Still buying

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Moonshine31
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Still buying

Post by Moonshine31 »

Hello everyone, I have made moonshine 3 times with my homemade still. Now I’m looking at purchasing one and I’m wondering what does everybody think of these one and does anybody have any favorite manufacture of stills?

Here are the 3 that I’m leaning towards.

https://www.whiskeystill.net/products/c ... skey-still

https://www.moonshinestill.com/collecti ... /10-gallon

https://www.copper-alembic.com/en/spiri ... -prime-kit

The third one is the main one I’m looking at..

Finally, what does everybody here think about a thumper? Pointless or worth while for moonshine?

Thank you for your responses.
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Re: Still buying

Post by cob »

search.php?keywords=alembic

Before you buy an alembic here is a lot of reading for you. The first 2 posts are currently yours

but after that is a lot of information. I didn't want to post this in your welcome thread.

There are many more choices besides an alembic, so do a lot of research before spending

your hard earned cash on a still that is overpriced and to small. Alembics are pretty, and

look good on display, but you can build a proper sized pot still for less than half that price.

Don't fall for shiny and do plenty of research.
be water my friend
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Yummyrum
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Re: Still buying

Post by Yummyrum »

Yup , all the wank in the sales pitches about curves and stuff is all a load of toss .

You absolutely need some copper but a copper riser and condenser will be enough to deal with any Sulphides you may have.

Seeing you have already made a still , why not make a bigger one if thats what you need .
No way I could part with the obscene amount of money like they are asking simply for a Pot still I could build for less than quarter.

Having said that , they do look fancy and if someone was going to buy me one and asked which one I’d like , I think I would go the last one. At least they certify its lead free .
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still_stirrin
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Re: Still buying

Post by still_stirrin »

Moonshine31 wrote: Sun Jan 23, 2022 7:14 pm…I have made moonshine 3 times with my homemade still. Now I’m looking at purchasing one and I’m wondering what does everybody think of these …
I think you have more “dollars than sense”.

Those options, while quite “pretty” are expensive. For that kind of money, you can buy a lot of top shelf liquor.

Now, I’m the last one to squawk about capital investment, because you'll need to “buy once and cry once” to get set up. But those alembic stills are very expensive and it is quite easy to build something that will produce just as good as those for significantly less than that.

Spend some time in the construction forum and learn a little. Don’t be so anxious to throw money at it until you at least understand a little better about the tools of our trade.
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Saltbush Bill
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Re: Still buying

Post by Saltbush Bill »

Agree with the above......crazy prices......I could built 3 or 4 pot stills on keg boilers for that kind of money....and they would do exactly the same job......if not better.
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NZChris
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Re: Still buying

Post by NZChris »

I'm still using the first still I ever made. My favorite manufacturer is me and the tradies that I work and drink with. I do the research and my tradie mates have the build skills that I don't have.

By doing the research and build yourself, you don't have to fix design flaws and replace unsuitable materials that many still suppliers incorporate into their designs because they either didn't do their homework, or couldn't care less about your health so took cheap and easy options.

Research what type of stills you need to make the products that you want to make.

Research what materials are suitable for distilling purposes so that you can recognise a poor quality still before you spend your money, or at least know how to remedy any problems.
Moonshine31
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Re: Still buying

Post by Moonshine31 »

Thank you everyone for your respond, I already have a pretty big condenser in a bucket and for the money I could do the keg boiler or something Similar and cook a lot of moonshine at once. I’ll look around the home made builds and see if anything catches my eye.
Moonshine31
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Re: Still buying

Post by Moonshine31 »

Everyone here build their own stills? Nobody buys one?
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Ben
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Re: Still buying

Post by Ben »

Not everybody. But there is certainly a core group that doesn't buy. I really enjoy the building part.

Larger batches tend to be better, not just because of quantity but because it allows you to make a lot better cuts, giving you more quality and control. I usually make about 1.5 quarts of stuff that I will drink off of a 12 gallon run (keg charge) and set aside a gallon and a half in feints. So that tells me I am taking about 1/4 of what comes out of a run. If you are only making 3 gallons at a time you are going to have a tough time making those tight cuts, and end up with about a pint or two to drink and or age. Its a lot of work to make a pint...
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Moonshine31
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Re: Still buying

Post by Moonshine31 »

I’m watching videos on how to make a keg boiler so we’ll see what happens. I currently have a pressure cooker pot so I might even just stay with that, we’ll see.
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zed255
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Re: Still buying

Post by zed255 »

Just an FYI that the gasket used in many pressure cooker / canner pots goes against forum rules regarding synthetic materials in a stills construction. I just wanted to point that out before discussion goes hard left on the issue. There are some very expensive ones with machined tapers that do not have any gasket, but they are the exception and not the rule.

Most here feel the pressure cooker vessels' inherent ability to withstand substantial pressure also becomes a risk in the event of a blockage, either through a puke, bad design or operator error. You will likely get some feedback on the matter.
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Moonshine31
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Re: Still buying

Post by Moonshine31 »

I don’t believe mine has any type of a gasket but I’ll double check. I think I’m going to be making a keg boiler sometime soon.
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Saltbush Bill
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Re: Still buying

Post by Saltbush Bill »

Moonshine31 wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 8:48 am I’m watching videos on how to make a keg boiler.
Making a keg boiler need not be complicated, its as hard as finding/buying a second hand beer keg. Sitting it on a few bricks or some other non flammable stand and putting a 2 or 3 ring banjo burner under it.
Many of us started out with nothing more than that , many of us still use gas / LPG/ propane, its only in relatively recent years that hobby boilers have grown a lot of the fancy bits.
A 2 inch still will fit straight to to the standard fitting on top of a beer keg using PTF tape and a triclamp to seal it and clamp it in place.
You can add fancy bits like filler ports, four inch flange openings, electric elements, drain taps to your keg as you grow into the hobby or at your leisure and as you can afford it.
In short Keep it simple to begin with.
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Re: Still buying

Post by Moonshine31 »

Saltbush Bill wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 1:09 pm
Moonshine31 wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 8:48 am I’m watching videos on how to make a keg boiler.
Making a keg boiler need not be complicated, its as hard as finding/buying a second hand beer keg. Sitting it on a few bricks or some other non flammable stand and putting a 2 or 3 ring banjo burner under it.
Many of us started out with nothing more than that , many of us still use gas / LPG/ propane, its only in relatively recent years that hobby boilers have grown a lot of the fancy bits.
A 2 inch still will fit straight to to the standard fitting on top of a beer keg using PTF tape and a triclamp to seal it and clamp it in place.
You can add fancy bits like filler ports, four inch flange openings, electric elements, drain taps to your keg as you grow into the hobby or at your leisure and as you can afford it.
In short Keep it simple to begin with.


Ya I defiantly will keep it simple to start. I have a number but would like to run a natural gas line to my shed and find a natural gas burner and use that instead of my propane one. And also connect a ng Heater in the shed for when I’m not making shine. I hate propane and filling the tanks.
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Re: Still buying

Post by BrewinBrian44 »

For what it's worth, the best decision I made in this hobby was using a half barrel keg boiler with tri clamp ferrules for everything. I can easily reconfigure my setup to do pot stilling, bubble plates or a fully packed column, I can run CM, or VM by simply swapping stuff around. You can get stainless tri clamp stuff on amazon for pretty damn cheap and have endless configurations. None of the parts will go to waste.

Following suggestions I found on here for the boiler, I chose to flip it upside down and use the original top ferrule as a drain. Makes it possible to get all the liquid out of the boiler with a pump and never need to lift it. I can even rinse it and pump at the same time. Easy peasy. For my top section that used to be the bottom, I chose to weld on a large ferrule for the column opening to give me some room to grow down the road. I just use a TC adapter depending on what parts I decide to attach to it. I also have a small fill port up there so I can add liquid without needing to remove the column.

The best thing about all of this, when I take it all apart, I can easily put all the parts in pieces in my tool chest for easy concealment.
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NZChris
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Re: Still buying

Post by NZChris »

Have a look in scrapyards. Their copper bins often look like they contain at least one kitset still to me, and you only have to pay scrap prices regardless of how suitable it is for distilling.
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Re: Still buying

Post by Delloman »

I highly recommend taking a look at Modular flute stills milehidistilling makes a top quality one but you can get them from china and they are not junk. I love mine its totally a buy once cry once with a flute but it's amazing I love its Modularity. I can make all kinds of alcohol its also easy to clean get a Stanless steel with copper plates. I also recommend keg or bigger boiler you can also use a keg as the boiler for a flute I did this until I upgraded to a 26 gallon milkcan. I personally don't have time for another hobby of bulding stills so I got what I considered to be the top of the line on the market back in 2014 and would say milehi flutes still are.
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Re: Still buying

Post by EdGrog »

NZChris wrote: Mon Jan 24, 2022 11:24 pm Have a look in scrapyards. Their copper bins often look like they contain at least one kitset still to me, and you only have to pay scrap prices regardless of how suitable it is for distilling.
That's a good idea 💡 will give it a shot
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Yummyrum
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Re: Still buying

Post by Yummyrum »

Good luck finding a scrap yard that will let you walk around in there. These days , due to Work health and safety reasons they won’t let you past the counter .

Having said that , my Son found one that would and oh my god it was chockers full of every size even up to 8” stuff .
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Ben
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Re: Still buying

Post by Ben »

Not a problem here. In fact there are a few around me that are set up almost like markets, with both new and used stuff available, metals categorized by type and size. All kinds of weird industrial things, motors for scrap value, stainless leftovers from restaurants, etc. Even the auto wreckers around me have piles of stainless they will sell you stuff from. I don't know where Ed is located, but the scrap yards here are full of inspiration and doodads, worth a trip!
:)
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Re: Still buying

Post by subbrew »

Ben wrote: Tue Feb 08, 2022 9:10 am Not a problem here. In fact there are a few around me that are set up almost like markets, with both new and used stuff available, metals categorized by type and size. All kinds of weird industrial things, motors for scrap value, stainless leftovers from restaurants, etc. Even the auto wreckers around me have piles of stainless they will sell you stuff from. I don't know where Ed is located, but the scrap yards here are full of inspiration and doodads, worth a trip!
Ben - can you post a list of a couple. The ones I know of up here will not let me browse.
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Ben
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Re: Still buying

Post by Ben »

Sure

Alreco for aluminum, they only do aluminum but this place is incredible.
K&K surplus for stainless, copper, industrial, motors, perforated stuff. They tend to be a bit expensive but their yard is big and has a lot of variety
Atlas metal (mostly mild steel in heavy gauges), but they often have steel yard art available, kind of cool to just look around here if you are nearby. They can also get you (and stock some) new nonferrous metals.
C&M iron and metal, their recycle yard is small and has a lot of turnover, so if they are close to you check often. I have seen a few restaurants scrapped out here. Scrap copper is kept inside with the new metal, the staff is grungy, but friendly so just ask. Their new metal selection is good, and they can order most anything.

If you need new copper tubing, pre made parts, tri-clamp, etc milehi distilling is good, they carry up to 4" and their prices are really reasonable if you are picking up.

If you need copper or stainless welding or brazing done send me a PM.
:)
Moonshine31
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Re: Still buying

Post by Moonshine31 »

Ok after sitting on my hands for a little bit I think I’d like to make a keg boiler. Seems to be the cheapest and easiest way to do this. What I don’t understand is how do you add the mash and take it out? From the top of the keg from the little hole? Seems difficult to do multiple batches in one day because the keg would be really hot.

Does anyone know where I can maybe buy a keg kit? Or have any great videos on how to build one from start to finish.
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Re: Still buying

Post by psf »

Sir, at some point you need to help yourself. as a newb, I don't fell you have. pop the tit out your mouth and use the internet for something besides porn. everything you need is here with a little due diligence.
You could write a book on the stuff I don’t know
Moonshine31
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Re: Still buying

Post by Moonshine31 »

I’m looking to buy one already made but can’t seem to find any. I don’t have a welder so I’d be willing to spend a little more on a pre made one. I live in Canada.
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Re: Still buying

Post by Salt Must Flow »

Moonshine31 wrote: Wed Mar 16, 2022 5:31 pm I’m looking to buy one already made but can’t seem to find any. I don’t have a welder so I’d be willing to spend a little more on a pre made one. I live in Canada.
You don't have to own a welder. Surely someone near you welds. Preferably TIG welds. I know a guy near me that builds race car frames and his price is very reasonable. So reasonable in fact that I don't even consider his price. I just take stuff to him, have him weld it and accept his fair price. There are typically fabricating shops around. You can check online and search for people that weld.

First pick the type of still you want to make. Start shopping for parts. Shop local salvage yards/junk yards if need be for copper or stainless pipe.

As for the boiler, look at the many builds shown here. Search this site using key words. You can easily drain your boiler with a bottom drain plumbed from the bottom of the keg and to a valve. I drilled a hole in the bottom of my keg using a step drill bit. I ordered a 1" Stainless Steel Weld Spud, ground it flat and soldered it over the hole. A couple of copper fittings, a ball valve and I had myself a bottom drain.
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Re: Still buying

Post by Twisted Brick »

Moonshine31 wrote: Wed Mar 16, 2022 4:47 pm
Does anyone know where I can maybe buy a keg kit? Or have any great videos on how to build one from start to finish.
This is what I did:
.


They are not difficult to make. All that is needed is a hand grinder with a cheap cutoff wheel and a way to keep your circumference uniform. I used a stick of wood attached to the grinder and a plug that fit into the keg bung. Some sandpaper to round out the cut edge and Bob's Yer Uncle.

The keg cost me $35 (4 years ago) and $5 for the lid. I'm close to 3 dozen mashes into it.
.
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Moonshine31
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Re: Still buying

Post by Moonshine31 »

I’ve been looking up keg boiler and I want to build a simple one with a glass peep hole at the top, prob 4” wide.

I have to try and find a few parts for the keg to weld them in.

The last post with the keg and no lid, how do u distill the shine if there is no lid or spout.
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Salt Must Flow
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Re: Still buying

Post by Salt Must Flow »

Moonshine31 wrote: Thu Mar 17, 2022 4:43 am I’ve been looking up keg boiler and I want to build a simple one with a glass peep hole at the top, prob 4” wide.

I have to try and find a few parts for the keg to weld them in.

The last post with the keg and no lid, how do u distill the shine if there is no lid or spout.
He demonstrated how he made a 15.5 gal kettle out of a keg. That's not a still boiler. Many like to use their large kettles over propane and some install a Tri-Clamp ferrule to heat with electricity. I installed a ferrule on mine, but I can still heat with either propane or electric.

When I made my kettle, I just traced a perfect circle with a Sharpie marker, crudely cut the circle out using an angle grinder like shown in that video, but used a Die Grinder to buzz off the rest to make a perfect & smooth finished job. A Die Grinder is a very important tool for me.

Here's a 4" weld sight glass. You can solder them to the keg too. I used a grinder to grind the proper curve to fit the curved profile of a boiler before soldering it. You want to eliminate gaps as much as possible. The outer nut unscrews releasing two silicone gaskets sandwiching the glass disk.
Last edited by Salt Must Flow on Thu Mar 17, 2022 12:47 pm, edited 2 times in total.
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Salt Must Flow
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Re: Still buying

Post by Salt Must Flow »

Go to a welding supply shop and ask if they know of someone who TIG welds. That's their business so surely they know of one of their customers who welds as a side gig. That's how I found a guy who does amazing work for a very reasonable price.

If I were you, I'd study the still designs shown in this forum. I wouldn't try to replicate the stills you can buy online. For instance you can start out with just a simple, basic pot still to do stripping runs and spirit runs with. If you want to make the cleanest odorless/tasteless spirit you can, build a decent reflux column to do your spirit runs with. From there you can make lots of additions to adapt it to whatever other kind of design you want later down the road.
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