CM Still doorstop or "world class aparattus"

Putting older posts here. Going to try to keep the novice forum pruned about 90 days work. The 'good' old stuff is going to be put into appropriate forums.

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leob2
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CM Still doorstop or "world class aparattus"

Post by leob2 »

I've been using a pot still with pretty good luck so far. So I got the bug to build another one so I was reading the parent site the other day and it directed me to plans to build a world class still. I chose to build the CM Relux instead of the Valved one and I can't find anything written good about it. Is anyone happy with theirs and can you give me some help operating mine. I have it on top of a 15 gal keg with a fresh suppy of water what size heating element do you suggest after you reach temprature I'm assuming you control the temprature with water.I have a wash fermenting right now. Does this thing work or should I use my pot still and throw this one in the river?
I hope that I feel better when I'm ridin' in that hearse.
big worm
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Re: CM Still doorstop or "world class aparattus"

Post by big worm »

it will work....most have swapped to vm now i think. if you have a cm then use it for the neutrals as a reflux still. cm is fine just a little older style.
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rad14701
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Re: CM Still doorstop or "world class aparattus"

Post by rad14701 »

You are correct about controlling the column with water, leob2...

Unfortunately, we get far too many folks coming here asking about this now outdated design... Plans for it are posted all over the internet and quite a few units are for sale on eBay and other sites... Using water alone to control the column reflux is what makes it awkward to operate which is why many people have removed the coolant (reflux) tubes and made other changes... There are several active threads on this very design right now...

This design is, more or less, just a hybrid pot still because you have no real control over reflux ratio or take off rate aside from adjusting the heat and coolant inputs... No real calibrations are possible beyond guessing...
draco
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Re: CM Still doorstop or "world class aparattus"

Post by draco »

My CM column puts out a pretty consistent 88%. When I built a new column I made a bok and with suggestions from Rad I added a graham condenser and now I am getting 94%. As I learn how to run it better I expect I will get to the coveted 95% with no problem. If someone is giving you a CM for free don't be afraid to run it. However if you are putting money into a new one why not get the newer better designs?
20 Liter boiler
1 1/2 in Bok 36in tall with Graham condenser
Pot still head.
I make Absinthe using Wineos "Plain Ol Sugar Wash" and Nigel's "best absinthe so far" recipe.
Tatt2d
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Re: CM Still doorstop or "world class aparattus"

Post by Tatt2d »

leob2 wrote: I chose to build the CM Relux instead of the Valved one and I can't find anything written good about it. Is anyone happy with theirs and can you give me some help operating mine.

Does this thing work or should I use my pot still and throw this one in the river?
I take it you already have one built? If so , you got the basic idea of how to run it, so run it and get some experince on whats going to happen.

I got one. Mine has a coil at the top of the column instead of the thru tubes. It works for me. I do intend on changing styles in the near future but for now its making me some good nuetrals and giving me some run time.

If you aint built it yet - Look at another easier to operate design.
I ask because I dont know better...

My first drops of distillate fell on Nov.18 '08 quickly followed again 10 days later. I'm hooked...
I run a 1.5" reflux column 51" tall. It is a CM rig... Yea, I know... - researching LM/VM now...
leob2
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Re: CM Still doorstop or "world class aparattus"

Post by leob2 »

I built one becuse of the ease and everyone was praising a reflux still (I should have done a little more research). My pot still does fine what will this do different?
I hope that I feel better when I'm ridin' in that hearse.
HookLine
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Re: CM Still doorstop or "world class aparattus"

Post by HookLine »

If it has the cooling tube/s through the lower part of the column, then it ain't no good. If they are all at the top, above the packing, it will do a reasonable job, but can be fussy and fiddly to run. Virtually nobody uses that design anymore.
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