Column for a keg build

[Northern Exposure]

I just want to apologize a head of time, I'm new and all of these questions are available. I'm just getting confused with all of the different designs and what not.

I've bought two kegs from a local brewery and I want to build a column for it. After looking at all of the designs I'm getting confused on which set up I should go with. I've seen the ones where there's two plates down near the bottom where it pools up and drips out of the bottom plate. It has a coil inside of the top of the column which pumps cold water through.
I always thought the coil was external and sat inside a separate container with cold ice water? I'm assuming these are two separate ways of doing it, if so which one would be better for my keg set up?

[WERAT]

You are describing a BOKA column. The top condenser is for allowing your column to reflux and the external condenser is for cooling your product during take off. A BOKA normally has both.

Sounds like you need to do some more research on types of stills / columns.

[bellybuster]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewforum.php?f=60

[Northern Exposure]

So typically the column is 48-60" Out of 2" pipe. From what I've been reading the reflux condenser is typically 10" long and wound up out of 3/8". .5 - 1" from the bottom of the condenser is the first plate and another inch spaced is the other plate where it pools. Then drains out. Below the drain is packed with copper mesh down to the keg?

Bellybuster. I've spent a couple days reading everything. I don't know if I'm just getting an over load of info and getting confused. I'm sorry if I'm asking general questions that are always answered. I'm more of a hands on type of person

[Prairiepiss]

A couple days is not even close to enough time researching this subject.

You haven't even said what kind of spirit you want to make with this still?

[S-Cackalacky]

Take a little more time reading and researching before proceeding with your build. I woud suggest starting with the "Parent Site". It will give you a good overview of the different types of stills. There is also what we all consider required reading - the "New Distiller's Reading Lounge" and "The Rules We Live By". There are also sections specific to still designs that will be of help. The amount of information may seem overwhelming at first, but things will eventually become clearer. Just remember, there's always something knew to learn.

Just a note - there are two basic types of stills - pot stills and reflux stills. If you are looking for flavored spirits (whiskey, rum, brandy, etc.), you would probably want to think about starting with a pot still. If you prefer neutral spirits (vodka), a reflux still would be the better choice. If you like both, then a reflux still that can be detuned and used as either a reflux or pot still.

Good luck and stay safe,
S-C

[Northern Exposure]

I've only been searching on this particular site fora couple days. But I've been researching for a few months. Which I'm sure is still not long enough but that's why I'm here. To ask questions and better understand everything. I have a stove top set up that I've ran about a dozen runs through with a basic corn mash. I'd like to start making some fruit spirits

[Northern Exposure]

Thanks S-Cackalacky. I would like to have the option to do both. Which is the parent site? I've read over the must read threads and ill read up on the parent site. I'm not going to stop trying to learn or have you guys doall the leg work for me. I just wanted to upgrade from the pot that I have now. I've got a hold of two kegs and I guess I'm getting a little antsy to build one with one of the kegs. As I read over through all of these threads and see these beautiful set ups. It's hard not want get started on one of my own.

[Prairiepiss]

What do you mean by fruit spirits? Are you wanting to ferment fruit to get a brandy type product? Or are you wanting to make a neutral and use it for maceration of fruit?

[S-Cackalacky]

Thanks S-Cackalacky. I would like to have the option to do both. Which is the parent site? I've read over the must read threads and ill read up on the parent site. I'm not going to stop trying to learn or have you guys doall the leg work for me. I just wanted to upgrade from the pot that I have now. I've got a hold of two kegs and I guess I'm getting a little antsy to build one with one of the kegs. As I read over through all of these threads and see these beautiful set ups. It's hard not want get started on one of my own.

There's a link for it at the top of this page, or here - http://homedistiller.org/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow .

You can also build two separate heads for your keg - one for a pot still and one for a reflux still. Lots of options as to how you approach things.

S-C

[Bushman]

Thanks S-Cackalacky. I would like to have the option to do both. Which is the parent site? I've read over the must read threads and ill read up on the parent site. I'm not going to stop trying to learn or have you guys doall the leg work for me. I just wanted to upgrade from the pot that I have now. I've got a hold of two kegs and I guess I'm getting a little antsy to build one with one of the kegs. As I read over through all of these threads and see these beautiful set ups. It's hard not want get started on one of my own.

The material on the forum is more up to date than that on the parent site. You are going to get a lot better information here than out on the net somewhere else. I say that as there is some good info out there but also a lot of really bad info as well. We have very experienced members that have refined and also been on the cutting edge of homedistilling. Another location for designs can be found on the link below.
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =1&t=19711