I had built a valved reflux from the plans at moonshine still.com attached to a 6 gallon or so stainless boiler. I only enlarged the condensor a little maybe 2" inches adding a couple of coils.
I used an old 20 some odd gallon trash can for a coolant supply (am going to use the swimming pool next).
I washed it with white vinegar and then fired up my northern tools furnished 15000 btu propane burner. I used coper packing from brewhaus, 4 little rolls filled my 30" collumn and 1 little roll filled the opening in the condenser.
It took a little over an hour to get it up to temp and then after what seemed like forever waiting for any thermometer action it went whoomph! to 100c.
I let it steam right out the condenser for over an hour to clean it.
I then lowered the heat some so I wouldnt burn all my propane and kicked on the coolant and bam! I was a distillin' water! after about a quart or so of a reflux slow drip drip drip all the oily stuff came out. I changed mason jars and then was getting the cleanest water I ever seen, it was very warm though so I let some cool in a glass and down the hatch... so far i am not blind.
anyway.... I was amazed at how much garbage was left in my boiler upon shut down! I mean I have been drinking that for all these years!! lol next step now is to refill the propane tank and go by some cheap carlo rossi gallon wine and I am hoping to distill that and make some sort of grappa like beverage.. anybody have any thoughts on that? i am just not going to be able to do the mash thing yet, this is all an experiment right now. I plan on gradulating to corn liqour as i love the north Carolina corn whiskey my buddy brings me every year.
also any body have any idea how long a 20lb propane cylinder usually lasts? in hours i mean? typically, obviously my results will vary.
I'm on the right track right? pictures hopefully tomorrow
man I'm excited!!!!
