Pot still question

[Maestro]

I have built a pot still and run a few washes through. In the process, I am beginning to wonder how I could improve.

First, I think my column is too tall, 36". I think I am heaving to run harder than I should and smearing quite a bit. My lyne arm is pretty long, too. I think there is some parasitic heat loss.

I will try to post a pic and see what input I can get to improve the final product. For the record, I am fairly comfortable with working.g with copper and me end goal would be a still that is well suited for whiskey/rum with the occasional neutral.

FYI, the pic is a cleaning run. The plastic funnel is not involved in collection.

[NcHooch]

Hey Maestro,
Ya, I would have to agree, I think you coulda made two pot still heads with all that copper

Seriously, 18-24 inch riser is a good size, and and the Lyne arm can be about the same measurement, Part of the lyne arm is OK to slant down as you reduce in diameter as well. .. and just keep an eye on that water temp in the little worm bucket.

I could see how you'd have to run it hard (and get some smearing) if that garage was cold when you were running it.

[Maestro]

Thanks Hooch. I have upgraded the cooling to a "prettier" bucket and have a closed loop cooling system.

I also had a crazy idea about cutting around 16-18" out of the column and put some packing and a 1/4 condensing double wound coil in that segment. I could use threaded couplings to attach and remove. I thought this would be good for reflux during a spirit run. Out during strip, in for spirit. Any input on this idea?

That and I am going to shorten the lyne arm.

[Usge]

You don't have to make a removeable unit for a simple reflux coil. Just don't water to the coil when you don't want reflux. Simpler still, just wind some soft copper coils around the outside of the column where you want the reflux. Use a bit of copper mesh up in it. When you want the added reflux....run cold water to it. When you don't...don't.

[Maestro]

Usge, I had thought about that, too. It would be cheaper, for sure.

To be honest, I am kicking around a boka build...but I really want to get some good product from this build.

[rad14701]

I'd use that tall column to make a Bokakob dual slant plate reflux column and then just use the columnless pot still for stripping...