First pot design (sketchup)

[Soldat Louis]

Hi all,

Been reading the forums for a few days and got a lot of infos.

After a few hours on Sketchup and in the local stores (to see what's available), here is a design I'd like to confirm.

I've yet to find the boiler and the column, but I intend to keep all parts separate (boiler / column / neck / liebig) and interchangeable.

The unions are 20x27 threading, interior 21mm with free collet (the union can be rotated to adjust column angle)

general view

details

What does HD think ?

[Coaster]

@ Soldat Louis,

Welcome to the Forum.

.....What does HD think ?.....

You don’t need to attempt to make a Pot Still a complicated device. Your design induces passive reflux which can remove the “Flavor” from the sprit distillate which defeats the design purpose function of a Pot Still.

Suggest viewing the Forum Member Samohon known proven simple design Pot Still ->

http://homedistiller.org/forum/download/file.php?id=12153

Regards,
Coaster

[midcarolina]

First......... figure out what kind of likker you want......flavors or neutrals

figure out what size boiler you want.......and heat method.......... then size all of your components to match potential output volume

Makes no sense to have a 2" column that has a 3/4 choke point at boiler connection..........

[rad14701]

I see a lot of wasted time and effort there, Soldat Louis... Not to sound condescending but do you have a firm enough grasp on the theories of distillation and still design to be doodling up new and unproven designs...??? For s first build you should be considering a proven design for the type(s) of spirits you are looking to make... Start out simple and cheap until you determine that this won't be a "here today, gone tomorrow" hobby... As with all hobbies, the associated costs are greater than originally imagined...

[Coyote]

If your trying for flavor that rig will disappoint you in a hurry.

Read the parent site to understand the theory

Read it 3 times every word

then spend about 50 hours reading the forums, maybe a 100 hours

then ask your questions. This is not a "go fast" hobby. I understand the desire to jump in
and get something happening.

Please don't do it that way

So down - Take your time - You will get a more harmonious outcome

Be safe

Coyote

[Prairiepiss]

Find Samohon's pot still diagram. It can be found as a pdf in the plans and diagrams thread. Easy Peasy.

[Soldat Louis]

As for reading, I think I've hit the 100 hours mark some time ago... (lastly, I browsed the entire "pot still" forum, stg around 600 threads ?). So, not to sound condescending myself, but please make a point, don't just say "won't work" .

The choke point between the boiler and the column serves both to prevent mash getting in the column and some reflux. In the same way that some boilers have two parts (cucurbite+chapiteau, don't know the english words). After the choke point, the vapors slow down.
EDIT : Samohon's pot has a 40mm "choke point" before the 54mm column, and it's working.

I'm inclined, after your reactions, to remove the vertical section (between column and condenser).

As for usage :
- brandy (white wines)
- some apple mashes
- UJSSM
- and some neutral to make macerations and herbal liqueurs

Heat : 5500 W propane. (that kind of heater, new from the store, is about 24 euros around here)
Boiler : no idea. I'm visiting local scrap yards next week to get parts and make a 20 gallons boiler.
EDIT : thinking about boiler size, I don't see how it changes the column design : once you get a Q quantity of heat you'll get a V quantity of vapor to treat, wether it's a 20 gal or a 200gal.

I will study the Samohon's pot design

[Prairiepiss]

As for reading, I think I've hit the 100 hours mark some time ago... (lastly, I browsed the entire "pot still" forum, stg around 600 threads ?). So, not to sound condescending myself, but please make a point, don't just say "won't work" .

The choke point between the boiler and the column serves both to prevent mash getting in the column and some reflux. In the same way that some boilers have two parts (cucurbite+chapiteau, don't know the english words). After the choke point, the vapors slow down.
At the size we work with in the hobby. You won't find this will make a big enough difference to warrant doing it. Without forced reflux it won't make that big of a difference.

I'm inclined, after your reactions, to remove the vertical section (between column and condenser).

As for usage :
- brandy (white wines)
- some apple mashes
- UJSSM
- and some neutral to make macerations and herbal liqueurs

Heat : 5500 W propane. (that kind of heater, new from the store, is about 24 euros around here)
Boiler : no idea. I'm visiting local scrap yards next week to get parts and make a 20 gallons boiler.

I will study the Samohon's pot design

His design is simple and easy. Will give you great results. One union and it can be broke down to two pieces for storage.

[Prairiepiss]

Here is the pdf download link for Samohons out still.
download/file.php?id=12153