Home Distiller

Regarding your column, you indicated 3", SPP, 2KW @ 2lph, this rate for when you are running with high reflux for high %ABV take off.

What rate do you achieve when stripping.

Always try keep copper to the base of the column and better still if it is easily removable. This will aid in cleaning. I designed a column where I can at will insert and remove the copper. Yes have the copper for stripping. I am of the opinion the SPP is too small for your column, the SPP at approx...

Still busy building for the future so not yet commercial.

But, my current active still is a 60L unit and you are getting the benefit of my build experience.

Not sure what you are making but I would not advise using backset in fermentation. Basically you will potentially lose fermentation control with all sots of infections coming into play. Rather use the backset in a mash and you will get better PH control as well as creating the basis for yeast nutrie...

For this boka / LM still I concur, do not use a ball valve unless flow rate control is not considered important. The best and least expensive is a needle valve. A 1/4" needle valve is good for up to 6 LPH That all said I would not waste money on automated control unless you have a serious sized stil...

Just remember that whatever you decide to use, ...... attach it directly to a heat sink, with the heat sink external to the enclosure / control box. This way you prevent internal overheating.

I recently did a beer stripping run on a new 60L LM still build and was checking amongst others a variety of things. ... Cooling water take off temperature at RC top ..... outlet Temperature of distilled product take off after PC Top temperature at column top (where I have a DN25 CIP connection) I w...

The above can be shown in an Excel spread sheet that I made up for a beer brewing vessel that I am busy with.

Distilling mashing is not the same as beer mashing as its process is simpler but the same initial figures hold true

Cheaper to go and spin your own copper top

Don't bugger around, go and tig weld it closed. Just remember to purge the inside during the weld...….. or stick weld it closed with a SS rod.

The comment above where 60% in the pot is incorrect. You macerate at 60% for a period of time prior say 12 hours and then dilute to approx. 30% and then start distillation.

Sorry but Food Grade Silicone is most certainly a safe and preferred product to use.

The problem in using PTFE is that it requires reasonably high heat to expand and seal properly.

Watched both the yeast and barrel series. It was great, informative and I learnt new things.

Still aging

Johannesburg

To make / use a longer sight glass is no problem. You will need to go to the local bolt and nut shop and purchase threaded rod to suit your longer sight glass and secondly go to your local lab glass supplier and they will stock your borosilicate glass. Make it as long as you want to.

Very interesting. I have a continuous still (100mm diameter packed column …. helical SS coil) that's designed and part built and no further.

Are you able to supply process flow drawings for better understanding of your set up.

We must not get confused with each other, also somewhat old but not as old

Use ARMAFLEX, 13mm thick. Google for suppliers.

Interesting but ... Welcome to the Soxhlet siphon / extraction

A standard neck thread is 14TPI

I posted the complete PDF document (I believe for the same person)

If anyone else wants it, give me a shout.

Cheers Richard ….. richard@pmtsa.co.za

You not looking very hard as there is plenty to be had especially on the SS side. You can reach out to me via PM.

That's a huge amount of heads collection.

Hi @mtranier I am being a bit stupid with that VAPOUR formula on the excel sheet. Can you more simply write the exact formula used.

I am not sure whether you are referring to EXP for E or an alternate / other value and whether x is the power value of the EXP.

Brilliant, thanks

Go to a stainless steel tube supplier and ask them for a DN50 triclover gasket. It appears that you have the clamp.

@odin what was your final 60% molasses mix for fermentation of 1,950L for the Istill2000 ?? Water to molasses, ferment aid and yeast ?? OG, FG, temp and PH ??

Elevation affect the azeo normal boiling point for ethanol so it is important. So too is the temperature at which point the cut is / was made for your particular recipe. If you are happy with the taste at that temperature well then that's the future setpoint going forward.

Whichever you buy ensure that the correct needle valve is purchased. Because it says needle valve doesn't mean it's of the right type. Of course they will work, but some better than others. If you can and putting it in simple terms, get the one with the sharpest and longest point on the needle. With...