Home Distiller

Thanks Mars

Thanks Corene,
I'd like a chemistry/metallurgy type to chime in.
Been having good success with Staybrite and special flux; thanks for that.

Pretty stuff Mars.
Do you know if the bowls were 18-8? That is the common material here, but I see you are in Canada.
I can find bowls in 304 but not the size I need, 13+ inches.

Just googled; kegs are usually 304.

I have a 1/2 barrel keg, 15 1/2 gallons, with the top cut away. The hole is almost 13 inches diameter. I'm thinking I could solder an inverted mixing bowl on top to make a boiler. 8 quart bowls are commonly about 13 inches, but they are usually made from 18-8 stainless rather than 304 or 306. I've r...

Don't laugh.
Please tell me about these botanicals. Juniper; are you talking about dried Juniper berries from a spice rack? Same about Coriander?
Angelica, Orris, roots, where does one get these?
Thanks

So, I guess the answer to my question is the "self regulating" feature of VM; cool. I have the same head configuration as yours SS, and I do happen to have a 2 x 1-1/2 x 2 Tee so I'll pursue that, thanks. About the Ball valve: My memory is that the ball rides in a seal, (rather than agains...

It seems that the Concentric LM is a super configuration, able to run in pot or LM modes or anything in between. Since all of my present build is modular it would be simple to add a tee below the concentric head, a valve, and product condenser, thereby creating a VM. But what would I be gaining? Wha...

Back then, (1970s), it was hard for me to find information about distilling, and while I eventually found out a good deal about the hardware, there was nothing about operation and cuts. A lot of my info came from a book that I found in the state library. Unfortunately it was in Italian! My father-in...

As a young man I was interested in knowing all about all things; for me, how to make wine, cheese, cure meat, pickle food, distill alcohol, were mysteries to be learned. During a visit to my younger daughter, (in her early 50s), she pulled out a half full wine bottle of clear shine that I'd made in ...

Also Mars, did using lava rock increase your output or purity or both?

How do you use the tape? Wrap the male part?
Are you using red or gray/black rock? Do you clean the rock often?
Can you describe what that output rate looks like

Neat info, thanks

Very pretty stuff Mars. My stuff is more along the rat-rod look.
What direction does your coolant flow?
When the parts are assembled do you use any sealant, gasket, paste?
What output rates are you guys getting?

Does anyone know what the unfermentable solids in Feed Molly are? Starch chains that could be converted?

Okay, cool, I'll try it.

Thanks, Zach and SS. The alternating packing was just a random way of using what I had. I will probably go to SPP or lava after I get to see how it goes this way. My 1" does extend almost 4" into the 1-1/2" and that gives me between 1 and two ounces puddle. Your hammered tube does a b...

After much reading here, I'm reconfiguring my still. 7.75 Gal keg Changing to electric 4500 watt heating, (Tri-clamped) Control and measuring power from Chinese components 36" X 2" copper column Alternating copper mesh and SS scrubbies Sight tube, silicone seals wrapped with teflon tape 2 ...

Wow! I've read all the links and find myself paralyzed with information overload. The Dad300 stuff was/is riveting. Exactly where each piece of info that has stayed in my old head came from is gone but I have a string of tabs on my browser as reference. The discussion on LM that talked about smearin...

Very nice SS, thank you.
I guess what stands out for me is the control factor.
I'll do more reading on VM.
You mention your design; is it available?

I'm an old experienced newbie. I built my first still about 54 years ago, and first successful one about 4 years later. The pot was a 10 gallon, nickel plated copper, restaurant coffee maker, pre-heater in its previous life. The column was 3" copper tubing, about 30" tall filled with broke...

I made some shine many years ago, (about 50). I've made some new equipment and acquired 15 gallons of feed molasses. I drink every and anything alcoholic, but I lean toward rum. Back then I never got into repeated runs, but with all this ingredient I'm hoping to get a proper sour backwash sequence g...