My CCVM reflux build

[policar]

Hi everyone... So the last month I got really into distillery. Before, I was casually distilling all sorts of fruit mashes around Christmas time, when there is snow because I like the atmosphere it gives and so on.. but the last couple of weeks, I got into whiskey and vodka and made a sugarwash and then it got me thinking I can't just still it in a normal pot still... (I can yes but it's to booooring, and the alcohol level comes out low and I want that 90-95% abv) Anyway enough talking.. so there was this beerkeg 10 minutes away from my home which was converted to brew beer I thought eh what the hell I'm going to flip it and make a new "bottom" because I'll be using gas... The only thing I bought was the keg some pipes and the sight glass which will arrive soon... everything else was laying at home... I filled almost everything with gas when welding so it's a nice smooth weld on each side...
I'm sorry for the bad pictures and my inglish but most of my pictures are to large.

[v-child]

Nice welding!

[Durhommer]

Wish I could make something like this

[Tummydoc]

Really nice welds. You'll want to get some copper in the vapor path to reduce sulfur products from fermentation.

[NineInchNails]

I'd just get some copper mesh and put a couple stacks of it somewhere in the riser. I usually put it in the base of the riser.

[policar]

Thanks guys.... I will put coper mesh in when I'll be stilling, also the ccvm coil will be made from coper.

Have a nice one...

[policar]

Wish I could make something like this

The only thing that I brought was the beerkeg and some pipes everything else is made from scratch.

[v-child]

This is one of those hobbies where the best items are all hand-made and not overpriced specialty crap from a retailer. Sure some people can afford the latest and greatest "double wazoo re-refluxing multi-purpose CCVM still", but they can never one-up a well constructed homemade rig ever. Take pride in what you do.

[Tummydoc]

Oh crap, i got the single wazoo, time to upgrade [emoji6]

[policar]

This is one of those hobbies where the best items are all hand-made and not overpriced specialty crap from a retailer. Sure some people can afford the latest and greatest "double wazoo re-refluxing multi-purpose CCVM still", but they can never one-up a well constructed homemade rig ever. Take pride in what you do.

I completely agree with you i don't even have money to spend for this i have lots of hobbies which take time and money but this is that kind of hobbi which kicks in at the end of the year when all the fruits are ready when there's more time...i like to still in the winter...like I said it's because of the atmosphere...

[kimbodious]

This is one of those hobbies where the best items are all hand-made and not overpriced specialty crap from a retailer. Sure some people can afford the latest and greatest "double wazoo re-refluxing multi-purpose CCVM still", but they can never one-up a well constructed homemade rig ever. Take pride in what you do.

This is faux elitist twaddle. Not everyone has the skills equipment or time to make their own equipment.

The equipment is probably less than 50% of a successful outcome, much of it rests with the knowledge skills and patience of the operator. I would hate to think that people don’t enter this hobby just because they think the only way to have the best still is to make it themselves.

[Expat]

This is one of those hobbies where the best items are all hand-made and not overpriced specialty crap from a retailer. Sure some people can afford the latest and greatest "double wazoo re-refluxing multi-purpose CCVM still", but they can never one-up a well constructed homemade rig ever. Take pride in what you do.

This is faux elitist twaddle. Not everyone has the skills equipment or time to make their own equipment.

The equipment is probably less than 50% of a successful outcome, much of it rests with the knowledge skills and patience of the operator. I would hate to think that people don’t enter this hobby just because they think the only way to have the best still is to make it themselves.

I think you missed it. Most stuff from the retailers is over priced IMO, and generally craftsman built stills are nicer than generic factory built stills. Quality of output wasn't mentioned.

[kimbodious]

This is one of those hobbies where the best items are all hand-made and not overpriced specialty crap from a retailer. Sure some people can afford the latest and greatest "double wazoo re-refluxing multi-purpose CCVM still", but they can never one-up a well constructed homemade rig ever. Take pride in what you do.

This is faux elitist twaddle. Not everyone has the skills equipment or time to make their own equipment.

The equipment is probably less than 50% of a successful outcome, much of it rests with the knowledge skills and patience of the operator. I would hate to think that people don’t enter this hobby just because they think the only way to have the best still is to make it themselves.

I think you missed it. Most stuff from the retailers is over priced IMO, and generally craftsman built stills are nicer than generic factory built stills. Quality of output wasn't mentioned.

Best stills at what then? Appearances? Nicer? LOL A still is surely a piece of equipment for separating alcohol from a low purity mixture. As long as it does the job safely effectively and efficiently what does it matter who and how it was made or what it looks like?

[Saltbush Bill]

There are a lot of rubbish stills out there in the commecial world being sold.
I always encorage people to build rather than buy.
Building doesnt have to mean that every part is hand made.

[kimbodious]

I get what you are saying Saltbush Bill. People should put a lot of consideration in to the design of any stills before they jump whether if that is to build or buy. People are in a rush to enter this hobby. I am as guilty as anyone of getting my first still based on price rather than suitability of design.

[policar]

Hi, I have a stupid question...so how much "rols" of mesh should I put inside the riser? They are 10mm wide and very stuffed together 2-3?

Preview on a small tube:

Thanks!

[Mash master]

Those look really tightly packed! Too tight and you’ll get massive temperature swings

[policar]

Those look really tightly packed! Too tight and you’ll get massive temperature swings

They are tight yes, thanks for the answer. I'm going to change them...if I understand this correctly the copper is just to eliminate sulphur... so a stainless steel still (with copper mesh), works just as great as a copper one? Or is the copper still, still better? I'm sorry for the questions but it got me wondering...

My still is almost finished just waiting for some more clamps...

[kimbodious]

If you find you are not getting as high ABV as expected you could try unrolling the copper mesh and repacking the column. This gives the condensate a more convoluted and random path back to the boiler making greater opportunity to mingle with the vapour. You still need to take care not to pack it unevenly and or too tightly.

[Yummyrum]

Hi, I have a stupid question...so how much "rols" of mesh should I put inside the riser? They are 10mm wide and very stuffed together 2-3?

You need to specify if its a Pot still or the CCVM you are talking about .
When referring to the CCVM , you are packing the “Column“ and it should be fully packed for its entire length .

When referring to a Pot still , it is called a Riser . For sulfer removal in a SS still , yes one or two rolls is probably heaps assuming the rolls are about 4” long .

[policar]

Hi, I have a stupid question...so how much "rols" of mesh should I put inside the riser? They are 10mm wide and very stuffed together 2-3?

You need to specify if its a Pot still or the CCVM you are talking about .
When referring to the CCVM , you are packing the “Column“ and it should be fully packed for its entire length .

When referring to a Pot still , it is called a Riser . For sulfer removal in a SS still , yes one or two rolls is probably heaps assuming the rolls are about 4” long .

Thanks for the answer, how much do this roles last for? A couple of runs or more?

[policar]

If you find you are not getting as high ABV as expected you could try unrolling the copper mesh and repacking the column. This gives the condensate a more convoluted and random path back to the boiler making greater opportunity to mingle with the vapour. You still need to take care not to pack it unevenly and or too tightly.

Thanks I will untie them and rewine them back.

[Tummydoc]

Thanks for the answer, how much do this roles last for? A couple of runs or more?

I have 2 copper rolls supporting the raschig ring packing of my CCVM. I only reflux feints 2 or 3 times a year. My copper packing is 5 years old and holding up fine.

[policar]

Finally first run..

I need a parrot and then I'm almost set.. I will probably change the T section to 2½ inch. What do you think?

[Deplorable]

I think you should get rid of that plastic collection vessel

[Durhommer]

Finally first run..
20201004_114310.jpg20201004_113931.jpg20201004_143950.jpg
I need a parrot and then I'm almost set.. I will probably change the T section to 2½ inch. What do you think?

How much did that still cost to make welding and all

[tiramisu]

very very nice build.
I'm headed down a the same path only silver solder and copper pipe/ although I could be convinced to use stainless if I could find 3" locally.

If you have the ability and equipment to weld stainless this is really a nice outcome.

[policar]

I think you should get rid of that plastic collection vessel

That was just for the cleaning run... I do everything with glass

[policar]

Finally first run..
20201004_114310.jpg20201004_113931.jpg20201004_143950.jpg
I need a parrot and then I'm almost set.. I will probably change the T section to 2½ inch. What do you think?

How much did that still cost to make welding and all

The boiler with gas thing was around 50€, the pipes were laying at home, the sight glass was also around 50€, the clamps were mostly laying at home, had to buy 3 (15€ each) I was welding at home... let's just say it was around 200-250€

[policar]

very very nice build.
I'm headed down a the same path only silver solder and copper pipe/ although I could be convinced to use stainless if I could find 3" locally.

If you have the ability and equipment to weld stainless this is really a nice outcome.

Thanks i wanted to do it from copper too, but in our country copper is just expensive.. and I had most stainless pipes at home..