Do I need it or do I just want it?

[jayka]

I know I can half answer my question. I know I want it but do I really need it?

[Alcophile]

Don't know but it may be unwise to post your real name on here if distilling is not legal in your country.

[jayka]

Don't know but it may be unwise to post your real name on here if distilling is not legal in your country.

not my real name

[stillanoob]

Well, since we have no idea what your needs and desires are I would say: If you can afford it, does it matter if you want or need it? Do whatever you want. If you can't afford it, forget about it.

[jayka]

I know I can obviously make good whiskey without it, I already am. But will it improve my whiskey? or just my view while making whiskey?

[jonnys_spirit]

I want one too but haven't spent the $$ because the product is already quite good without it for one thing. I think it'd be worthwhile for the looks and feel of having the helmet and riser. My copper riser is already about that tall which is straight pipe.

I try to estimate some ranges of how much better it might make the product compared to "it just looks cool" to determine if I need to spend the money -

00 - 05% Better ?
05 -12% Better ?
13 - 22% Better ?
23 - 30% Better ?
31 - 40% Better ?
41 - 50% Better ?
50 - 100% Better ?

I reckon this would be in the first group so... I don't have one yet...

Cheers!
-jonny

[Dewstiller]

Price is about the cheapest you will find (appears to be 4' in X 4' out - reduced to 2'), I am sure the shipping and possible tax will not make as desirable.

[stillanoob]

I know I can obviously make good whiskey without it, I already am. But will it improve my whiskey? or just my view while making whiskey?

In that case, probably not, assuming you have copper in the path already. I'd say making a fine product is 20% equipment and 80% everything else.

[jayka]

(appears to be 4' in X 4' out - reduced to 2')

Correct

Price is about the cheapest you will find , I am sure the shipping and possible tax will not make as desirable.

From memory shipping was about $120 maybe end up about $600 total

[Winnipeg204]

I vote you need it

[RC Al]

[sarcasm]Put a 4" copper spool on and point a fan at it. Change speeds on the fan for perceived reflux amount. Done[/sarcasm]

[jayka]

I vote you need it

Great!

1 vote yes
0 votes no

Case closed.

Thanks Winnipeg204 for your expert advise. Clearly one of the most experienced here.

[Yummyrum]

I think you need to get one too Jayka .
Theres all this talk of Purifiers helping to allow droplets to fall out of vapour resulting in a cleaner spirit .
Be interesting to see if you can perceive any difference on a hobby size .
Mind you ,if I’d parted with $600 , I’m sure it would .
But then again , maybe not filling the boiler so full may create the same effect ..... and cheaper

[SassyFrass]

Sounds like you either " need to want one" or "want to need one". I say go for it. Your money and you're the only one you gotta make happy. JMO
SF

[jake_jimmylegs]

I vote you buy a sheet of copper and make your own. Just MHO, and what I did.

[bilgriss]

That's pretty. If you don't mind dropping the money on it, I'm voting late 'You need it'. Consider me the Electoral College.

[jayka]

I vote you buy a sheet of copper and make your own. Just MHO, and what I did.

Yeh I know what I'm like when I make stuff. I know I could do it but it would take a lot of time and probably end up costing me just as much.

[Deplorable]

Well, if you're already happy with the character your still imparts on the whiskey it produces, it seems the money would be better spent on grains or barrels. Or both. But if you have money to spend on "cool factor", and enjoy making googoo eyes while your still is working, then go for it.
Personally I'd put that money towards grains and barrels, (or a big SS conical fermenter if I had the space to dedicate to one).

[jonnys_spirit]

I've considered converting one of these into a simple vertical thumper... Would require some hacking drilling and filing but copper is pretty easy to form and solder...

Cheers!
jonny