alex 25

[Silent Hill]

Hey,

I am currently trying to decide on to build my own still or buy one, the commercial ones you can buy off the shelf here look kinda crappy and are not cheap but i came across this one that is hand made buy some dude in his shed, and it looks like the business for only $100 (still $700 ouch) more than the so called top of the line still spirits T500. I did notice there is a valve in the vapor path and there seems to bee alot of plastic in the videos but on the auction listing he states he has replaced all plastic with ss..

Just wondering if some of you people in the know, could give it a visual 'once over' to see if it is worth the money or should i just go and get me a keg.

Here is the listing http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing ... =288268784

And here is a drawn out series of videos of it in use.. only watch if you feel the need/bored.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPOIyRTMiDg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0P7oOLG7 ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8extS_W ... re=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYC2sUaK ... re=related

Any opinions are appreciated.

[mrhooch]

Well 700 might be a lot of money, but looking at that still, there is a lot of work in it. Would be difficult for you to make for that 700. Plastic is ok for cooling water, but the really clear plastic pipe really softens up at the tempratures of stilling I've found out.

Hooch.

[Teddysad]

Not exactly built in his shed its a commercial operation producing quite a range of units.
The Alex 25 is all stainless steel the only plastic is the cooling water lines.
With two seperate columns its a very good performer

[rednose]

I bought all the plans from Alex a while ago and what I saw is looking quite good.

I plan to built one of his continious models in the near future.

700$ for the complete built including the boiler etc. isn't expensive if you see what's behind of all that.

Joe

[kiwistiller]

Having seen the plans RN, how would you compare his designs to the various lm and vm designs we all know?

[Silent Hill]

Thanks for the replies,I was dead set on buying a t500 untill i had seen this one for an extra ~$50 you get a pot still as well and the quality does look alot better.

My main concern is if i want to run a flavored whiskey mash through it as from my understanding the element is exposed directly to the mash, would that cause problems with scorching?

[olddog]

My main concern is if i want to run a flavored whiskey mash through it as from my understanding the element is exposed directly to the mash, would that cause problems with scorching?

Only if you are distilling on the grain, or if you do not rack of well enough leaving grain bits in the wash.

OD

[rednose]

It works as a LM but there is no biggy in relation to other LMs.

Main difference is the cooling system, other is that it's a lot of machine work to do and you need to solder TIG

At the end he uses a plastic hose to observe the LM level which I would change for a glass tube, also LM valve is plastic what would be need to change.

Overall it's a lot of work and it's SS which will last long, that's why I think it's a good price if you want something different.

Can't say much more cause I respect the intelectual property.

Can't say anything about performance until built it and I will built it only if I'm very bored one day and have nothing else to do.

Hope that helps.

BTW: I understand that it comes as key in the hand, ready to go with heating system and boiler

Joe

Having seen the plans RN, how would you compare his designs to the various lm and vm designs we all know?

[Teddysad]

also LM valve is plastic what would be need to change.


BTW: I understand that it comes as key in the hand, ready to go with heating system and boiler
[

Latest iterations have a SS valve . It is supplied turn-key tested and run before shipping so no cleaning run required

[Silent Hill]

After reading a few of his you tube comments it appears alot of people rained s**t upon him about using plastic in the vapor path(and for collecting 96% in plastic jugs) but after seeing this vid and from the photo's of his current still for sale he has listened to the masses and is now all stainless.

http://www.youtube.com/user/santeryi9#p/u/7/NbrO4Xs8ssI

[rednose]

Correct, looks much better than in the plans I have.

Only point for critics would be the reflux level hose (left upper side) which should be upgraded with a level sight glass.

I marked that part in red.

After reading a few of his you tube comments it appears alot of people rained s**t upon him about using plastic in the vapor path(and for collecting 96% in plastic jugs) but after seeing this vid and from the photo's of his current still for sale he has listened to the masses and is now all stainless.

http://www.youtube.com/user/santeryi9#p/u/7/NbrO4Xs8ssI

[Silent Hill]

But that is only cooling water traveling through that hose not vapor..? i my be missing something here.

[rednose]

Ask him, for me it's the reflux level.

But that is only cooling water traveling through that hose not vapor..? i my be missing something here.

[Silent Hill]

Thought you had zee plans no?

[rednose]

Yep, that's where I copied the upper photo and it's also the reason why I say what I say.

Thought you had zee plans no?

[Silent Hill]

Not exactly built in his shed its a commercial operation producing quite a range of units.
The Alex 25 is all stainless steel the only plastic is the cooling water lines.
With two seperate columns its a very good performer

If his 'commercial operation' isn't located at a residential address i will eat my hat/face.

thanks for the advice again teddysad.

[Silent Hill]

Another question is say i want to use the pot still cloum more than the reflux/vm what are the disadvantages of having no copper in the vapor path,as i have heard/read copper is essential for potstillin as it can remove some nasties.

[blanikdog]

You could always drop some copper boil breakers in the kettle. Can't think of anything else.

blanik

[kiwistiller]

copper has the benefit of getting rid of some sulpher compounds. you can always shove a copper scrubber in the vapour path, you can buy them from the home brew store, though it's way overpriced. careful, they'll try and sell you brass.

[aleksandr1]

Hi, the company behind the "Alex 25" still is 100% INTERNET trading company - no bricks and mortar, and of course located by the address of registered office, the stills are made elsewhere and a few subcontractors are involved (materials supply, laser cuts, machining, welding, assembly) the same as many Internet trading companies(shops, auctions and so on) where despite of being big and famous technically occupying no more than a couple of office rooms.

[theholymackerel]

where despite of being big and famous

Whatever ya say, Bubba...

[Kiwikeg]

looking at buying a Alex 25, as moving to smaller residence. has anyone used one and had any problems? I will mainly be using it as a pot still but about 3 times a year will need to make neutral to keep my dear wife supplied with vodka.
Any comments gratefully accepted as am about to place order....

[WalkingWolf]

looking at buying a Alex 25, as moving to smaller residence. has anyone used one and had any problems? I will mainly be using it as a pot still but about 3 times a year will need to make neutral to keep my dear wife supplied with vodka.
Any comments gratefully accepted as am about to place order....

The guy(s) behind this seem to be knowledgeable in what they are pursuing. I'm in no way endorsing this product other than to say if I were faced with your situation and had no tools/skills to make an "apartment" sized still then I would consider this as an option. While some would consider the cost a bit high it is definitely afforadable enough to take the chance. With that said, it is only fair to recommend you visit the thread where Rad discusses the still he runs in an apartment type setting. He has refined this unit to be run as a pot still as well as have reflux capabilities. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8439

Should you decide to go this route and up-to-date review would be in order.

[Kiwikeg]

Thank you for the reply WW. I have seen rads build and started a few builds myself which i get stuck on usually at the boiler/column join.
anything stainless steel cost a fortune down here.

But if anyone out there has any experiance of this Alex n 25 still i would love to hear from you even via PM.
I think Teddysad may have one?