Copper Still Design

Simple pot still distillation and construction with or without a thumper.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
whipoorwill05

Copper Still Design

Post by whipoorwill05 »

I have been reading here for a few weeks now and I feel like I have enough information to go ahead and make my still. I see a lot of different designs. I am wanting to go for a 3-6 gallon capacity still. I once heard you can read all the books you want on how to fly an airplane, but you still don't how to fly until you get in the cockpit. That being said I don't want anything bigger than that at this point. I want something easily concealed and easily taken down. Although I know it will be pricey, I am looking to make an all copper still.

My first question is, what gauge copper do I need to use?

My second question is where do I find detailed plans on how to make one?
myles
retired
Posts: 2451
Joined: Wed Oct 15, 2008 11:34 am
Location: UK, in the heather

Re: Copper Still Design

Post by myles »

Pot still or reflux? Gas or electric heated? Hide in plain sight, or put away when not in use. All affect your design, so can we have a little bit more information to work with please. :)
Dnderhead
Angel's Share
Angel's Share
Posts: 13666
Joined: Sun Dec 23, 2007 8:07 pm
Location: up north

Re: Copper Still Design

Post by Dnderhead »

Id thank a 6 gal copper pot whould be a bit hard to hide? especially something home made? a stainless pot fits into the decor of most kitchens much better.
also is used for everything from making soup to beer.
Ayay
Distiller
Posts: 1656
Joined: Tue Sep 16, 2008 1:25 am
Location: Planet Erf...near the bottom.

Re: Copper Still Design

Post by Ayay »

First answer should be, '6 Gall'. Bigger is better until you get to 18 Gal territory. Hiding is a mental thing as much as a physical thing.

Copper is best at 1mm thick or thicker. 0.5mm Thick will do for many years, and stainless will go thinner no problem.
cornflakes...stripped and refluxed
User avatar
Bushman
Admin
Posts: 17986
Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 5:29 am
Location: Pacific Northwest

Re: Copper Still Design

Post by Bushman »

If your looking for a 6 gallon copper still here is a set of plans for a Kentucky still design:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =16&t=5595
rad14701
retired
Posts: 20865
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:46 pm
Location: New York, USA

Re: Copper Still Design

Post by rad14701 »

Pot stills can be as simple or complex as your building skills, finances, and working space will allow... They range from a stock pot and liebig condenser, or worm in a bucket, to the newfangled flutes that'll push your building skills and wallet to their limits... Where you choose to land within that range is up to you to decide... We have plenty of copper pron here for you to drool over while making that decision... We love copper porn...
whipoorwill05

Re: Copper Still Design

Post by whipoorwill05 »

Dammit...just when I feel like I get it nailed down. :wink: I'm thinking more on the small side of 6 gallons. I was thinking around 3 gallons. Something I can put up on a small gas burner and/or stove. I am thinking put away when not in use. I really don't know what the hell I'm doing and small batch runs makes sense to me right now. I really don't want a stainless pot rig; those copper models are just so damn beautiful.

I have a 3/8 OD coil already rigged up in an antique Igloo cooler. I am thinking something like that Kentucky still design. It seems like a simpler design I guess maybe I could cut the measurements in half? If I get to where I want bigger I'll go bigger. I'm thinking of them like my guitars-you can never have too many.
rad14701
retired
Posts: 20865
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:46 pm
Location: New York, USA

Re: Copper Still Design

Post by rad14701 »

See the rig linked in my Sig... I run it both in pot still and reflux modes on an 8 quart stock pot... I wish the pot was a bit bigger but it suits my immediate needs quite well... I can strip off a wash in pot still mode in about 40 minutes from the first drip... A reflux run takes about 1.5 hours or more from reaching equilibrium... Small can be done, but it makes things happen faster and you won't get nearly as much spirits from each run... I went the opposite of most, from large to small sized rig...
Whistlepig Hollow
Novice
Posts: 3
Joined: Thu Mar 10, 2011 7:16 am

Re: Copper Still Design

Post by Whistlepig Hollow »

Bushman wrote:If your looking for a 6 gallon copper still here is a set of plans for a Kentucky still design:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =16&t=5595
That is a slick little set up. Thanks for posting Bushman. I might dig into that one and see what happens!
Post Reply