Any reviews of Rainier Distillers equipment?

[bentwoodbrewing]

Hi I'm a hobby distiller to be in the Northwest, and am still wrestling with the buy vs build decision for the first still. I'm a total DIYer, but I'm also way behind on my project list and am really thinking about buying a simple rig to start with, and the build from there. With that in mind I came across Rainier Distillers who are local to me here in W. Washington. They make a fairly basic stripping column still (that can also be ran as a pot still) that is relatively inexpensive. Does anyone have any experience with this guy and his products? I know I could save some money building it myself, but his prices aren't insanely outrageous.

Here is the still I had in mind:

http://shop.rainierdistillers.com/image ... maller.jpg
http://shop.rainierdistillers.com/Coppe ... RD1013.htm

Thoughts?

thank you in advance!

[blind drunk]

Have you seen this -

http://www.amphora-society.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[bentwoodbrewing]

Have you seen this -

http://www.amphora-society.com/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Thanks for the link, blind drunk. Yeah, I'm somewhat familiar with them after reading the "Compleat Distiller". In fact, when I first ran across the Rainier Distillers online I thought it was the same folks since the design is so similiar, and they are both local.

I guess I should expand my inquiry and ask if anyone here has personal experience with either of the products? It seems like the best comparison between the two would be the Rainier Distillers "Alchemist" design, and Ampora's PDA-1.

Thanks!

[blind drunk]

Kifi, a member here, loves his PDA-1. He said it's his favorite machine, and he's tried a few. He's mentioned it in a couple posts. That's all I know.

[rad14701]

I am not at all familiar with either the company or that exact design... It does, however, look similar to the PDA series of reflux columns...

[bentwoodbrewing]

Thanks for your replies, all. I'll reach out to both Rainier and the Amphora guys and go from there.

[Stilly]

If you are near Seattle you can visit Bob's Homebrew shop and check out the PDA-1, he usually has one on display.

stilly

[bentwoodbrewing]

If you are near Seattle you can visit Bob's Homebrew shop and check out the PDA-1, he usually has one on display.

stilly

Great to know! Yes, I am in the area, but I frequent another homebrew shop so haven't yet been to Bobs. I'll go check it out.

Thanks again!

[Archibald]

They both look similar because they are both reflux towers- but they are very different. The Alchemist coil is double helix

Here are the two side by side.

The PDA by Amphora


The Alchemist by Rainier Distillers