Chinese made stills

[Grey Kiwi]

Please don't beat me up too much guys, but I found this site and was wondering how good the products might be (performance wise).

http://www.aliexpress.com/item/water-Bo ... 84140.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

I'm into rum and whiskey, so I don't want a reflux still really.
The price seems fine. I have checked some US sites to just buy a pot still head to use with my SS 35l keg.
However the Chinese items seem to have a lot more for the price (well, I'm onto a pension soon so every $$ helps).
Does the design of the Chinese stills look OK, or are they likely to not perform well?

Thanks for your thoughts/comments.
Regards to all.

[bearriver]

Edited: It looks like a decent still. I like the false bottom.

[S-Cackalacky]

The design looks a little sketchy. The biggest problem I see is that horizontal liebig condenser. It will cause pooling and smearing of your product. The liebig/worm combination is just weird. Looks well made though. I like that it's assembled with tri-clamps. As it is, it would have to be heated on the stove top or with propane. I think I would keep looking.

[Halfbaked]

You can have better for less. If something is wrong with it what would you do? Make it your self or buy pieces.

[googe]

Someone asked about one of these ages ago, by the look of it the arm is the reflux condenser feeding into a worm. Like most things from China, there mass produced from shit materials. Id bet the stainless is very thin walled. can you not build your own mate?.

[NZChris]

Ain't much copper in it. You'll have to find somewhere to put it yourself.... or do without.

Stovetop, or gas, what will you be using?

Quite small.

Expect to pay import duty.

[Grey Kiwi]

Thanks guys.
I'm 'still' looking.
Yes, the Chinese made may be a bit weak and dodgy.
Just checking out a Turbo 500, and a couple of US made columns, and complete units.
I could make my own as I have a new 35l SS keg on hand.
Would prefer SS column, not copper and as my welding years are long gone (fuzzy sight), I won't be making my own column.
I could silver solder a copper column no sweat, but have a problem with that.
I regularly deliver to wineries/breweries and from what I see there SS construction attracts me more (I know, I know copper just 'looks' the bee's knees. There is nothing so fine as copper porn!).
Will decide in a couple of days (67th Birthday tomorrow, so who knows what the missus might let me do!).

[NZChris]

A pot still doesn't need a column. Columns are often used to get some height for ease of filling jars when the jars are at the same height as the still. Mine don't have them as the stills are mounted high enough that getting jars under the condenser outlet isn't a problem.

Copper isn't used because it looks nice. It has a purpose.

[NZChris]

BTW, a 25l fermenter is a very good size for charging a 35l pot still.

[Grey Kiwi]

Hi NZChris.
Yep, realise about the copper.
Just the notion that SS is more 'sanitary'.
Having a wee look at the bokabob plans at the moment.
Now that is something that even my dodgy bits can handle making.
I'm hoping that the resultant spirits will instantly cure arthritis, fading eyesight, hearing loss, creaky neck, and all other variables forced on me as I get older.
Thanks for all the input guys.
Much appreciated.

[thatguy1313]

Hey Grey Kiwi,
Have you checked out DAD300's condenser controlled VM still? You can put the whole thing together with triclamps, no need for any welding. And you can pull out the condenser and slip a cap on top and run it as a potstill.

[NZChris]

Just the notion that SS is more 'sanitary'.

It will be having hot, high proof, alcohol going through it. Forget your mental images of modern kiwi beer factories and wineries, they are not making spirits.

Something else, you should consider... Rum and whiskey really need two passes through a pot still, so it is an advantage to be able to ferment three or four times the amount it takes to charge your still. With a 35l still, one large ferment giving three or four stripping runs then a spirit run should make you a decent quantity to help you forget about your aches and pains.

[Halfbaked]

You can buy stainless sanitary spools of the net or ebay and but anything together you want. You might want to go from 2 inch to threads for the condenser. I hate to say it but it is much easier than copper and you can take it apart and throw it in the dish washer (except the condenser). You can use DAD300's method for a reflux condenser or just a plain condenser. Cheap, easy and fun so I have been told.

[bearriver]

If your not sure how to get a still built just ask. Everyone has different skills and tools that end up governing how the still will be built. One guy might press fit ferrules, another will silver solder stainless, and someone else will tig weld copper. It all depends on who is doing the building.

There are countless tips and tricks for assembling anything related to this hobby.

[Kiwikeg]

Hi greykiwi,
I have seen one of these chinese stills in the flesh. They arent great but they do pop up on trademe every so often and i think if you got into this Hobby long term you would find that still rather limiting as you develope your skills as a distiller.
Copperhead stills are a nz built alternative thats a great value still.
Ferromit stills are another excellent choice for similer money.
Euro 30 stills by spirits unlimited (another kiwi made still) also come up for sale second hand on trademe at affordable prices too.
Remember if buying from overseas customs will charge you gst and import duty. But they usually wont collect the duty if the amount payable is less than $60 nzd

[Grey Kiwi]

Thanks Kiwikeg.
Thanks to all others for your input too.
So, I have talked to a local welder who is happy to weld a stainless column up for me, and it won't cost the earth!
I'm thinking of having him make a pot still head, and a bokabob column (maybe) so that I can just use the same boiler and switch heads around as the fancy takes me.
That's not being too silly is it?
My local plumbers haven't used copper for years, but I can get a 6 metre length from a wholesaler. It will cost an arm, a leg, and my left kidney though!
Which makes the stainless steel option the easy choice.
Have yet to check out DAD300's condenser controlled VM still, so that will be a plan later (just back from a 2 day delivery down South, so heading to bed soon as another delivery tomorrow (3am start).
Cheers guys.

[NZChris]

I recently called in to three scrappies and they all had suitable copper for a column. Have a Google around for images of stills that make your favorite whiskeys and rums that you would really like to be able to make yourself and see how many of them use SS in the vapour path.

[waxernz]

If your patient on trademe you can find good deals to get you up and running. I got an insulated 50L keg with tap and blown element for $50nz. Got an element for $60. Then got a black painted but working column for another $50 Had a 3" over 2" reflux section where he packed the entire column and liebig condenser.
Far less than the cost of the copper. Plus Ill turn the 2" into a shotgun for my plated still later. probably reuse the liebig on a small copper water cylinder I bought. I got both my water cylinders cheap and working. Copper ones with working go for 40-60 for 25-45L if you keep an eye on there. Took me about a month to get mine and searching though.

Even after building power controller Im still less than that Chinese unit and upgradable. Not so pretty but it does the job for now.

[castiron]

Hey m8, I own a Chinese 5 gallon with the reflux, got it for a song on Ebay, and I love it! It is simple to use for the novice, especially well suited for someone who does not have the ability or the tools to weld/solder. It is ready to go as soon as you get it un-boxed!! I have ran several batches with mine, and I do not have any complaints, for what it is, but keep in mind, that there is a reason good whiskey is distilled in copper!! I also am currently making a 7.5 gallon copper still from an old prohibition era still. Took it all apart, cleaned and re-soldered all joints with silver solder, thereby eliminating ANY chance of lead being in the boiler from the previous build back in the 20's. Plus, I am making some much needed modifications...lol Will post pics in another topic.. Thanks for sharing, and have a blessed day!!

[youngonce]

If you want copper in your still can you not just throw some copper pipe into the still during distillation and call it a day?

[rad14701]

If you want copper in your still can you not just throw some copper pipe into the still during distillation and call it a day?

The copper needs to be in the vapor path and is not nearly as effective in the boiler charge... Even a copper boiler doesn't help other than copper above the liquid line where vapor can contact the copper, which is why stainless steel boilers are such a suitable and less expensive option... Copper bits in the boiler merely serve as boiling chips, unless using an internal electric element where they are worthless...

[youngonce]

Thanks for the clarification. So I guess a copper worm would do the trick? But I suppose the more copper the better. My boiler is stainless but my collector on top is copper - it is so caked with grain and stuff/gunk that I don't think any vapor even touches the copper anymore. But my worm is pretty clean and copper..

[rad14701]

Sounds like it's time to clean your still so the copper can do its job...

[heartcut]

Rad's right, the copper should be in the ascending vapor path. In the worm the sulphur compounds that form will wash into your collection container.
I have some Chinese pieces and quite a few triclamps in my stills and have had pretty good luck with them. Might want to stick to Chinese stuff that has a local distributor in case luck runs out.

[youngonce]

Gotcha Rad.. clean still.. FWIW I do not think the big guys with their stills spend anytime cleaning them out though, I think theirs are also caked with stuff. I don't think anyone goes into those big stills with a power washer and hoses them down - that's why I do not feel the need to clean mine.. I don't know about all this copper talk..

[LWTCS]

Gotcha Rad.. clean still.. FWIW I do not think the big guys with their stills spend anytime cleaning them out though, I think theirs are also caked with stuff. I don't think anyone goes into those big stills with a power washer and hoses them down - that's why I do not feel the need to clean mine.. I don't know about all this copper talk..

I would say that is a completely incorrect assertion.

[rad14701]

Commercial distilleries keep their equipment squeaky clean... All I do is rinse with hot water but it's plenty clean... Never any buildup at all...