Forget the T500? Distillery Boss Raves About Saturn 2
Talking about the new Saturn2 reflux column and 65-litre, 3500-watt boiler combo I caught up with Bryce, CEO of 4217 Spiritz.
I asked him what he thought after running our Saturn2 reflux column with Kegland’s 65 litre 3500 watt DigiBoil boiler.
He’s no backyard hobbyist – Bryce runs a registered distillery with a full line-up of gear, from big-volume rigs down to the popular T500.
First Impressions
“As the CEO of a registered distillery, I was interested in trying out the Saturn2 distillation head because I’ve got several units, from large-volume stills right down to the T500,” Bryce told me straight up.
“I honestly thought the T500 would be the benchmark, but the Saturn outperformed it by miles and miles – in every way.”
It was clear from the way he spoke that the result had surprised him. Bryce is used to top-end kit and doesn’t hand out compliments easily.
Cooling Water Performance
“What really sticks out in my mind is the cooling water. There’s no bloody adjustment needed. Just set it up for 2 to 2.5 litres a minute and that’s it,” he explained.
“The speed is so quick. We turned on the water when the heads started to come … it was only 31°C. Even Keith Emms couldn’t give me a reason for the low temperature.”
That kind of stability is exactly what makes distillers smile – less fiddling, more confidence.
Boiler Test Run
Bryce ran the Saturn2 with a 65-litre Kegland boiler, pulling the full 3500 watts from a 15-amp connection. “We used 25 litres of wash at 20°C. The heads began after 28 minutes, and the hearts were finished 1 hour and 8 minutes after the start,” he said.
The yield? “We got 3 litres of alcohol out of a fairly ordinary wash at 86% – very clean.
“We’d probably have gone into the 90-plus percent range if we’d turned the power down, but for us the taste is the first priority. And the speed is a great advantage.”
Bryce also pointed out a neat feature: “The Saturn2 has a wash refill valve built in, so you can start another run as soon as you drain the waste from the boiler tap.”
Cleaning and Maintenance
Cleaning can be a hassle with some stills, but Bryce seemed impressed. “Cleaning is recommended after 10 distillations. Once again, the Saturn teaches the T500 a lesson. You can clean it in place, using the spirit outlet and emptying into the boiler.”
The Verdict
“My opinion of the alcohol is more positive than the T500 and even some of the bigger stills we have,” Bryce summed up.
Coming from someone with his background, that’s a big call.
From what I saw and heard, the Saturn2 isn’t just a step up – it’s a leap forward.
Until next time… Happy Distilling!
Cheers
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