Full or pony keg?

[D-Weasel]

Ok, I've tried the search option but I keep coming up with about 7,800 results. So not a lot of help there for me. I'm sorry if this has been posted and answered before.

I'm looking to build a pot still and have access to full size, pony (short fat) and 1/4 (tall skinny). I was thinking of using the short fat pony keg since I don't see myself doing more than 3-5 gallons at a time but wanted some input from experienced people. Are there any issues I should know about, such as stabilization or others that I should take into consideration?

Thanks for any help I can get

[MichiganCornhusker]

15.5 gallon half barrel keg will give you more head space, just as easy as the shorty to work with, and when you find you want to do larger runs you will be all set. And then you will still have the shorty for a thumper.

Use tall skinny for storing low wines.

[ShineRunner]

Depends on how you're heating it. When using electric, a short, fat 1/4 barrel has the same minimum fill requirements as a full keg in order to cover the element. But it doesn't generally have the ability to fill enough to cover the element throughout the run.

A full size keg is the most versatile.

SR

[D-Weasel]

Does the amount of headspace make a noticeable difference? And is electric the preferred way of heating keg stills?

[xyz123]

Does the amount of headspace make a noticeable difference? And is electric the preferred way of heating keg stills?

That depends on what you are running, for washes prone to foam (molasses, ag, not dry sugar washes) it pays to have headspace so the still does not puke.

[still_stirrin]

Dweasel,

Don't overlook your future plans now when planning a build. A 15.5 gallon keg is the right size for a hobby distiller's boiler, especially when electric powered. It would be well worth the investment to plan in that direction. You can do boils with as little as 5 gallons up to 10-12 gallons (reserved for headspace).

And the shorty 1/4 barrel is ideal for use as a thumper as well. Tall 5 gallon kegs work for thumpers, but the short, fat kind are more stable when connected to the piping network.

If you have access to all these types, plan ahead....you WILL increase your boiler charge in the future...it's a safe bet. That way you won't have to upgrade in the future (near as soon).
ss

[D-Weasel]

Thanks, I think I'll go with the full size. No I just need to decide between electric or propane. I still have a lot of research to do. Thanks

[Truckinbutch]

15.5 boiler and thumper are going to be the most versitile choices . I prefer propane heat and many others swear by electric . Apples vs oranges . Which fruit do you prefer ?
You can always load less in kegs . Hard to poke 10 gallons in a 5 gallon boiler .

[jb-texshine]

+1 for propane.

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

+1 for electric. Run from your couch.

[jb-texshine]

+1 for electric. Run from your couch.

Add couch to shop...win,win!

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

+1 for electric. Run from your couch.

Add couch to shop...win,win!

Sorry, I meant from your 80 degree temp controlled living room with your favorite house shoes in front of your big screen tv, kitchen adjacent, couch.

It's 25 degrees here and a blizzard fight to get to my shed today. We ain't all from Texas

[Truckinbutch]

+1 for electric. Run from your couch.

Add couch to shop...win,win!

Sorry, I meant from your 80 degree temp controlled living room with your favorite house shoes in front of your big screen tv, kitchen adjacent, couch.

It's 25 degrees here and a blizzard fight to get to my shed today. We ain't all from Texas

Yep , but I wouldn't find nothin wrong with it if we was

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

Sorry, I should have said, we don't all have the luxury of being from Texas

Moved there for a while. Wish I had outdoor stillin temps year round.

[Blarney Stoned]

Sorry, I should have said, we don't all have the luxury of being from Texas

Another reason to seek shelter beyond the borders of New Joyzee.

[ShineonCrazyDiamond]

Sorry, I should have said, we don't all have the luxury of being from Texas

Another reason to seek shelter beyond the borders of New Joyzee.

Ha. I moved here from Arkansas, and am originally from Florida. This southern boy don't say Joyzee

[Blarney Stoned]

Ha. I moved here from Arkansas, and am originally from Florida. This southern boy don't say Joyzee

From heaven into the jaws of hell.

Condolences sent !!!!

[The Baker]

Shineon said,'It's 25 degrees here and a blizzard fight to get to my shed today.'.

We've had about three days of 45-47 degrees CELSIUS maximum and not much less at night, visiting relations and living in a rented house with an old evaporative air conditioner that made it nearly bearable.
Turned cold overnight and today was 22 degrees maximum.
Geoff

[Kugeo]

Just my $0.02, but I like the tall 1/4 as a thumper mainly because it's exactly the same height as the 1/2 keg. Makes setup a breeze because you don't have to elevate the thump keg or run more copper than necessary. Here's my setup, and aside from scorching the thump keg with a torch a couple of weeks ago, it's been working great. I have 2" copper going over to the thump, with 1" coming out to the condenser. Copper mesh in the 2" leaving the boiler and again in the 1" leaving the thumper, and I've been able to pull 90% on a slow spirit run. Which leads me to another question that I'm going to post in a new thread...

[nuntius01]

i run a half barrel 15.5gal as my boiler with a 5500w element. takes an hour to heat 12 gal of mash to temp. i use a sixth barrel as my thumper.