Hello All

[Zydec]

Hi Everyone

Just joined the forum and on here in search of informaion, tips, and some good pals .

For infomation I have been making wine for around 5 years now and want to experiment with distilling,
I am currently buying a super reflux (25l) in the near future, as I am just starting out I will just be buying
a start up kit with everything. I really can't wait to produce my first batch. Hopefully with your help I can
experiment further.

Thanks for taking the time to read my post

Zydec

[rad14701]

Welcome to the forums, Zydec...

Which Super Reflux still are you thinking about purchasing...??? If you have a link we can help assess the unit before you fork out good money for it... Better to know before purchasing whether you've made a wise decision... If you have a link that would be great...

As far as any kit, if you can get it without the turbo yeast kit included you really don't need to start out with a bad habit that might be hard to break... All you need is the equipment...

Plenty of good information here to be had... Good luck...

[kiwistiller]

I think I know what you're talking about. Don't get that still. It's a bad design, and very costly. requires a lot of fiddling during the run. Don't do it.

[Zydec]

Hi there

The still i will be getting is http://www.wineworks.co.uk/product/stil ... arter_kit/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I know it has a bad design and maybe seems a little expensive, but I need to start somewhere and want to
(get in the click). As soon as I have established a background knowledge on distilling first hand on the reflux shown above,
i will (with your help) progress further and try my best to create my ultimate distilling machine haha.
With this in mind with the super reflux I was recommended that I changed the "ceramic saddles" that come with it, for either copper or stainless mesh, What would you recommend? and where could i obtain such a material?

Thanks again for your support and knowledge

Zydec

[kiwistiller]

you should use copper mesh. not sure where you'd get it from, maybe someone local can help with that. before you buy it, are you (like me) shit with tools or are you just wanting a quick start? why are you buying? Other purchase options may be better if you are planning on purchasing a second still after that. might be worth looking at Manu's stuff http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =8&t=11865, might work out a bit more initially, but it's what you'll end up with anyway if you want to keep going in this game (a VM / pot combo I mean, not necessarily one from Manu, although his are shiny ).

Pretty much everyone who gets that design of still ends up buying / building a new one or modifying heavily. add to that a small(-ish) capacity, the useless stuff (carbon filters) and the PITA it is to run, slow take off rates (don't believe what they tell you, it will take longer than advertised), and so on and so forth.

I speak from bitter experience when I advise to do it right the first time. You won't regret it.

If your heart is set on that still, here is my guide to running it http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 17&t=11265

Maybe there is a UK member who could help you manufacture one yourself. You never know until you ask.

[noobsauce]

Welcome Zydec, Honestly..even if you are crappy with tools I highly reccomend building your first. I think its a valuable learning experience and really isnt that costly overall. You should consider what type of spirits you want to make also. If you are learning towards neutral alcohol yeah the reflux type are better but a simple pot still is cheaper and easier to make if you are interested in whiskeys,rums,etc.

Just my 2 cp GL on whatever choice you make.

[Zydec]

Hello again, I'm more into using the reflux for neutral spirits at the moment
I know your all giving me good advice about not getting that still but I need
to start somewhere and as like my wine hobby I started from a wine kit range
and now confident to make my own country wines, so I think I'll get the still and
change to a copper mesh and follow that manual
that was on the link, and when I feel I have learnt enough I'll put aside the reflux
and make my own, and yes I am very bad at DIY lol. anyone tried the still spirits essances?

Thanks again

Zydec

[kiwistiller]

anyone tried the still spirits essances?

Yup as a rule all the 'spirit' essences are rubbish. some of the liqueurs are ok, but it is hit and miss. I got better results when I didn't use their liqueur 'packs' and did the sugaring and such myself.

[Zydec]

Oh right, seems that I have fallen into the still spirits trap haha.
O well ill make the most of it.

Z

[kiwistiller]

Oh right, seems that I have fallen into the still spirits trap haha.

somewhat, yes

don't worry, you can still make some decent stuff with that still, no need for essences / carbon / spending-at-the-brew-shop, but if you want anything other than gin, neutral and liqueurs, you're going to be detuning it into a pot still fairly often, and you should try to get either a power controller or a smaller element. the stock ones are too grunty for running it as a pot still for anything other than stripping.

[Zydec]

Oh right, so having this still making vodka will do fine?

[kiwistiller]

yup it will make clean vodka if you treat it right. see the guide I linked earlier in this thread.

[Zydec]

Nice one,
Thanks again!

[Zydec]

Hi all

Just wondered if anyone could help me decide on a water pump for my super reflux still. http://www.wineworks.co.uk/product/25l_ ... extractor/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
The required flow rate is betweek 400-500 mls a minute.
I have looked around for a water pump and I can buy one from liquorcraft but at a high price, http://www.liquorcraft.com.au/afawcs013 ... tails.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
But have been informed I can use a pond pump and a 60 litre container and ice, I have seen
this pump and wondered if this will do the job http://www.pondpumpsdirect.com/product. ... re+Details" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

If this pump is not suitible then can anyone advise a different one I can obtain in the uk?
Thanks again

[kiwistiller]

if you use a pump with higher capacity than you need, put a three way ball valve on the input to the still, so you can send a portion of the flow back to the tank, controlling flow without buggering the pump.