I just scrapped together a 2 gallon pot still for testing flavors out for rums and whiskeys out of some old fittings and a few feet of copper.
The arm is only 22'' long at a slight angle so theres not very much area for cooling. I will be using pretty low heat using a small propane burner on the lowest setting there is. I dont have a coil on it yet but if it wont cool without, one ill have to put one on. Would this be enough to actually cool the vapors down enough to condense?
I put the arm at 2 angles, i would think the one with the lower angle would be better to cool since it dosent have as much as a angle? Would this really make a difference? This probably wont work without a coil but im just checking to see what you guys think while my wash is still fermenting.
I know ill probably get flamed for having such a tiny still, but its only for testing flavors, and I have a 7.5 gallon keg still thats being converted to a reflux right now.
I like the second picture better.
There is NO WAY that that alone will cool the vapors. you will NEED a coil, or replace the longest piece of copper with a water jacket (liebig) condenser.
My first boiler wash 2 gallons. Then I downsized to a 6qt, then a 3 gallon, then 5 gallon, now 15 gallon. I am working on getting a 30 gallon stainless drum from someone I know.
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I was thinking just putting the longest tube through a bucket of cold water? Im really not smart enough to build a water jacket, but if it only has to be cold i think the bucket should work fine? I ran my old 7 gallon still with 4' of 1 1/8'' tubing and i didnt even coil it and it seemed to stay cool for a while? then after it got hot i just draped a cool rag over it?
the boilers only 2 gallons, so ill be using a normal 5 gallon bucket. the still works perfectly on top of the grill and the bucket is sitting on the little shelf, then a copper tube runs to the ground to fill up the mason jars. Ill take some pics. thanks