My First Still....So I went Big!!!!

[ProChargedHarley03]

I'm about three weeks out for my first test run!!! im going to use it as a pot still my first couple of runs!!! Then yes will pack the column with copper mesh!!! and see what this thing can do!!!

[ProChargedHarley03]

thanks eddieb for the help!!! im going to keep the cap!! i drilled a very large hole in it!!!! and i can see in very well. and yes on the valves, i made sure that they are flush in the end cap, so i can get rid of all the foreshot

[Stephen_Stills]

I built a very similar still but with a 2" column and 3" condenser. When I did stripping runs with it I was not knocking all the goodies down with the interiors coils, so I wrapped an outside coil like yours and it works like a champ. No taller than your condenser is I think you will be happy you have the outside coil. Very nicely built, BTW.

[ProChargedHarley03]

Thanks for the great info. stephen_stills im getting very excited to get this thing up and running!!!!

[ProChargedHarley03]

Ready to rock!!!!!

[junkyard dawg]

Why does the reflux return line go down so far. It should go back to the column as soon as possible after leaving the valve. This is a fairly important point... You need the reflux going back into the top of the column packing. Those few inches make a difference.

I use a dial thermometer on mine. If you mount it up in the fitting that connects the 'offset' tubes, you will be able to clean that section much easier. Unscrew the thermo and you can get a brush in there for scrubbing... You may find that that section gathers a lot of gunk.

Otherwise, nice work. Thats a beautiful still and will serve you well...

[ProChargedHarley03]

Thanks for the Info. Junkyard dawg!!!! well im going to be using this as a pot still most of the time!!!! once i get a few runs under my belt, then i will start playing with the reflux and packing the column.

[junkyard dawg]

I really like the condenser section. Thats beautiful work.

Keep the photos coming!

FWIW, I think this design is best when its run like a potstill.

more correctly,

run in a way that will maximize flavor. You can reflux at the beginning of a run, collecting very slowly at very high proof. Then collect the hearts with less to no reflux and at a lower proof. More reflux at the end keeps the tails at bay... It'll make some really clean high quality shine...

so whatcha gonna do for a fermenter?

[ProChargedHarley03]

30 gallon food grade plastic drum!!!!! i'm a big fan of "Jack D" so want to do somethink close!!!! sour mash

[ProChargedHarley03]

Just got my MK5500 From M.K. What a great guy!!! with a great product!!! Just got my plugs on the two ends of the MK5500. So its time to start getting my
SS 15.5 Gallon Keg cut and welded with my ferrule fittings and a little clean up on the keg!!! Im giving it a brushed look with a 80 grite sanding disc!!!

[ProChargedHarley03]

Getting ready to tig my 3" ferrule to the top of my keg and the 1 1/2 ferrule for my 5" thermometer and my heat element 2" ferrule on the back
i'm getting close....

[MuleKicker]

Just a little hint. If ya stuff some copper scrubber inside that condenser, it helps efficiency alot. Nice controller

[ProChargedHarley03]

Good to know MK!!!, thanks for the info!!!!

[ProChargedHarley03]

Getting real close now!!!!!!! I think a cleaning Run before the big game is going to work!!!!!

[ProChargedHarley03]

Well this morning was time to do my first cleaning run!!!!! this is how it went!!!!!
starting outside temp. 46 degree F
14 Gallons water/Vinagar mix, Starting temp. 42 degree F
My still, 40 Inches 3" copper column to off set 4" inch condenser, 3/8 reflux coil inside, 3/8 coil outside.
5500 watt element controlled by a MK5500, BY Mulekick great guy!!
Pluged in the MK5500 and pinned it at 25 Amps full power!
12:15---42 degree F
12:30---80
1:00----155
1:15----190
1:30----211.4 boiling
So i wanted to test the cooling system so i let the steam run out the top of the still for a good 30 min, then i turned on my
30 gallon reclaming pump it knocked the steam down in seconds!!! very happy , i still need to put some copper scrubbers
inside to help the cooling process, I am very happy with the run no leaks everything went smooth
So next weekend im going to do a cheap wine run!!

[ProChargedHarley03]

had to fix the pix!!!!!

[ProChargedHarley03]

So i ran some old wine and beer left over from a party for my first alcohol cleaning run!!!! i ran 15L of wine 9% ABV and about 15L of light beer 3.2% ABV i did add about 3 gallons of water to get the keg full. i only ran it for an hour and collected 600ML in 5 different kerr jars then shut her down!!! i marked all the jars 1-5 and let cool off. one by one i checked the ABV% and smell!!! i ended up with 45% in the first two jars but it dipped when i let the boiler get to hot to 35% but this was my first run and i am very happy
with the way it went.

[imakehooch]

Congrats on the first run!

[eddieb]

So i ran some old wine and beer left over from a party for my first alcohol cleaning run!!!! i ran 15L of wine 9% ABV and about 15L of light beer 3.2% ABV i did add about 3 gallons of water to get the keg full. i only ran it for an hour and collected 600ML in 5 different kerr jars then shut her down!!! i marked all the jars 1-5 and let cool off. one by one i checked the ABV% and smell!!! i ended up with 45% in the first two jars but it dipped when i let the boiler get to hot to 35% but this was my first run and i am very happy
with the way it went.

Congrats on the maiden run! Were you running without packing and no reflux? Also you should have got alot more than 600ml out of all that.

[emptyglass]

3 litres at about 40ish% isn't bad from some old wine and beer.

It will just get better.

[ProChargedHarley03]

eddieb I did!!! I ended up just under a gallon! I used 5 different jars filled them all up
To the 600ml level I was neat being Abel to smell the differences between
The first jar and the last;)

[ProChargedHarley03]

Well!!!! I think its time for my Parrot!!!!

[ProChargedHarley03]

So after thinking of all the different ways i could do this parrot!!! This was what i came up with What do you guys think?!?!?!
Oh!! and my fermentation stuff got here too!!!!

[Prairiepiss]

Cool looking parrot.

With all that copper coiled up below the liquid level of the parrot. It's going to take a lot of liquid to fill it up. Also mean longer transition times and smearing are possible.

You mite also want to add a vent to the feed tube of it. This will help to prevent surging in the part levels.

And don't forget a small piece of scrubby in the bottom of it. To cushion the hydrometer so it won't commit suicide when dropped in.

[GasLamp]

Thats a monster there... but looking good! Where did you buy the copper needle valves? I've been having trouble locating them?

[ProChargedHarley03]

Thanks for the Info. Prairiepiss Yes it take a bit to fill it up, and yes i do have the mesh in there, so my meter will be safe!!! so what will the vent hole do for me and where should i put it ?!?!

[Prairiepiss]

Parrots that don't have a vent at the inlet tend to have the liquid level bob up and down. Some more violent then others. It still make getting a good reading hard.

The vent should be placed close to the still connection. And depending on the setup it should go to above the liquid level feeding it. Or some stuff like that. You don't want the liquid coming out of it.

[ProChargedHarley03]

Sweet that what i was thinking!!! thanks for the good info.. Prairie

[ProChargedHarley03]

Gaslamp i got them at a true value hardware

[ProChargedHarley03]

Well its time to build a column support table!!!! Here are some pix!!! it went very well for a guy that is not a wood worker