The trick with caramelisation is to get yourself a large le Cruset stockpot, and put it on the stove and get it as hot as possible. What you then do is to take about a liter of the first runnings in a jug and pour it onto the hot pan (If foams up a bit as this is done so you have been warned). It should reduce down erally quickly, when you get to the toffee stage, take another liter of runnings (1st runnings not required) add that to the pan and dissolve the caramel .. . add back to the boiler.