mile hi flute vs hillbilly flute?

[austontatious]

im about to buy a flute, does anyone have first hand experience with both? i was all set on hillbilly stills, but the manufacturing time is pushing 6 months and im not that patient.
is either one appreciably better than the other, or is it pretty much just personal preference?
is there a 3rd option that anyone could point me to, even just for comparison purposes?
ps-before i get flamed, i know there was a similar thread on here somewhere, but at the time it didnt go anywhere. im hoping someone on here will have some more experience by now.

[drinkingdog]

I think they are both about the same. They both will sent your name and address to the fine people at the TTB. Hopefully you will being going ligit

[emptyglass]

Bit of a fan of copper myself, but each to their own. Plenty of stainless stills around though.

[Tater]

I have split off topic posting in this thread my last time anyone else takes it off will spend time in read only group.

[Halfbaked]

Id do a stainless modular unit. I don't have one and don't plan to buy one any time in the future but would love to have one. I like the idea of making it what you want. Put 4 Tees on for whiskey and brandy or 6 or 8 for more of a neutral then put the entire thing in the dish washer when you are done. Well most of it. Just my opinion. My dad used to say an opinion is like an A--hole, every one has one.

[jmichel70]

I purchased a mile hi flute about a month ago and love the build. This thing is like a tank. Heavy duty. I added the extra columb section and filled it with copper packing and it works great. Easy to take appart and clean. Be warned though, the thing weighs 45+ pounds, so your boiler needs to be stable. I use a beer keg with no problems.

[Hatter]

I ordered a HB Flute on Jan 23 received it on June 13 almost exactly 20 weeks! LONG wait but I couldn't be happier. They forgot to include a 4x2 reducer but I had it 3 days later and I don't live in the USA, great customer service!

I got a six plate version running off a keg boiler on electricity.

I have run about 5 batches of BW and one batch of Cornflake whiskey. Very happy with the results of them so far.

The speed of a run now is 4 hours or less which is awesome. Product always come off at 90%+.

Show Spoiler

I have a video of the sight glasses during a run if any one is interested.

[Big Bert]

Well guys I got my HB today will do the run off this weekend,will make all comments about it after I have run it.will run it on a 26gal pot on propane or to be fair I should run it with my manifold and two kegs the way I run my MH.

BB

[drinkingdog]

I would try to duplicate every variable that you can so as to produce an accurate comparison between the two stills. I can't wait for the results. Let the games begin.

[Big Bert]

I sure do hate to say this,but it will be yet one more week before the run off, there was some shipping damage to my HB unit,it got bang up a bit . I thought I could live with it but durning a cleaning run a crack in the column showed up ,this is by no way HBs fault ,talked to Mike(KS) about it and he is sending me a new column today for free.
We will get this done sooner or later.
Sorry guys I know you are waiting and it's driving me crazy,but shit happens and we have to live with it.

BB

[woodshed]

My first reflux was a Hillbilly flute. Great service, great product. Mike and the crew have always been top notch. Looking at a custom build from them. Can't say about Mile Hi as I have had no dealings with them. Went with copper as I prefer it.

[Hatter]

I don't own the MH Flute. After watching video's of it during a run I much prefer the plumbing of the HB Flute.

If I am not mistaken the MH Flute is just a Still Dragon flute with sieve plates instead of bubble caps?

[emptyglass]

KS's flute is a truer replica of a flute than MH, imo. Lots of guys have stainless stills, so they must be ok...

Glad its finaly game on Big bert. Long time in the making. And there is still more waiting I guess.

[FullySilenced]

And No the MileHigh is not just a StillDragon column with plates....

[Big Bert]

Yes Empty still waiting for new column ,it was shipped on Friday so I should have it for this coming weekend if all goes well, next I will get one of yours.




I spend most of my money on Trucks and Stills the rest I just piss away

[Big Bert]

Sorry. The new HB column didn't get here yet ( dam slow truckers) .. Next weekend, hope hope hope

BB

[Big Bert]

Ok guys here we go, two flutes, two kegs, same wash,and it rained,both kegs running on propane, first off got them both up to 80c at about the same time and ran them slow, both but out two lts per hour, then i turned up the heat with the kegs at 92c and head temp at 84c they both put out a lt every 15 min. the running is about the same,although I like to run my cooling to the deflag and pc independed of each other the HB worked ok , one could run them the same if you changed a couple fittings. performance wise they are very close, but with the one piece you get what you get, the benifits of the MH modular is u can change it to what you want.[one to six] plates where as the HB u get six, you can add more but you can,t take away. they both put out 170 proof. As far as who makes the nicest ,well that depends on if you like copper or stainless, the workmanship is better on the MH [MADE IN CHINA ] than the made in USA HB,now that will piss a a lot of folks off but it is what it is.Taste well, I will give the HB that one by a few points. IF I was to buy?? hell I own two HBs and one MH with a ton of extra pieces that I put together diff each run, I would and I am buying one of EGs flutes,you get copper ,you get modular, you get workmanship...so in the long run I WOULD PUT MY MONEY ON THE MH..over the HB , sorry about that KS but it is only my opinion and I am sticking to it...

BB

[Mazriam]

I'll be ordering the MH flute here soon. I like the fact that it's modular. I can add plates, remove plates, add a gin basket, it's very very versatile.

[cotton mouth Samson]

Has anyone looked into schnapps stills they offer a couple different flute designs

[YukonJack]

I bought one from Schnapp Stills before he had a web site up. The owner is/was amember of this board, yet I haven't seen him post in a good bit. Anyhow, I didnt get a flute. I have a 3" lm/vm column and am very satisfied with his work. Clean, good welds. No issues what so ever. I customized mine and made some changes as we went and he was very accomodating.

YJ

[woodshed]

As stated earlier I am happy with my HB flute and was considering a custom build from them.
The crew there has always been helpful but some very negative business practices of theirs have recently been brought to my attention and they will no longer be receiving any of my money.

[demodenny]

Mile High now makes a flute with copper sections, costs a little more but its a beauty.

[Big Bert]

I own one MH ,two hillbillys and one of EG's flutes ,if I was to buy another one(the wife would shot me) it would be EG's

[Clearwater]

Not taking sides, as I don't have a flute either way, but rather just posting what I just came across.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwNMVlzs98s

[Big Bert]

Just watched MH Mikes video ,a little tacky but he is right, his is twice the still .
BB

[slow trickle]

How much in total did it cost you to get the EG flute across the pond if you don't mind me asking?

[Big Bert]

Hi Slow trickle. It cost around $300 air fright by post and insurance
BB

[Stainless dude]

Empty builds great stuff Bert, can't beat his quality..

[Big Bert]

Hey demodenny ,yes MH makes a very nice copper flute, Mike was nice enough to sent me a section , works and looks good it is what I made my flavour cage out of, and stainless dude I agree EG's work is the best,when it comes to pure copper he can't be beat
BB

[wv_cooker]

Empty's copper work does verge on being pure artwork. His stills and products will soon be readily available here in the states. Anyone with interest can check them out at http://www.customdistillers.com" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow