When I was visiting a professional Eau de vie distiller a month ago he explained how he get's much more flavor because he's using a reflux column (I didn't know that, I thought columns where best used for higher alcohol levels).
I'm now planning my next still build (it's been brewing in me for a while) and I'm considering the following improvements inspired by this German Eau de vie still design:
- A double jacket water-filled boiler (from a sixth barrel keg inside a half barrel keg) with an electric heater, to prevent burning
- 4 plate column
- Dephlegmator
- Shotgun condenser
- (I would have loved to build an agitator but really can't figure out how to do it on a low budget)
Now, I'm trying to understand why are they using a hat (the copper sphere) and what is it good for. Can anyone help on that? Basically, the vapor gets collected in the hat and then flows/get injected (there's a little spray head) at the bottom of the column, how does that affect the still? Should I try and build something like that?
Another thing I saw in that still is that the bottom of the column has a return to the main mash tank. Has anyone tried that? Is that recommended?
Thanks in advance!
Idan