Crude but effective

[Ayay]

At last this column still actually works.

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The condenser is a thermos flask acting as an external water jacket and condenses all this thing can throw at it...I had my doubts but now I'm very happy that my time was not wasted.

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The boiler was half a hot water cylinder; after some panel beating and patching I added a copper bottom, stainless pot for a rim and lid, and brass connector for the column. A wrought iron stand with a Roundabout BBQ ('H' shaped burner) does the heating.

All materials came from the recycling centre except for the column, thermometer, hoses and hose clamps. Column is a 50mm x 1m copper pipe.

My DWG which has waited for a month was put through last night. Total yield from 36Litres is 3.64 litres including heads and tails. The first 100ml went straight into the meths bottle; the next 500ml (at 86%), and the last 500ml designated as heads and tails because of operator inexperience. I am now sampling the remainder and relating the taste to the recorded data. The first 1.2L of the body measures 96% @21*C is smoother than the second 1.2L which measures 95%. The first half (diluted to 45%) is definately drinkable!

Can't wait to get the next batch of DWG going and do it again, and get the operator up to speed with some more experience.

Thank you all at Homedistiller and Homedistillation for sharing this mysterious craft/art/science.