Pot to pot still conversion?

[1327539551]

One of my pots just had the handle break off the center of the lid. I'm wondering if I can turn it into a quick and easy (and very small) pot still.

It's a 5qt metal pot (best I can tell), with a food grade (obviously) teflon lining and a glass lid. The lid has a 5/32" hole in the center from where the handle used to be mounted. I'm thinking I can just drop some 1/4" copper tubing down that hole and seal it, bring the tubing up and into a coil to condense. I figure I'd seal the lid and the tubing with either PTFE tape or flour dough.

I'm sure I won't get great results from this, but I think I can pull it off for about $20 (flexible 1/4" copper tubing, plus however I do the condenser). I think it might just be an interesting starter project before I build a real still.

Does this sound feasible? If so, what's the recommended condenser? I'm leaning to worm bucket, but open to suggestions.

[Bayou-Ruler]

One of my pots just had the handle break off the center of the lid. I'm wondering if I can turn it into a quick and easy (and very small) pot still.

It's a 5qt metal pot (best I can tell), with a food grade (obviously) teflon lining and a glass lid. The lid has a 5/32" hole in the center from where the handle used to be mounted. I'm thinking I can just drop some 1/4" copper tubing down that hole and seal it, bring the tubing up and into a coil to condense. I figure I'd seal the lid and the tubing with either PTFE tape or flour dough.

I'm sure I won't get great results from this, but I think I can pull it off for about $20 (flexible 1/4" copper tubing, plus however I do the condenser). I think it might just be an interesting starter project before I build a real still.

Does this sound feasible? If so, what's the recommended condenser? I'm leaning to worm bucket, but open to suggestions.

NO

[1327539551]

I'm now confused - when reading through the forums, it was repeated over and over that PTFE (Teflon) is the only safe plastic - why is it safe for seals and gaskets and not the boiler?

[Bayou-Ruler]

I'm now confused - when reading through the forums, it was repeated over and over that PTFE (Teflon) is the only safe plastic - why is it safe for seals and gaskets and not the boiler?

Glass is no good. Yes I'm aware of the consensus on PTFE gaskets. I don't believe its feasible to use a boiler coated with PTFE. Others may offer a different view, but that's my position.

[forrestgump]

I'm now confused - when reading through the forums, it was repeated over and over that PTFE (Teflon) is the only safe plastic - why is it safe for seals and gaskets and not the boiler?

Glass is no good. Yes I'm aware of the consensus on PTFE gaskets. I don't believe its feasible to use a boiler coated with PTFE. Others may offer a different view, but that's my position.

I don't see why the glass lid should be no good. After all, on the parent site it pictures an all glass pot being used as a flavor still.

As for the Teflon coating in the pot. I am personally wary of Teflon coated kitchen equipment and it has all been banned from our house for many years. A properly seasoned cast iron pan provides a better non-stick surface anyway - but I digress.

[Prairiepiss]

Teflon coated pans are not good to cook food with in my opinion. So I wouldn't use it in a still. By the way that pan coating is differentr then the PTFE used for sealing purposes around here.

Just my 2 nickels

[dakotasnake]

i agree, we did away with all teflon coated pans around here, it peels off eventually and i dont want it in my food or drink. btw sooner or later you will not be happy with a 5 qt. pan anyway, its far to small for making cuts ect. go as large as you got room for, 5 gallons is a nice size to learn on, better yet get an 8 or 15.5 beer keg.