass on this. Although he's always pitching Affordable Distilling he has helped many people where he has no chance to sell them anything. IMHO

Sent most of these to our lady distiller. https://www.tastingtable.com/drinks/national/women-liquor-distillers-whiskey-vodka-rum-scotch https://www.foodandwine.com/news/cocktails-spirits/women-whiskey-distillers https://vinepair.com/articles/the-secret-history-of-women-distillers/ https://www.supercall.com/culture/top-female-distillers

Can't imagine why you would sell because of a hip replacement. I've had each done and and I have rods and screws in my back. It's been about 12 years since the first and 7 since the second but hips are easy rehab as long as you have a good surgeon and do what they tell you to do. I think I was on crutches for 5 weeks but I cheated. BTW, I'm 72 now and had the first done when I was 60. The rods and screws came when I was 70 yet I play golf several times per week as well as pickleball. If you have a good business figure out a way to keep the ball rolling, this is just a small bump in the road.

Make sure that the spent grain is not used as animal feed. The ethanol distillation process also has the potential to concentrate ergot alkaloids. While ethanol plants do have ergot limits, ensure that dried distiller’s grains (DDGS) made from wheat are ergot free. http://www.beefresearch.ca/blog/ergot/

It's poison and can kill a person or animal. If your question is, will distilling remove ergot, I don't know.

We are a malt house. We cannot accept grain with ergot. But, there are many article on how to clean the grain to remove the ergot. It is not even fit for animal feed without being cleaned unless the concentration is ultra-low

These close when the bottle is removed https://morewinemaking.com/products/stainless-steel-bottle-washer.html https://www.midwestsupplies.com/bottle-washer But, I have no idea if the washers or any internal parts might not be appropriate for ethanol.

Seems like this may be what you are looking for but I have no idea what proof ethanol might be okay. https://www.allinonewinepump.com/product/pressurized-bottle-washer-sanitizer/

drop dishwashing liquid detergent (DWLD)

Our water temp is 47 now and will get lower. I guess it all depends on how much you want to mash. Our tun is 550 gallons and we are 100% barley malt. We use a grist hydrator and the flow rate is what we need to match the water flow with the malt flow and prevent clumping.

Happy with our A.O. Smith https://www.build.com/ao-smith-atio-910-an/s1329791?uid=3167497 Heavy Duty, industrial, really does the job.

The people who write the codes were asked to justify the discrepancy between the fire code and the building code. The OP's original question was about avoiding H-3. Once you exceed MAQ you are H occupancy for barrel storage. We have all seen and/or read on this forum about the guy who has 100 barrels and is F-1. In that case the AHJ has only looked at the fire code and not at the building code. The OP's fire marshal has consulted both codes.

Sorry, wrong link http://www.klausbruckner.com/blog/distillery-storage-dilemmas/

You were not fully informed. You have many codes to consult, fire, building and electrical. The biggest determing factor is your AHJ (authority having jurisdiction) and his interpretation of the codes. It is very unlikely you will be able to avoid a H3 classification in your barrel area unless you have less than (I believe) 30 gallons of spirits. This link does a pretty good job of explaining the codes that affect distilleries. http://ferar.net/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/pub_Distiller_Winter2018.pdf

Thanks Glen, I have talked to and written to Joe several times in hopes of procuring one of his creations. If you find it necessary to part with it let me know. thatchertm@gmail.com.

Hey Glen, I don't want to hijack this thread. Can you start another post and tell us about your still? I would be great to have input from someone using a continuous as to the ups and downs. Who built it, how fast is it, how is it powered would be great starting points.

Only if you want/need your local weights and measures agency to certify it as correct for trade. In Ohio they are only allowed to certify NTEP.

David Dunbar is the most recommended on this forum. dhdunbar1@gmail.com. We used him on our application which was rather complicated but he brought it home with ease. Dave is retired from the TTB. Highly recommended. David Dunbar <dhdunbar1@gmail.com>

@SouthernhighlanderDid he quote the code he was applying or is this a done deal? There's nothing I can find in any code that refers to the drain on the still.

As it has been said many times on this forum, the AHJ is the boss. As soon as the inspector told @Southernhighlander that the manway is a fill opening, this code became part of the discussion. NFPA 30 Table 7.3.3 Drum and container filling – outdoors or indoors – NEC Class 1, Div 1, Zone 1 within 3’ of the vent or fill opening, extending in all directions. NEC Class 1, Div 2, Zone 2 from 3’ to 5’ from the vent or fill opening, extending in all directions; also, up to 18” above floor or grade level within a horizontal radius of 10 ft from the vent or fill opening. Also, Div 1 for the trench below floor level.

Good Company good equipment https://www.commoditytraders.biz/new-equipment/custom-built-auger/

Hi Pete, I tried to PM you but your messaging is turned off. We are somewhat similar to you. I have a distillery inside a malt house and we deal directly with our farmers to grow a specific variety of barley for us. We also will be making whiskey. The 5 points you make are perfect for us. The 2000 liters in 8 hours is the number I am looking for but I would want to do it with 480 volt 3 phase electricity. Any idea who I could talk to about building such a still? Or, where can I get plans for such a still. Ferromit.com is not responding but I might purchase his plans online to get some ideas. Cheers, Thatch

Who's plans are you using Pete? I am familiar with http://www.ferromit.com He's in the Southern Hemisphere as well.

I've been following this thread. If Paul, Mike and Meerkat actually solve the problem for Jen they get my championship trophy. GREAT effort guys!