copper balls

[ssw]

what are the function of copper balls on pot still column i would like to know all benefits

[heartcut]

Gives a little reflux, makes the abv a little higher and the taste a little lighter. Emphasis on a little. They do look cool.

[ssw]

what i was thinking looks cool but didnt know if they were worth the trouble of a rebuild

[Prairiepiss]

It allows the vapors to expand a bit. Expanding vapors tend to cool a little. Add this to the increased surface area of the ball as a cooling area for passive reflux. And you get a bit more passive reflux then you would with a straight column. Now the size of most hobby stills won't benefit to much from it. Unless its huge. Or you run it really slow? But when you get into the big boy stills that's when it really makes a difference.

Like heartcut said this passive reflux will up your ABV and make a little lighter product. How much on a hobby size still? Hard to tell?

But they really look cool.

[ssw]

thanx for a great explanation

[Prairiepiss]

Like I said they really look cool.

[heynonny]

They dont have to be copper or round to work. I have found with my setup that I can run hotter and faster in stripping runs without puking over. This is my main reason for having one.

(The top 1/2 = ss bowl from 'kitchenade' mixer & bottom a small ss mixing bowl, both from Goodwill 50c each) Plus $25 worth of copper fittings (2" m & 2" f pipe x solder fittings)
-hey-

[Odin]

A ball on top of an traditional alambic seems to perform almost like a miracle. It gives you like a destillation and a half. But only if you run her slow. Also (especially?) at stripping. The extra vapour/reflux/copper contact helps lower sulfite contents of the final spirit. On a traditional alambic they seem to loose out a bit on higher abv. So great for low abv mashes ran slowly.

Odin.

[ssw]

They dont have to be copper or round to work. I have found with my setup that I can run hotter and faster in stripping runs without puking over. This is my main reason for having one.

S_bulb.jpg

(The top 1/2 = ss bowl from 'kitchenade' mixer & bottom a small ss mixing bowl, both from Goodwill 50c each) Plus $25 worth of copper fittings (2" m & 2" f pipe x solder fittings)
-hey-

how did you make conections and did you just solder bowls together

[ssw]

Like I said they really look cool.

1330880882-picsay.jpg

where did you get balls like that they real expensive and how you put them in middle of say 2" column do you just 2" hole and solder

[heynonny]

ssw said

how did you make conections and did you just solder bowls together

First, the copper fittings were copper bronze tig welded from the inside, then the 2 'halves' were tigged together, , , , -hey-

[Prairiepiss]

Like I said they really look cool.

1330880882-picsay.jpg

where did you get balls like that they real expensive and how you put them in middle of say 2" column do you just 2" hole and solder

Sory can't say where I got them. I know a guy but they don't sell to public. But I will be looking for future sales of them. Will post here as soon as its worked out.

My plan is to cut a 2" hole in it flare it out so the 2" pipe will fit. Then flare the 2" pipe so when its put together the two flares are mated. Giving the joint more surface area. This is what I did with the ball on my still I'm using now. There should be a pic in my build thread. My stuff link in signature.