First potstill, condenser Q's

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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HereComesTrouble
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First potstill, condenser Q's

Post by HereComesTrouble »

I'm building a simple potstill based on Samohons Easy Potstill design. My thought was to build a smaller vertical condenser, either a Graham or a Shotgun. I'm having trouble with figuring out what would be comparable or better than a 36" Liebig (1/2" inside 3/4"). When I say better, I mean at knockdown ...I'm using a Bayou Classic SP10 propane burner and a 9 gallon pot with 6 gallon wash.

I've got about 15 feet of coil in my shop thats 1/2" OD and about 3/8 ID. I'm thinking thers no way in hell im gonna get that wrapped to make a Graham inside a 3" tube? I'd love to do a 2" diameter shotgun, but im lost in the comparable sizing, especially length. Building it scares me less than coiling that tubing, I used to do a bunch of jewely smithng and metal work. My guess is to use about a 18" long 2" tube, and have 7 - 3/8" tubes inside? Or 4 a 1/2"? Would 12" be long enough?
My column goes 2" to 90 degree 2", then 2" to 1" reducer. Should it go into the condenser at 1" or should I come doen to 3/4" or less? I'm assuming 2" reducer down to about 1/2" on the way out of the condenser.

Lastly, can i just use garden hose pressure into my condenser?

Thanks!
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LWTCS
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Re: First potstill, condenser Q's

Post by LWTCS »

HereComesTrouble wrote:Lastly, can i just use garden hose pressure into my condenser?
yes
HereComesTrouble wrote:Would 12" be long enough?
Depends how much heat you through at your boiler. I had a (12" core) triple wall leibig that worked like a champ on the (2500w) stove top but struggled with strip runs on the (4500w) keg.
Trample the injured and hurdle the dead.
HereComesTrouble
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Re: First potstill, condenser Q's

Post by HereComesTrouble »

Here's what I'm thinking. Fitting to pot, not sure yet. Upgrade to keg is likely. All feed back is appreciated.

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Kentucky shinner
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Re: First potstill, condenser Q's

Post by Kentucky shinner »

Your condenser on this design should be fine. The shotgun condensers are very efficient
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