1st pot still up & running

[circlehook]

I spent a lot of time rolling over in my head what exactly to build and how for my first still. I went with a basic pot and wanted to use as much materials I already had available. Had to buy the 16qt SS pot, the burner, the 10' of 1/2" for my worm, and a few small stuff. Spent about $95. I wrap teflon tape around the inside lip of the lid to form a seal with a little added weight by truck hitch balls. On top the lid is a SS dog bowl turned upside down for some head room and bolted to the lid with SS hardware. Made a gasket wrapped in teflon tape to seal. On top of that is a SS cocktail mixer turned upside down. I can pack this with scrubbers and it seperates easy for cleaning. Circulating water from my garden hose through the worm bucket controlled by a ball valve. First real run was nice. Worm did great, had a small steady stream most of the run. Product was pretty good. Im sticking with running some Gerber batches for now so I can learn more about tunning this thing. Loving this hobby!
Helpful notes:
- I got the SSpot from Sears online for $12
- I picked up free food grade 5gal buckets with lids from the deli/cake section in wal-mart and local grocery store.

[lownslow]

Sonnofabitch. I think I have the perfect plan for my first still and then this guy shows up, guns blazin and makes me think I should give up all together... So I'm about to pull the trigger on a 20 qt stock pot at the local kitchen supply store for $75. Now I'm pulling the E-brake on that program... so hows this $12 pot gonna hold up? I'm just concerned about the life of a $12 boiler, but I guess worst case scenario, I throw it out and buy a new one.

[Kiwikeg]

Nice work!! how did you join the copper pipe to the cocktail shaker?

[circlehook]

Im not sure how it will hold up. So far so good. I got it for $12 because I went to my local store and had them ship it to me for free.
I used a threaded 3/4" fitting to join the copper to the stainless. Got the hole snug and threaded the fitting on then put some solder around it.

[lownslow]

and how did you attach the cocktail shaker to the dog bowl? I think I'm going to bypass the dog bowl and go straight to the shaker.

[circlehook]

and how did you attach the cocktail shaker to the dog bowl? I think I'm going to bypass the dog bowl and go straight to the shaker.

1.5"hole saw, then soldered together. The cocktail mixer top part is tappered so it makes a nice snug fit.
The bowl makes it easy because you can cut a big hole in the lid rather than finding a good flat spot on the lid for the 2" hole. The lid had a handle and was not all the same contour.

[lownslow]

awesome. Nice work Doctor. How hard is it to solder stainless?

[circlehook]

This was the first time I ever tried soldering anything other than copper and found it to be a bit of a pain in the azz. But was able to get enough to stick for a seal. Welding would be the way to go I guess but I dont have that at my use.
Again, the fit between the bowl and shaker top was good and tight before soldering.

[muddy]

looks awesome

[circlehook]

Thanks. Ran two batches through it last weekend and was able to learn more about heat control. I ran it low and slow, and was able to get a better outcome. Ive noticed with this pot still to keep feeling the copper pipe between the column and worm. When it heats up and the pot starts boiling, I turn the heat down just a bit. It maintaned a small steady stream through the runs. I let the product air for a couple days and now its soaking in an apple pie recipe.