76 TROUBLE SHOOTINGTrouble shootingDistillation fails to startCheck that the heating is on. Check that the heat source has sufficient capacity and is set fully on. It can take several hours to heat up the mash. Is there mash in the boiling vessel Is there free passage for the steam/distillate through the column, cooler and hoseContaminated spirit flows from the apparatusToo much mash in the boiling vessel. Pour some off.Spirit comes out but is not clearThe column filling is dirty or home made. Clean or change. Too much mash in the boiling vessel. Pour some off.The mash surge boilsThere can be a thermostat on the heater. Remove it or change the ring. The cooling water hose is reversed. Check against the sketch in this book. Too much mash in the boiling vessel. Allow for at least 200 mm space. One litre of boiling stones (i.e., Rachi rings) in the bottom of the boiling vessel spreads the heat more evenly and reduces surge boiling. Add some anti foaming agent for example M10 Stabil. If you have a water well and pump, water pressure can vary which can cause surge boiling. There are several solutions to this.
