Different gin basket.

[Digital_Plasma]

After a long hiatus, I'm starting up again. I'm building a modular 2" still. The modular pot still head is almost finished, and I'm planning a ccvm still head. But before I get to that I've tried to construct a gin basket for vapor infused spirits. This my take on it. Think it'll work?

The filter is a bazooka filter measuring 9x1 inches. The fitting thread size is 1/2".

[Digital_Plasma]

A couple of more shots.

[Bushman]

Nice pictures, can't wait to see how it performs. I can't tell with the construction but will all the vapors pass through the basket?

[Digital_Plasma]

That's my thoughts also. It might give off no, to mild flavor (depending on the spices/herbs) or normal expected flavor. I hope that it will create some sort of turbulence inside the tube. At least enough to carry over flavors. If it fails in its purpose in the pot still mode, I'm sure it will be work in a reflux still.
I might pack some scrubbers around the filter to get more vapor contact.

[Boda Getta]

Looks elegant, should work. I just put a ball of copper mesh up the bottom of my 2" column, crew the little retainer/strainer plate on and pour my botanicals down the top of the column,

BG

[SaltyStaves]

I have used a basket that lets at least 45% of the vapour past it. I've had no trouble making fully flavoured gin.
Importantly, where my basket is placed, is where the vapour is vortexing at the top of my milk can boiler. This probably makes a significant difference (compared to a straight column). It looks like you've got a good way to create similar movement, so yes, I think it will work just fine.

[Digital_Plasma]

Sweet. I can't wait to test it. I still need a tri clamp (ordered) so I can make my first cleaning run. But I'm ready to go.

[Digital_Plasma]

Fitted with copper scrubbers. Not a tight fit for this setup. Don't want too much reflux.

[Odin]

How many grams of herbs can it hold?

Regards, Odin.

[Digital_Plasma]

How many grams of herbs can it hold?

Regards, Odin.

Hi Odin, thanks for tuning in. I'm not quite sure. It holdt a bit more than 100ml (3.38 fl. Oz.). How much that amounts to, I don't know yet. I'll have to check.

[Digital_Plasma]

A quick measuring shows that it holds 36 grams of juniper berries. There's some space around the berries, so it might take approximately 40 grams of herbs/spices.

[Odin]

Thats very little if you want to do a 20 to 25 liter run. And you run a risk of blocking your column. If you want to do vapor infusion, why not put a gin hook at the bottom of the column or top of the keg, and hang hops bags willed with herbs there? That way you can put in bigger amounts ... well, depending on manhole size, DP.

Regards, Odin.

[Digital_Plasma]

Do you think the filter could block the column? It's only 1" in diameter. Where do you think the problem could occur?
I was thinking of doing a strip run to have 12-15 liters of 30-40% alcohol and use that in the spirit run. Normal procedure, but on a smaller scale.

[Digital_Plasma]

I could use the filter holder to hang mesh balls inside the column bottom as you suggested. If the possibility for blockage is too great, I will not use my filter.

[Odin]

If the filler is smaller than the column, gases can always pass it and no column blockage will occur ... but those gases will PASS the filler and not contact the herbs.

Regards, Odin.

[Digital_Plasma]

Ahh of course. That makes sense. Because of a easier vapor path, the gasses would go around the filter. Hmm. I have to give this some consideration then. I'll try it out, just for the fun of it with scrubbers packed around to give some vapor restriction. But I'll also take your advise with a hop bag or some stainless steel tea balls in serious consideration. Thank you for the advice. I'll keep in touch and tell how it went.
Merry Xmas and a happy new year.