Building a New Still

[rabeb2525]

Going to be putting together a new boiler for my setup. Right now I basically have a 7gallon milk carton, with a SS 3inch column and I am now going to adapt a column to my beer boil kettle(16g sanke keg with 12 5/8" hole in the top).

I was thinking something along the lines of these parts:

1. 1811T22
1. 43505K356
1. http://www.brewhaus.com/Tri-Clamp-to-NP ... 7C130.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

My main question was gasket materials, my tri-clamps have a rubber gasket (I think). Should I just get a sheet, and cut my own for the boiler to bowl, and the bowl to column? I would rather use the highest quality parts I can (i.e. no flour paste). I was also curious on attachment from the boiler to bowl. I will be using all SS connectors and everything.

Thanks!

[olddog]

There are lots of methods of sealing Tri-clamps listed on this site, Do NOT use rubber.

[eternalfrost]

i would HIGHLY suggest getting a new keg with a full top. this way you can clamp right onto the keg no mess

also, from experience id advise against the NPT fittings, I had that same exact one and NPT threads just wont fully seal. check out the easy flange sticky thread on here. that way works a charm and is basically free.

thats what im using now, just pop in a balsawood gasket and clamp the sucker on the keg and your off.

[minime]

tri clover gaskets also come in Teflon which is safe according to The Chemist

[rabeb2525]

Thanks,
I do have a few unmolested kegs here. I will just use that ( I already have the tri clover 2inch to 3 inch adapter). I just wanted to adapt it into my brewing system for ease of use ( all electric and automated). I guess I will still do the turkey fryer method

[Tater]

tri clover gaskets also come in Teflon which is safe according to The Chemist

to quote holy --Read this thread: http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=9480

Basically, a chemist who works in the alcohol industry tested one type of teflon, and one type of PTFE tape. They both appeared to be safe and not leach anythin' into the alcohol. What manufacturer and product line? We don't know. Are other manufacturers PTFE tapes and teflons safe? We don't know. If ya go to the store and randomly buy PTFE tape and teflon gaskets will ya be safe and ok? We don't know.

[eternalfrost]

Thanks,
I do have a few unmolested kegs here. I will just use that ( I already have the tri clover 2inch to 3 inch adapter). I just wanted to adapt it into my brewing system for ease of use ( all electric and automated). I guess I will still do the turkey fryer method

its fairly easy to make your own electric keg using tools found in most any garage. Its even easier if you know a welder...

this thread shows how I made my electric boiler. its still chuggin' along about a year after I made it.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=8410" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Ive never tried propane, but would strongly recommend internal electric. you can insulate 100% and get massive power input all while running it practically anywhere you want. also mush less risk of setting your hooch ablaze!

[Hack]

Just another view. I love my propane turkey burner and keg with an 8" hole cut in the top. The turkey burner comes already setup with easy temperature adjustment. I like the peace of mind of being able to visually inspect my keg and reach in and scrub it out. I soldered my column to a stainless mixing bowl. I hold it on with a bungie cord through the keg handles and over the top of the mixing bowl. I seal it with flour dough. I''ve made mods to my still over the last year to improve it, but see no reason to change the bungie cord "fastening system".

[shotshell12]

My Still is 12 inch piece of stainless pipe with two caps tig welded on both sides and a 8 inch hole in the top . It is 28 inches tall and It fits my turkery cooker great, got a 2-4 inch steam dome ( bell reducer) at the top coming off with 30 ft copper worm.. Into a cooling barrel with a recycling pump have only used one time and it seems to work great. We sealed the top with oatmeal dough

[LWTCS]

Mr. Shotshell12,

That still sounds real tidy. I wish I could see a picture of it.

[Jocko1960]

If you plan on using the tri-clamp adapter get the female one - http://www.stpats.com/index.htm - scroll down you'll see it.
Put the male threads on your column. I haven't had any leak issues using it.

Also alot of times if you mate the adapter directly to the sankey fitting on your keg you might find you have no vapor leak between the two without any gasket. The teflon gasket for tri-clamp/adapter have a ridge on both surfaces to fit in the groove machined into the into the adapter and one side needs to be modified (sanded flat) to work between the sankey and the adapter. Here you can see the ridge I'm talking about.