Howdy. 1st Timer.

[juanmnmofo]

hello everybody. i am currently in the process of building an offshoot of an alex 25L still using ss boiler components and a copper column. i was originally going for a dephlegmator and than a separate condenser but then i noticed a different design (nixon stone)........... the question that i have is. is the reflux return really necessary in this design or can i just let the accumulation overflow and fall back into the column? i think it would save me some time, soldering and fittings if i just had the single needle valve connected under the condenser. any info would be greatly appreciated thank you.

[Bushman]

Welcome to the forum, the nixon stone is a little dated and there are better designs on the forum. First decide what you type of liquor you want to make and that will help decide on the type of still you should build Good luck!

[condensificator]

welcome.

most folks here would suggest a dual slant-plate boka...and i would fully agree! you can get yer feet wet with with it, then decide where you want to go from there. if you build it in a modular fashion with tri-clamp fittings, you will be able to expand and re-use all of your components. just keep looking around the site, and you'll find yer way.

good luck!

[rad14701]

Greetings, juanmnmofo...

As previously noted, the Nixon Stone valved reflux offset head design is a bit dated... There is no benefit to investing the additional money, time, and effort into building that design instead of the simpler and less expensive Bokakob dual slant plate column... You will notice more build topics for the Bokakob here than you will for the valved reflux for good reason...

Do plenty of research here in these forums, as well as on the parent site, before deciding on which design to build...


Good luck...

[juanmnmofo]

i'm sorry if i'm going to offend some bokakob proponents here but i think it would be easier for me to build the nixon as i've drawn up and i like the design a little better. i understand the boka might be a little easier to make but if i'm gonna go with ss than i'd like the nixon. i have found a very good supplier of sanitary ss that could also weld the things for me so my design would incorporate an elbow instead of a t at the top of the column since i'm not thinking of using a thermometer and like i've mentioned before the reflux going back to the column would just spill over instead of drilling another tube going into the column. whatcha guys think?

[rad14701]

juanmnmofo, if you are intent upon building the offset head design then go for it... I would propose the following changes, however...

The thermometer should enter through the back side of the elbow so it avoids contact with the liquid reflux which would skew temperature readings...

You need a way to center the reflux rather than simply spilling back down through the elbow and down the side of the packed column... Perhaps a reflux tube running horizontally from the collection cup into the elbow or column, but below the thermometer level, would suffice... It would need to extend into the center of the column...

Make sure both elements are located low enough in the boiler to insure that they will be adequately covered with wash throughout the run, even when running a partial boiler charge...

[juanmnmofo]

well i guess the reflux tube into the column is unavoidable and as for the heating elements i was thinking of running some controller along with the 2 elements and shutting the top one and letting the bottom one simmer the contents. thank you all for your input.

[Bayou-Ruler]

Welcome to the forum

[juanmnmofo]

so my column and head project has begun. 4 foot ss column with 2" ferrules on both sides and a ss double slant plate head which will feature a copper coil for now. all beautifully welded by professionals and not me haha.