About my distiller draw

[ADOLFO]

Hi Folks,

My name is Adolfo Rojas, I’m from Costa Rica. I want to make a distiller as a hobby and I want to ask if any people with some experience in distiller process can check my draw of “home made distiller”
This draw is based in many researches in internet by me.
The only thing that I want is to know if this “distiller” will work and if it’s possible, to give me an opinion about them.

Thanks in advance,

[aj]

Well, this rig would work, but there are a couple of things you need to correct.

1) You don't necessarily need a thermometer unless you're doing some kind of fractional distillation or otherwise need to monitor your vapor temperature, but with a condenser like that, this rig looks like a standard pot still, in which case you don't need it. Either way, it should be at the top of the column so that it's measuring the temperature of what you're distilling at that moment.

2) At the top it says "tubing 1". You need to be careful with that tubing and what it's made out of. Keep in mind that what's coming out of the top of your column is going to be HOT ethanol vapor. Whatever that tubing is, it had better not be plastic! You'd be much better off connecting it with copper or just doing what the old moonshiners did and extend your condenser worm to connect to the column.

3) I do not know what the "T"-shape is at the top, but it looks like you're considering suspending your condenser bath from the ceiling? That's a bad idea, too. The last thing you want is for it to fall or leak or whatever, and either topple your still (bad), or potentially fill your space with ethanol vapor (worse).

[stoker]

do you want a pots still or reflux still?

[ADOLFO]

Thanks aj and stoker for the help.

Aj:
I will remove the thermometer and try to search good tubing for this HOT vapor or try to search another option for that.
Yes, T shape is for suspending the condenser and yes, it's a really bad idea.


Stoker:
I’m very newbie on this "distiller world". What is the difference between pots still and reflux still?


Thanks for the help.

[aj]

I will remove the thermometer and try to search good tubing for this HOT vapor or try to search another option for that.

I'd say screw it and just extend your condenser directly to the column. Look at all of the old moonshine stills, that's exactly what they did. Or, just invest a little extra time and make a liebig condenser out of copper. Just make sure your tubing (condenser and otherwise) isn't too thin, otherwise pressure will build up.

[FAROM]

do you want a pots still or reflux still?

It is more correct to ask to Adolfo thing he/she wants to distill, wiskey, rhum, vodka, alcohol, absinthe? Accordingly the type of distiller can be recommended by to use, ciao a tutti .

[Husker]

The pic is of a pot still

A pot still is very simply a still that boils H2O/EtOH mixture, and condenses the vapor (which is stronger in EtOH than the starting mash was).

A reflux (fractional, or other names can also be seen here), is a type of still that is much enhanced over the simple pot still. It boils the mash, just like the pot still, however, it is designed so that the vapor is condensed back to liquid, and that liquid is "automatically" redistilled again (and again and again ...). Doing this will greatly enhance the EtOH strength of the resultant output, and will remove the flavor of the product.


You use one or the other types of stills to make different drinks. For any flavored drink (Whiskey, rum, grappa, brandy, etc) you will use a pot still, while you use a reflux still to produce a neutral (flavorless/odorless) product (such as vodka/gin). NOTE many people will produce a neutral, and then "flavor" it up after they have distilled it. To make flavored drinks like this, one would use a reflux still, and then add commercial (or home made) flavorings. Some of the fun things about this hobby, is there are so many ways to do things (as long as you do so in a safe manner). However, some methods are much better than others.


Oh, btw, WELCOME to the forum. Also, you should spend a lot of time on the parent site ( http://homedistiller.org onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow ) as ALL of the initial questions you have will be explained there and explained in a VERY easily manner.

H.

[Tater]

Welcome to fourm read sights in my signature to get a better understanding. I recommend reading tonys sight first from front to end.

[MikeyT]

It would help if we knew what kind of liquor you want to make? Corn whiskey, vodka, brandy,......?

Pot stills are easy to make and are generally used for grain whiskey's and can usually make up to 60%-70% alcohol on the first run.

Reflux stills can get quite complicated but can pump out up to 98% alcohol if tuned well and the operator knows what their doing. (thats why I opted for a pot still!!!)

Set your condenser on a small table and use copper tubing and your good to go for a pot still. Just don't fill the pot still more than half full and start out with a low heat till you get the feel of things. Try for 3-5 drips per second at first.

I have a thermometer in the pot and another at the top of the column on mine. It will help you understand what's happening at first. I'm about to the point now of not using them.

[Husker]

Some people use a thermometer for a pot still (to determine where they want to make their "cuts"). I have recently taken on a programming task to get a pot still application working on a web site for a still manufacturer. One of the requirements for that app is to have it outputting proper temperatures for the vapor at the top of the head (for simple pot, and before and after an optional thumper-like attachment). Many who use these commercial stills, do so based upon temps. Others (like myself), simply use smell, taste, looks and even feel to determine just when to stop collecting heads, and when to stop collecting body.

H.

[aj]

Somewhat off-topic, I would love to see a new thread on taking cuts. It always helps to hear how other people make their cuts and when.

[ADOLFO]

Thanks for the help, this site appears to be a very nice community.
According to the readings and that Husker, I want to make a "pot still". because appears to be easier for a beginner like me.

If there any mistake, please sorry for my English, is not fine.


Thanks,

[ADOLFO]

I forgot this...
I want to make run, Whiskey's and other home made "spirits" beverages.

[ADOLFO]

Hi Folks,
I redraw another distiller with some changes. This distiller will not use the condenser unit separated from the main column.
I was wondering if people in this forum can give some opinion about this new design.

Thanks in advance…

[CoopsOz]

That will work, that is exactly the same design as the Bokakob mini still.

[PUGIDOGS]

Adolfo, that last design works well, do a search for bokakob, you will turn up alot of information. I have one and I run it both ways, detuned to use as a potstill and pack the column with scrubbers for nuetral spirits.


As english is your second language I thought I might help some. The " distiller" is you. The piece of equipment you use to make spirits is a " still "....Pugi

[ADOLFO]

Adolfo, that last design works well, do a search for bokakob, you will turn up alot of information. I have one and I run it both ways, detuned to use as a potstill and pack the column with scrubbers for nuetral spirits.


As english is your second language I thought I might help some. The " distiller" is you. The piece of equipment you use to make spirits is a " still "....Pugi

PUGIDOGS,
Thanks for the clarification.

Regards,

[ADOLFO]

Do you think that is better my 1st design or the second one?
Who still will work better?


Thanks...

[ADOLFO]

Adolfo, that last design works well, do a search for bokakob, you will turn up alot of information. I have one and I run it both ways, detuned to use as a potstill and pack the column with scrubbers for nuetral spirits.


As english is your second language I thought I might help some. The " distiller" is you. The piece of equipment you use to make spirits is a " still "....Pugi

PUGIDOGS,
What kind of "spirits" I obtain if I pack the column with scrubbers, what is the difference?
Neutral spirits reefers to neutral odor?

Thanks,

[aj]

Neutral spirits are just that: they have no flavor of their own to speak of. They are (mostly) just ethanol and water. You really should try reading some of the materials on this site, there's a lot of good information out there.

[msrorysdad]

from what you want a pot still would be best, I make mostly whiskey, rum, ect... If I want a "netural" spirit I just distill it twice, or more. The first design, Read the site, check building a world class distillation device. Read for at least a month before you build. Howdy. I'm from Texas, english is a second language for me too, I speak fluent redneck

[stoker]

the second still is a decent reflux still (neutral alcohol)
the first a pot still (you'll get flavour) , but then I would make the column shorter.

[ADOLFO]

Good mornming stoker
Thanks for your comment, but why my second still is a reflux still" ?

This design is very close to "Bokakob" plans: http://homedistiller.org/image/mini_explained.jpg. He says at the rigth of the design that I will have XXX mL/hr of 95% abv in refluxed mode and XX L/hr in pot-still mode.

How I can switch between one mode and another ?

I want the still to make run, whiskey and other flavored spirits. Please recomend me.


Thanks.

[Husker]

You can use a "reflux" still in a "pot still" mode.

To reflux, what you do is to return a large part (most) of the vapor that condenses out, BACK to the column. So, the boiler boils the mash creating vapors. These vapors rise up through the column, and are condensed into liquid. Then a refluxing still will return most of this (say 75% to 90%) back into the column. This liquid has been distilled once (this is not really true, but hang in there with me). Thus, this liquid is much stronger than what is in the boiling mash.

Now, things did not stop. The boiler is still boiling. Hot vapor is still rising in the column. We do not just dump this liquid into nothingness. What we do is loosely pack our column with a material which has a lot of surface area, but does not overly restrict the flow of the vapors. A good material for this is stainless steel pot scrubbers (or copper scrubbers / mesh). Thus, the liquid we return does not just "drop" back into the pot, but flows down this packing material. This liquid will cause some of the water vapor in the vapor column, to drop out of vapor. This will increase the percentage of EtOH in the vapor. Also, the hot vapor will evaporate some of the EtOH from the refluxing liquid. This will also cause the vapor to increase in EtOH strength.

This process continues over and over again. What actually happens within a column, is that it comes to a certain "equalibrium" where the concentration of certain compounds will form "layers" within the column. The liquid with the lowest boiling points (highest volatility) will climb up to the top of the column. Then below it, will be vapors of the next highest volatility, etc. What you do when running a still like this, is to VERY slowly, bleed off each of these different comounds. As you obatin the first (in a pretty concentrated form), then the next highest volatiliy compound will be at the top of the still, and then you remove that.

What that does, is allows you to separate out a mash into different parts. You get concentated methanol (along with other very high volatile alcohols). Then some ethyl acetate (and some other high volatiles). Then you get into very pure ethanol (what you are after). The ethanol is the most plentiful alcohol in most washes, so the volume of this "layer" can be quite large. Then when most of the ethanol is gone, you start getting into the lower volatile alcohols (you will hear called tails or fusel oils). The higher volatiles will also often be called foreshots and heads.

Now, you "can" run a reflux still in pot still mode. To do this, you simply do NOT let the column go to equalibrium. It is easy to do. You simply do NOT return any condensed vapor back to the column. I.e. you do not reflux back any alcohols. Thus, what you end up with is a simple pot still, with a column. Some people will also recomment removing the packing material, however, that is not that huge of a deal If your column is insulated, then the packing material will simply heat up to the temperature of the vapor, and the vapor will pass over it, and not cool and condense out.

Thus, the reflux still (which the inline bokabob is but one type of), "can" be used as a pot still. It is not an "ideal" pot still, but it does work pretty good in that mode.

H.

[ADOLFO]

Husker, thanks for your time and this very clear explain.

Any other people have an idea to make a good pot-still?
The idea is to make a good and efficient pot-still

Thanks in advance

[Uncle Jesse]

I like thermometers. I have one in my boiler and one at the top of the column.

[junkyard dawg]

My favorite design uses two 15.5 gallon kegs. Use one for the boiler, the other to hold the condensor coil. Its simple, works great. No moving water, no pumps, cheap and good... Kegs are easy to come by if you learn where to look. If you spend a little money and buy good quality threaded fittings you can build it without needing gaskets or any sort of sealing paste...You will also have the confidence of very sturdy construction. Search for bujapats potstill. He has some photos of a very nice potstill.

[Bujapat]

I build both pot and fractionnating stills... Quite similar as your drafts... See these old topics :
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4093
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =pot+still
Both work pretty well!

[ADOLFO]

I build both pot and fractionnating stills... Quite similar as your drafts... See these old topics :
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4093
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =pot+still
Both work pretty well!

Hey,
Is a very good work.

After many designs and readings on this site, I decide to make my still like my first drawing (with some changes).
For sure this still will be my first, later maybe i can make another one diferent (re-flux), but I need to start with something. I will put some pics of my SS keg, tubes and other things.

Thanks for support on this,