Home Distiller

Ok, so I finally decided on making my own still, I do heating and cooling work so the soldering will be no problem. I am however having trouble trying to decide what to use as the boiler. What do you guys recommend? All help is welcome!

16 quart or larger stainless steel stock pot or an old s/s beer keg.

s/s beer keg.

Keg, they are cheap and indestructible.

Another vote for the keg.

Can someone in Ontario tell me where I can buy a ss beer keg in Ontario.

Otherwise it's a ss pot for me in the Spring.

G

I don't have a keb, but if I had to choose again, or for a next still, it would be a keg

I might look for one to brew beer in, a nice cheep 50 l stainless pot

keg preferable but if you can't get one use a pressure cooker and modify it (just make sure you keep the emergency pressure release valve intact for safety reasons)

hi brian41527,

I started one year ago with a 22qt SS stock pot from Walmart. I used a 12" copper bowl for the lid and a 1.5 inch column attached to it. The heat source is a 1440W halogen hotplate. It's ok but takes about 2.5 hours to bring it up to vapor.

I still have all that setup but now use 2 sankey SS kegs.
They are the straight side variety, 15.5 gallons I believe. I can use them for either fermenters or boilers. I have not cut anything from them but use an adapter to mate the 2 inch column (valved reflux mode) or the 1.5 inch stripping condensor. Search the site for member photos and you will get some good ideas. When I get some time I'll post new photos of my equipment, maybe this weekend if I get to run a batch or two.

If you weld or have a friend, or can get decent rates at a welding shop, there is practically no limit to the possibilities of a ss beer keg. But like Still_crazy said, All you really need is a tri-clamp.
I get mine through http://www.stpats.com/oakbarrels.htm#SankeTCGasket" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
this is a good source for kegs also if you have the cash and don't prescribe to getting a used one for the deposit.

I'd also buy a stainless keg. I got mine at a beer brewery, but perhaps a local pub is also willing to sell you one for the deposit money?

How large are you wanting to go. I have lots of different plans for ones made from sheet. I just ordered a 3'x4'sheet of 0.031" copper sheet to make a 6 gallon pot for a person. It will be made in the fashion as the in the book "more Mountain Spirits", except for the condenser.

pintoshine wrote:How large are you wanting to go. I have lots of different plans for ones made from sheet. I just ordered a 3'x4'sheet of 0.031" copper sheet to make a 6 gallon pot for a person. It will be made in the fashion as the in the book "more Mountain Spirits", except for the condenser.

Hi Pinto,

I would love to have a copper pot.

Give me a rough idea, how much I could expect to pay a welder to build me a 40 liter copper pot with say fittings for a 2" column, thermometer and tap at base.

Thanks,

G

birdwatcher wrote:I would love to have a copper pot.
Give me a rough idea, how much I could expect to pay a welder to build me a 40 liter copper pot with say fittings for a 2" column, thermometer and tap at base.

and to keep his mouth shut


is "more Mountain Spirits" good to read?

birdwatcher wrote:
Hi Pinto,

I would love to have a copper pot.

Give me a rough idea, how much I could expect to pay a welder to build me a 40 liter copper pot with say fittings for a 2" column, thermometer and tap at base.

Thanks,

G

You took the mouth right outa my words

I"d like to build one but dont think I'd do all that copper sheet justice

Rudi

I'm just glad that 31 hundreths of an inch is thick enuff to make a pot.