traditional design vs modern technology

[thefarmer355]

grettings to all whom may answer this for me. I have searched the forums a few times maybe i wasn't using the correct words or something, but i am curious if there is any differerence in the final product if one uses a traditional all copper still vs. a keg setup or large ss pot with the fancy colums and so on. i realize everone loves the keg setup and ss pots because sheet copper or rolls of copper are crazy expensive, but i may have access to some and was wondering if it was worth it to take my time assembling a traditional design vs. modifying a keg. thanks for any replies thefarmer.

[olddog]

As long as there is some copper in the system to remove the sulphur in the distilate thats fine, but if you have the skills and wish to build it from sheet copper thats great. Most of us use a keg with a copper column, as its easier to get hold of a keg, than build a boiler from copper.

[thefarmer355]

thanks for the reply, i'm a 4th generation farmer and i've done alot in my 21 years i feel like it should be a fun project. but i will get the keg up and running first simply because i want to get the hang of things before i spend a crazy amount of money. i've english wheeled gas tanks for motorcycles, and done structural welding, i have friends who've mastered tig welding copper, so i feel as if i can build a fairly nice traditional still.

[rubber duck]

I think you have the right idea starting with a keg boiler.

As for traditional technology it's proven. Stainless wasn't available 500 years ago and until recently stainless was more expensive then copper. I'm of the opinion that stainless isn't better the copper, but a all copper rig isn't better the a stainless copper mix.

The jury is still out on this subject and I might be swayed to the traditional side. One thing i will say is that a traditional well crafted copper still is a beautiful site to behold and if you have the money to invest you won't be sorry that you built one.

It's a well thought out question and I would like to see more debate on the subject.

[Barney Fife]

Another advantage of a keg is that it's easier to explain if someone sees it than a big 'ol copper kettle!

[Husker]

thanks for the reply, i'm a 4th generation farmer and i've done alot in my 21 years i feel like it should be a fun project. but i will get the keg up and running first simply because i want to get the hang of things before i spend a crazy amount of money. i've english wheeled gas tanks for motorcycles, and done structural welding, i have friends who've mastered tig welding copper, so i feel as if i can build a fairly nice traditional still.

Kegs are CHEAP. I got 1/2 dozen this summer, and spent $45 total ($20 on one, $25 on another, and the other 4 for free). They have a ready made flange (well almost ready made) that fits a 2" water pipe. Thus very easily, and very cheaply, you can make one into a still that can do about 10-12 gallons at a time. And like you said, you can get in pretty cheap, play around a little and see if you like it, and then if you want to have some OOOOOooooo effect of a pretty all copper still, you can make one later, knowing that you will have fun using it.

Most here that have been doing this for a while, have a number of stills anyway. I am working on a couple new heads this winter, and some other 'tools'.

H.

[thefarmer355]

thanks for the replies guys, so pretty much the final product will have the same quality and taste if it was made in a beer keg or all copper still ?, i have a simple colum made up of 3 inch copper about 15-18 inches tall, then going into a 40ft x 5/8 worm in a barrel of water with an recirculating system and a banjo propane setup to heat it. am i missing anything ?

[olddog]

As long as your water container is as big as your boiler, you won't need to recirculate the water if you are using a coil. I have a 50lt keg and a 50lt plastic garbage container full of water and I can complete a full run without the need to change the water.