Home Distiller

Makes perfect sense. Guess I'll have a bonfire this weekend

About to clean a new project (2" VM reflux ala Compleat Distiller w/ a few changes...), have done a water/vinegar test and clean and going to do a sacrificial Run next. I'm curious if I can save the "sacrifice” for future cleaning runs? Was thinking of proofing that down to 20-30 for stora...

I run 2-1500w elements on my kettle, one on a controller and one full on from the wall. For my controller I just bought a plug in GFCI breaker for the socket but figured I could save $ if I built a jumper box for the other element. I had a project box and extra piece of 12/3 STW extension cord (male...

Whelp been reading a bit more... I know y'all have said it time and time again but hell I'm ornery and stubborn, admittedly not the best combination but don't like to give up easily either :twisted:. Decided on building a VM reflux system : 2in dia. 28in packed reflux column + 6in sight glass extens...

I recently discovered a commercial distiller in the PNW (Mastrogiannis, lakewood WA) and got a bottle of their dry Mastiha. Holy butts! Its so good! Definitely an acquired taste, I'd describe it as cedar essences and gentian root with a floral wooden finish... I'm not not much of a gin drinker but y...

Of course it makes sense that some variables will change and can't be mitigated ahead of time. That being said, sometimes its nice to learn from personal mistakes as long as said mistakes don't lead to catastrophic failure...

Thanks for the input y'all! I'm sure that some data points i track "serve no purpose " but as I learn more its nice to have data points for reference/mitigate undesirable outcomes. It seems that it'd be nice to know a little more definitively the relationship between outflow temps and cool...

I'm thinking of building a CM system for neutral but looks like a steeper learning curve to dial in cooling flow rates especially in regards to ambient air temps... anyone out there use inline flow rate meters for tracking cooling data? If so where do you place them i.e. inflow or outflow, vapor ref...

Also where did you read that they have not been verified? I asked if you had verified or checked that they were 100% ss.. just because it said so on the package does not make them so.. Being sure that they are does not make them so without having checked them out.. Do you know how to check ss scrub...

StillerBoy As to chaos at the end I mostly mean that after sitting for 4-6hrs watching my temps, distillate drip, changing out collection jars, ice additions to the cooling tank and obsessive note taking it could be nice to not have to turn a switch off. I'd hardly call it lazy nor irresponsible to ...

Why would one need at "gadet" to tell the stiller went to shut off power at the end of a run.. the stiller is suppose to be in attendance during a run, and have prior knowledge went to end the run prior to the start of the run... Need and want are 2 very different things... :D I notice th...

As a noob I almost drank the kool-aid of setting up a PID but decided its unnecessary for the heating end of my still... might be nice to tune the flow rate on the pump for my condenser with one though in which case I'd probably put the thermowell on my outflow. I think I saw a similar application i...

Thanks StillerBoy! I truly appreciate your detailed explanation and pics! I'll keep you posted down the road, for the time being ill likely stick to well packed scrubbies until I dial in everything. Its easy to jump the gun on tinkering but as a noob I want to lockdown some best practices/consistent...

20201220_165615~2.jpg here's my set up. planning to add a 13" radiator/heat exchange for my cooling water out flow to cut down on ice use. Just built the parrot, way better than a test jar (safer too!) ! Looking into a diy build down the road when i can afford it.. probably make a pot still wi...

StillerBoy wrote: ↑Sat Dec 19, 2020 6:56 pm Lava rocks in the right size for column, like 3/16 - 1/4" for 2" or 1/4 - 5/16" for 3" will work very well..

Sweet! I like this idea! Thanks! Would you trust sourcing these from a landscape supplier?

I mostly use pure stainless or copper scrubbers for reflux packing and have researched other options such as marbles, SS/copper saddles and raschig rings (sp?). Anyone use anything else? I'm curious about using SS chain mail in conjunction with scrubbers to hold it in place... seems like it would be...

I've used pennies in my bird bath to keep algal growth down... could work for your cooling tank. Or just scrap pieces of copper pipe etc. Also try keeping your water moving when not in use...

Thanks for having me! I'm new to distillation and have been soaking up as much new (and old) info as I can get my eyes and ear balls on! Been home brewing beer, cider and mead for the last 14 years and have been itching to venture into distillation since someone gave me a copy of the Alaskan Bootleg...