Liebig vs worm Condenser?

[Moonshiner 67]

I am currently wanting to build a pot still for the production of whiskey. I am pretty sure I'm going to be using a half or full keg as my boiler to be heated on my gas stove and maybe eventually a propane burner. Right now I am stuck on whether to build a Liebig or worm condenser? What is the quality difference between the two? I would like to know pros and cons about both, other factors that affect quality such as length or angle, and any other input y'all have on the design of my still. Any answer will be very much appreciated for I am new to distilling and am very eager to begin the design process of building a larger, durable, high quality still. Also what all modifications will I have to make to the beer keg to covert it into a boiler?Right now I am running a small cheap rig of a still (picture in comment below.)

[Moonshiner 67]

This is my current still that I am working with. Now you see why I am Eager to upgrade

[Prairiepiss]

First your question has been discussed at length around here. So with a good search you would find this info.

Second a keg on your kitchen stove is a horrible idea. Even a pony keg. They make great boilers. But not on a kitchen stove. Turkey fryer yes.

[Mazriam]

I prefer liebig.

[Moonshiner 67]

I prefer liebig.

I believe this is the one I'm going to make

[Mazriam]

I believe this is the one I'm going to make

awesome!

[Moonshiner 67]

http://homedistiller.org/forum/download ... p?id=12153
Is there anyway I can make this more cost efficient? Right now I'm looking at over $150 in copper

[Prairiepiss]

Find better priced suppliers? Shop the scrap yard?

It's basically Samohon's pot still plans. It doesn't get much more basic then that.

[Mazriam]

copper is expensive no doubt about that.

some have good luck cruising the scrap yards. I once scored on a craigslist ad for copper.

the only thing i would change with the design you linked is, instead of the liebig coming off at a 45 degree angle...I'd have it come off at 90 degree angle, so that it was pointed straight down.

[shadylane]

Liebig vs worm Condenser?

Liebig
If you have water on tap and it's cheap this might be best. Be careful if you have a well. Your pump might no like cycling on and off constantly. It takes less copper to make a Liebig. But more water flow.

Worm
If you have to carry water to the condenser in a bucket. This is your best option. If your flack stand is metal it will dissipate some of the heat. And need less cooling water.

There a calculator on the parent site that will give you an Idea what is needed. There's also a shit load of other information.
Welcome aboard.

[NineInchNails]

Below is how I made my Liebig.


I changed the water inlet/outlet fittings over to male fittings rather than female. Other than that it's exactly as drawn. I bought 5' lengths of copper so I figured I'd just keep it that long. It's easy enough to shorten it if I ever feel the need, but so far I've felt no need.

A lot of people, if not most people, recirculate water from a reservoir, through their liebig and back to the reservoir. If you use a small reservoir the water will heat up relatively fast and need cooling down which is why many use a cooling system like a radiator & fan inline. Some just use a larger reservoir so it will take significantly longer for the water to heat up. There's a lot of topics here showing how people recirculate their water. If you will be pumping water then you'll want a pump that is designed for continuous use and ideally for hot water (unless you control the temp).

A propane burner is ideal. I say get yourself a 15.5 gal stainless steel keg. Sure you could get a half keg, but you'll probably upgrade to a full size later down the road anyway. I found 15.5 gal kegs easily on eBay, but finding a 1/2 keg was difficult and took MUCH longer before I acquired one. I liked the thought of doing stripping runs in a 15.5 gal keg and spirit runs with the smaller one. Most people have no problem doing both runs using a full size keg though. I'm a collector so I had to have both

[Moonshiner 67]

Thank you everybody for your reponses for they have been very helpful. I have decided to go with Liebig condenser. Right now I am in an apartment so I think I'm going to get a pony keg and install an internal heating unit to make it electric. I will upgrade to the full keg with propane burner when I have a good place to distill outside

[Truckinbutch]

I built my Liebig 1/2" inside 1" . Spiral wrapped the 1/2" vapor tube with 4 ga solid copper to enhance water circulation . Hammered a length of the same solid wire to a thickness that would fit inside the 1/2" vapor tube and gave it a gradual twist for vapor turbulence and enhanced copper contact . Cold water in the bottom and hot water out the top , inlet valve regulated flow . Water jacket is a bit over 4' long . I try to hold water output to 90-100 degrees for normal running with a pencil lead stream .
Experimenting , I have never been able to over run this condenser with a 60,000 btu burner under a 15.5 gal boiler at max heat by regulating water flow . Only loss I suffered running wide open was in product quality from running too hot and the smearing from too fast of a takeoff .

[CornMealKid]

Does the Liebig give a purer product as far as fusels go? Or is it simply the same as a worm bucket but compact to provide more space around the stillin' area?

[DAD300]

Pics below are a keg spear with a 1/2" SS flex up the center...there is a build post here on HD.

SS or copper couldn't be easier...

1/2" pvc water line and hose clamps to complete.

Will easily handle 4,500 watts at 1 liter per min of water flow.

No product condenser should change product quality, but leibig can handle more vapor with less water flow.

[cranky]

Does the Liebig give a purer product as far as fusels go? Or is it simply the same as a worm bucket but compact to provide more space around the stillin' area?

I don't think there is any difference in end product but one of the biggies with me is that I can clean a liebig with a gun cleaning kit should the need arise and then look down it to make sure it's clean and not clogged and it is much easier to store and more discreet than a worm. Nothing shouts moonshine to the common person like a worm but a piece of pipe is just a piece of pipe.

[kaziel]

Pics below are a keg spear with a 1/2" SS flex up the center...there is a build post here on HD.

Could you by any chance show me that thread/post?