Alembic still
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Alembic still
I have the opportunity to pick up a new 5g alembic for a 3rd of the list price. I plan on using it for for the stovetop spirit run, are they worth it or just cool to look at? I have a 4g ss pot i made for spirit runs that works great but......
I'm selling a rifle scope that i really like but don't use much to pay for this thing, just wanting some opinions on the alembic stills vs a regular pot still.
I'm selling a rifle scope that i really like but don't use much to pay for this thing, just wanting some opinions on the alembic stills vs a regular pot still.
"To ease the pressures of this world here's the way i got it figured, the thing to do for me and you is to drink lots of good corn liquor"
Buck Owens
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Re: Alembic still
An alembic IS a potstill. It’s just shaped differently. Classically, an alembic is a good brandy still. Similarly, it would be useful for making a rum or whiskey. But my point is … it’s a potstill. So, “how you run it” is the key to operational success, or the “quality” of your product. But, your potstill, if operated properly, would do just as good at making those flavored spirits.
Got money to spend? Go ahead. But it may just end up setting on your shelf.
ss
Got money to spend? Go ahead. But it may just end up setting on your shelf.
ss
My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
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My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
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Re: Alembic still
If I came across a well made Alembic 5g copper still for 50% off, I'd buy it. But I wouldn't run it on a worm condenser.
But for what they cost, and what I'd use one for, a small milk can, or a pony keg would be just as effective for less money, and my current kit would work perfectly with it.
Like SS said. It's just a copper pot still.
But for what they cost, and what I'd use one for, a small milk can, or a pony keg would be just as effective for less money, and my current kit would work perfectly with it.
Like SS said. It's just a copper pot still.
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- jonnys_spirit
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Re: Alembic still
I love my Alembic although it’s a little smaller @ 2.5g and i use it for small batch gins and similar. I made a liebig and a reflux condenser for it because the worm it came with was undersized - I can run as little as a couple liters no problem. It does require some flour paste to seal it but that’s easy. Run it on a 1k5W hotplate in the kitchen and can do a small batch after work before bed or a feints run from a single larger batch.
I’d go for it if the size works for your workflow plus they do look nice
Cheers!
-j
I’d go for it if the size works for your workflow plus they do look nice
Cheers!
-j
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i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
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i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
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Re: Alembic still
They do look nice and everyone loves a bargain but.... are you swapping something you like but don't use much, for something that you may like but don't use much - just sayin
Re: Alembic still
I got my 3 liter cheap. It’s a great little gin still. Automated the cooling water to the worm and it has no problem knocking down whatever I give it.
5 gallons is a bit of an awkward size. A bit on the large size for small experiments and a bit small for making likker for aging.
5 gallons is a bit of an awkward size. A bit on the large size for small experiments and a bit small for making likker for aging.
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Re: Alembic still
I'm gonna get it, it's only 150 bucks. It'll be the most I've spent on this hobby so far but, it will be used at least monthly, my current spirit run still is 5 gallons so I'm used to size, plus I have wanted one since i started this hobby, they are nice to look at, i love working with, seeing and making stuff with wood and metal.
I'm kinda excited about it now
I'm kinda excited about it now
"To ease the pressures of this world here's the way i got it figured, the thing to do for me and you is to drink lots of good corn liquor"
Buck Owens
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Re: Alembic still
Now I got to get something fermenting
"To ease the pressures of this world here's the way i got it figured, the thing to do for me and you is to drink lots of good corn liquor"
Buck Owens
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Re: Alembic still
I'd buy that for 150 bucks. Nice score . I have other stills that are better suited for making bulk spirits, but that would be very handy for some of the things I do.
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Re: Alembic still
Perfect little gin still.
Re: Alembic still
looks great and defo a bargain at that price - is it really a 5 gal pot, it seems smaller in the photo?
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Re: Alembic still
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Beautiful still, CornCracker.
At the turn of the century, Charles Gordon (grandson of William Grant & Sons) hired Lesley Gracie, a chemist by trade to develop a 'new' gin for him, using roses and cucumber. The plan was to kickstart the lowly gin industry and introduce what became Hendrick's Gin. Master Distiller Ms. Gracie is now considered the first lady of gin and Hendrick's sells over a million cases annually.
Thought you might like this photo of her.
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Beautiful still, CornCracker.
At the turn of the century, Charles Gordon (grandson of William Grant & Sons) hired Lesley Gracie, a chemist by trade to develop a 'new' gin for him, using roses and cucumber. The plan was to kickstart the lowly gin industry and introduce what became Hendrick's Gin. Master Distiller Ms. Gracie is now considered the first lady of gin and Hendrick's sells over a million cases annually.
Thought you might like this photo of her.
.
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Re: Alembic still
Thanks Twisted, that's an awesome bit of history, i appreciate that!
"To ease the pressures of this world here's the way i got it figured, the thing to do for me and you is to drink lots of good corn liquor"
Buck Owens
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Re: Alembic still
Hey Corn, check out some mods i did to mine when I lost the worm. This one has an NTP male 1” fitting on top of the onion head so it wasn’t too bad cutting and soldering some copper. Let me know if you want more pics. The RC and PC section connect with a 1/2” union fitting. I can run without reflux by closing the reflux valve and/or not connecting water to that section. This is a ten liter / 2.5gallon baby so yours might be different at the top.
Cheers!
-j
Cheers!
-j
————
i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
————
i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
————
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Re: Alembic still
Jonny, i appreciate the pics, a lot of food for thought. Good job on that build!
"To ease the pressures of this world here's the way i got it figured, the thing to do for me and you is to drink lots of good corn liquor"
Buck Owens
Buck Owens
Re: Alembic still
I ran mine today. It used very little cooling water. I don't know why some users have trouble with their worms. I presume that they are doing something wrong, probably something that their physics teachers tried to teach them at school, but they've already forgotten by they time they built/bought their first worm.
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Re: Alembic still
NZChris wrote: ↑Tue Aug 17, 2021 12:01 am I ran mine today. It used very little cooling water. I don't know why some users have trouble with their worms. I presume that they are doing something wrong, probably something that their physics teachers tried to teach them at school, but they've already forgotten by they time they built/bought their first worm.
How many wraps of tubing does your worm consist of i have 2
"To ease the pressures of this world here's the way i got it figured, the thing to do for me and you is to drink lots of good corn liquor"
Buck Owens
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Re: Alembic still
I'm thinking of turning that into a thumper
"To ease the pressures of this world here's the way i got it figured, the thing to do for me and you is to drink lots of good corn liquor"
Buck Owens
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Re: Alembic still
The worm that came with mine felt a little undersized. Probably could have made it work but I really wasn’t a fan with how plumbing the water worked in that system and the product output was too low to be useful without elevating the whole rig so I changed it and it’s definitely more functional now both with product takeoff and condensing capabilities lol.
I hadn’t considered turning the flake stand into a thumper but that would be interesting as well! Let us know how it goes Corn Cracker if you go that route
Cheers!
-j
I hadn’t considered turning the flake stand into a thumper but that would be interesting as well! Let us know how it goes Corn Cracker if you go that route
Cheers!
-j
————
i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
————
i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
————
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Re: Alembic still
Nz, you got a bigger worm than me
I ran the vinegar through it and it needs a some modifications, I'm going to solder a ½ inch copper stub out under the over flow in the worm pot(i know there's a proper name, can't remember it though) to hook my pump up to and use the top one for a return line, the union to hook up the worm is crazy, there's a big gap between mating surfaces i need to replace that with a propper copper union.
I'm going to make those 2 mods this week and run some feints this weekend to try it out
I ran the vinegar through it and it needs a some modifications, I'm going to solder a ½ inch copper stub out under the over flow in the worm pot(i know there's a proper name, can't remember it though) to hook my pump up to and use the top one for a return line, the union to hook up the worm is crazy, there's a big gap between mating surfaces i need to replace that with a propper copper union.
I'm going to make those 2 mods this week and run some feints this weekend to try it out
"To ease the pressures of this world here's the way i got it figured, the thing to do for me and you is to drink lots of good corn liquor"
Buck Owens
Buck Owens
Re: Alembic still
OK, first I have to admit I have used several types of product condenser but never a traditional worm and flake stand. I love the looks of an alembic still and almost bought one years ago. If I ever do in the future I am sure it will be more of a display still than one I would use. My reasoning is I could never rationalize paying for a large alembic still and I already have two small stills for essential oils and gin. But if the price is right I would in a minute buy an alembic still to show case in my house.
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Re: Alembic still
Don’t forget….If you modify your still, you NEED to redo the cleaning protocol….in it’s entirety! Safety FIRST!Corn Cracker wrote: ↑Tue Aug 17, 2021 4:40 pm…going to make those 2 mods this week and run some feints this weekend to try it out…
ss
My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
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Re: Alembic still
I got off work early so i worked on the still, got the lower pipe soldered in for the flake stand chill water and i figured out that the top threaded part of the factory "union" was supposed to be soldered stationary so i got that massive leak taken care, still don't like it though I'll change it to a copper union another day.
"To ease the pressures of this world here's the way i got it figured, the thing to do for me and you is to drink lots of good corn liquor"
Buck Owens
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Re: Alembic still
I have seen reports of those style alembic stills being sold recently testing positive for lead, consider buying a test kit...