brand new distiller

[elbo92]

I am brand new to distilling and I am having a hard time finding a clear design on how to build my own still. I want to use a beer keg can anyone help me out an how to construct one? From what I have read a reflux is probably the way to go. thank you.

[condo33]

Folks will want to know what you want to make: Whiskey, rum, or Brandy. Maybe you want a vodka, gin, neutral? So give the group an idea on what you want to end up with, and they will suggest the best still for that purpose. But all this info is in the New Distiller's section that is a must read, several times. You can find plans for making both a Pot Still as well as a great reflux still in this same area. I've seen guys with their first post thanking the folks who contribute info here. They were able to successfully produce tasty whiskey without one question. Built their still, made their wash, distilled and cut/blended. Start to finish. That proves all info is here. Not that folks won't happily help you when you get stuck on something, they are most happy to do so to help you succeed, and be a safe and happy distiller. Use the HD Google search with your question. It will produce many threads on the subject in question. Best of luck friend. Take your time and study hard. It's all good!!

[elbo92]

ok, Ill look a little deeper in that section. I'm probably goin to start out with wisky first. I want to make high proofs. and thanks for the info I will definitely read alot more.

[Bardstown Road]

i am pretty new here and found the pot still to be the easiest for a newbie. here is a link to my findings.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =1&t=34143

[Bardstown Road]

here is what i went with

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 50&t=34722

[elbo92]

hey bardstown road, thank you very much. That gave me an actual starting point. did you construct it by yourself? this will be my first still as well as my first time soldering and working with copper piping. Any tips you could share to make my first time go a little smoother?

[Bardstown Road]

For the most part I did construct it myself. I did not do the soldering. My friend is a plumber and he did that. If you know someone that is a plumber, that you can trust, I highly recommend you have them do it for you. It didn't take but thirty minutes to solder everything together. Also, the plumber can get you large copper pipe cheaper than you can. Since you have no experience in soldering, I don't recommend you learn on this. If you have a leak, you can start a fire. For the price of the copper alone on my still I could have purchased this stainless steel one http://www.milehidistilling.com/product ... tower.html.
So if no plumber friend, just purchase online. The build was fun but I know if I did it myself, soldering that is, I would have had much frustration and probably failure. My ultimate goal of this was to make my own shine.

[condo33]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 60&t=13262
This is a good thread if you've never solder before. I didn't have any experience with soldering when I built my Samohon potstill and it came out purty good. Not perfect with a solder drip here and there, but I was proud of it. I used the easy flange, and forever gasket threads too and saved quite a bit of money with that as well. It was fun!

[elbo92]

thanks guys yall have been extremly helpfull. i have one more question though. could you give me exactly what im gunna need as far as copper goes. it would simplify this my research so much. thank you.

[condo33]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/download ... p?id=12153
I saw where you wanted to make whiskey, So here is what I built for that same purpose: The Samohon pot still is for making whiskey, rum, and brandies. If you want a reflux still, there are more of those plans in the new distillers reading lounge too. You need to study in there for a while. The dimentions in this file are in millimeters, so you will need to convert (25mm/inch approx.) But it will list all parts and size copper fittings you will need.

[elbo92]

condo thanks brother thats what i have been looking for. i have found plans but none that show exactly what i need, like this does.