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A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:27 am
by N0 Clue_
Hi! :wave:
My husband and I recently bought a second hand still and so we are hoping to give distilling a go, and looking forward to learning lots from you guys!

Thanks for having us! :thumbup:

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:36 am
by Durhommer
Pictures would be nice

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 9:41 am
by Demy
welcome,It is a beautiful still.

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 10:14 am
by N0 Clue_
Durhommer, picture attached! :thumbup:
20200921_173307.jpg

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:07 pm
by tombombadil
Whoa! Very cool! Congrats!

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:37 pm
by dieselduo
Beautiful ! That will make some nice whisky

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 12:57 pm
by Chauncey
Youre gonna wanna get a larger reservoir for the cooling water

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 1:21 pm
by Saltbush Bill
Biggest problem i see is the ability to make a clean enough base spirit for the gin.......for that part of the job a reflux still is a better option.

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 1:30 pm
by Demy
Saltbush Bill wrote: Mon Sep 21, 2020 1:21 pm Biggest problem i see is the ability to make a clean enough base spirit for the gin.......for that part of the job a reflux still is a better option.
That's right I think the same thing, it will take a lot of runs and there will be a lot of smudging. I also run small sizes and with those proportions I realized that some problems increase. My little VM column saved me!

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 2:12 pm
by N0 Clue_
Thanks so much guys for your thoughts and comments! This was the set up for the person whom we bought this from, its not ours. We need to do a ton more reading before we dive in.

As newbies, and in the UK, we are looking at buying in the base spirit to begin with.

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 2:26 pm
by Saltbush Bill
In that case you are ready to make gin.

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 2:32 pm
by Durhommer
See how posting pictures got you help this place is full of possibilities and positive people to help you reach your goals

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 7:50 pm
by corene1
Very nice still. I would agree that a bigger cooling source would be a good idea. Maybe a plastic trash can. About the take off spout. Is that a plastic hose feeding a plastic parrot? I can't tell from the photo. If so take it off as the alcohol will leach chemicals and flavors from contact with the plastic.

Re: A couple of clueless

Posted: Mon Sep 21, 2020 11:32 pm
by NZChris
Welcome to the forum.

I've recently bought a very similar still to add to my collection.

Cooling water:

Heat rises, so add cold water to the bottom inlet and overflow the hot water to the drain, or collect it for your garden/whatever.

My first run, I used a tube and funnel to pour cold water into the bottom when it was needed.
My second run, I used a 12V temperature controller, with the thermocouple in the worm, and a solenoid valve to gravity feed the cooling water as needed. That was less hectic.
My next run will use the same 12V temperature controller, but using a tiny submersible pump.