correct size condenser arm

[whiskeytripping]

Hello to all, I just wanted to see if anyone knows the correct size condenser arm I should have for my still. I built a tilt reflux still with a 1" column on it, came off from there with 3/4" to the thumper jar, came in and out of the thumper with 1/2". so my condenser arm is 25" long of 1/2" copper with a 1" water jacket around it. I havent fired it up yet because im waiting on a few other parts to come in. My buddy said that the 1" jacket wouldnt be enough probably, and that his was 2". I couldnt find the 2" available (easily). Does anyone think this will work? or am i gonna have to redo my condenser arm? I cannot wait to fire it up and this is worrying me already after hearing this. Any feed back would be appreciated. Thanks guys

[Samohon]

Your condenser should be fine... ½" inside a 1" WJ @ 25" in length should be plenty...
If you do get any huffing/puffing then stick a little Stainless or Copper scrubber in side your ½" pipe to turbulate the vapors... Just a little mind...

Welcome to HD...

[Pop Skull]

Tilt Reflux?

Sounds like one of the still drinkin models. Is that the one with the glass jars as thumpers?

[Braz]

Pay no attention to your buddy. Most Liebig condensers on this site are 3/4" jacket over 1/2" pipe. That is what I have, 22"long, and it handles the output from my 2" pot still just fine.

Edit to add: And, I don't get the theory of having a thumper on a reflux still.

[whiskeytripping]

Im happy to hear that. I did find that on still drinking website. the python model, my buddys is one model smaller and it makes a nice tasting brew. so i decided to make one just a little bigger, (i couldnt have him having a bigger one than mine) I feel better knowing it should work, thanks

[Bayou-Ruler]

welcome to HD

[Prairiepiss]

You are modeling your build after a known unsafe premade still. Turbo stomper junk. Please review these threads to find out why. And please reconsider making it. You would be better off stopping right now and researching what a safe still is. And building it right from the start.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... &start=525
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 32&t=17861
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=26631

[whiskeytripping]

I was going to build a internal reflux column still origionally, but i was told it was more harsh. Im going to have to stick with what I have for now, due to money i already spent. Is the internal reflux column still better? and also, would i be better off removing the jar and hardpiping directly to the condenser arm? I built it totally myself and did not buy it from still drinking, i just copied it from them and made it a little better. Im already in this one and going to have to keep it awhile. What ever one I get I will be building myself. thanks

[Prairiepiss]

Yes leave the jar out. It's just a simple pot still. Or make a correct sized thumper out of copper or stainless. 1/2 the size of the boiler or larger would be best.. And make sure you don't have any synthetic materials in it. Other then maybe PTFE teflon.

[whiskeytripping]

Thanks for the info. If I was to build another still eventually which design would you recommend?

[rad14701]

Thanks for the info. If I was to build another still eventually which design would you recommend?

Welcome aboard, whiskeytripping...

Sounds to me like it's time you spend some time researching here in these forums now that you've found your way here... We can't spoon feed you and every other new member in question and answer fashion so you might as well get used to doing independent research... Not being critical, just being honest... This is a very busy site as you will learn...

You've been told that your design is inferior from the get go so stop building, start learning, and make some much needed changes to it... The information is here if you look hard enough... And you never know what else you might learn - like answers to questions you don't even know you have yet...

Good luck, stay safe, and slow down...

[OlympicMtDoo]

+1 with PP and rad, just look at some simple pot still designs, it'll be cheaper and easier than what you are trying to build now, not to mention safer and better. All the info is here just look. Welcome to HD have fun but stay safe.

[whiskeytripping]

Thanks for the help. I've already finished this still. Wish I would have found this site and researched before I took advise from my friend. I'm sure I will build a boka for my next project when I have more money. I'm gonna follow the advise of prariepiss though and just cut the thumper jar assembly off and mount directly to my tilt column for now. I agree the jar probably isnt the safest thing. Since I'm not going to have the thumper jar now, do I need to stuff the column with copper scrub pads? Or will it do just fine as a tilt pot still with no thumper jar assembly? Thanks

[Prairiepiss]

Scrubbys won't do much. Best thing to do will be a stripping run followed by a spirit run.

[whiskeytripping]

Thanks prarie, I guess the second run being more pure produces much quicker

[Prairiepiss]

Thanks prarie, I guess the second run being more pure produces much quicker

You got it. And a third run will clean it up even more. If you find a need for it. Different people different recipes you will just need to figure out what works best for you. I run this recipe twice that recipe once. And the recipe I'm working on now. I'm still trying to find the best way.

Now have you gotten the rest of your details worked out? I know you were asking about the condenser?

And here are some very good threads you should read. If you haven't already.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=13294
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=13261
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=16635

[whiskeytripping]

I just wanted to show you what im gonna be working with. I made sure the jar came off. This should still make a decent pot still shouldnt it? At least till i get something better down the road, its column is a 1". I will definately be making a Boka down the road. thanks for checkin it out

[rad14701]

whiskeytripping, what you have pictured there doesn't look bad but could be simplified even further for a functional still... The angled portion does nothing other than raise the output of the liebig to a specific level... For a small pot still like this one you could just as easily have just enough vertical column and two 90's to allow for the liebig to be adjusted to the take off height... Beyond that the pot column on a small rig does little other than to increase the downward slope of the liebig which will serve to increase the contact time that the condensed spirits have for cooling purposes...

However, all that being said, the liebig itself look plenty long enough to do its intended job adequately just as long as you regulate the heat input to the boiler...

[Prairiepiss]

Looking good. Should serve you well. Now get the cleaning runs done. And make some good likker with it already.

[whiskeytripping]

Thanks guys, Im still reading up on the links ya'll sent, I still have lots to learn. Thanks again for all the help