I am trying to decide which still to buy as my first (and possibly last) still. I ruled out DIY. I cannot legally import in Italy, so it must be something readily available in Italy or at least in the EU.
I am looking for:
a versatile column design which can be used as quasi-potstill or column, possibly up to 6 virtual plates;
stacking;
a single sight glass would be welcome but not completely necessary;
if not on the column, a sight glass on the kettle would also be welcome, but not necessary;
a manometer or a safety valve would be very welcome as one day I might do some pomace;
preference for CM;
compact size as I live in an apartment.
If it were available in Italy or the EU, I would go for a Milehi Outback Model 8, this is not distributed in the EU but you get the picture.
I think I have restricted my choice to 4 possible solutions: Solution A, Solution B, Solution C, Solution Cbis.
I would like to examine solution C and Cbis first. They are the least likely to be chosen but I would like you to "talk me out" of them (or to talk me in). I'll discuss solutions B and A later.
Solution C: https://www.pinta.it/it/224/distillator ... 0_lt_.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow €279 not expensive for a complete distiller
Solution Cbis: https://www.pinta.it/it/224/distillator ... litri.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow €649 not cheap at all
They are two Russian stills from the same producer and sharing the same kettle. I did not find any information about them. The writing on the apparatus should be translitterated as MAGARYU but I did not find any information. I cannot read cyrillic so I cannot do a search on the Russian internet. I asked for information to this seller, pinta.it, which did not answer anything (because selling stills is a "low profile" activity or more likely because their customer service sucks.)
As you see, the explanation is in form of an illustration for solution C. Solution Cbis is probably similar.
Let's observe solution C: this appears to me as a CM relatively short column.
The product condenser is coaxial to the short column, which is isolated (how well?) from the heat of the column (compact, but I don't know how well it cools the vapours). The illustration becomes clear once one notices that the blue arrows are the alcohol condensate, the red arrows the alcohol vapours, and the green arrows represent the cold water.
There are two product outlets: One is a "cold finished product outflow" and passes through the product condenser coming from the dephlegmator.
The other is a "pipe for rectification mode". In "non-rectification" mode the vapours go from the dephlegmator to the product condenser through a very short tube. I suppose in "rectification" mode I can take vapours from that other opening in the column, opposite the thermometer, at known temperature, and connect the outflow to the product condenser, instead of the outflow coming from the dephlegmator.
I don't understand the usefulness of this double way to get the product. I suppose the "stripping run" should be made with the still connected as it is pictured, and the spirit run connected the other way.
It's not clear whether the column is fillable (up to the intake) with some packing. If it is not, I don't see the purpose in having a product bleeding half the column. I would expect a Bokakob-style slanted plate for collection at the "rectification" outflow.
Curious design: this thing is made in Russia, probably the only place on Earth with a higher density of stills than in the Alps
, so I don't think it is a stupid thing at all. Just, I fail to fully grasp its logic.Things I like: compact size; handles; thermometer at point of withdrawal; the column MIGHT be replaceable but I don't know how difficult it will be as I have no measures. Moderate price for a complete solution.
Things I don't like: no instructions, no measures. Not clear how it works and what advantages this peculiar design would give.
Solution Cbis: this is evidently a luxury version of the former. It has some nice accessories: a sight glass on the kettle which I find nice to spot foaming, a kettle thermometer which is handy though not mandatory, a manometer which is something I like, and an additional full-glass plate. The column is in two pieces, there is a thermometre where the vapour goes to the product condenser. So overall we have here one glass plate and a CM dephlegmator on top, and a short column. I don't know, again, if the column is "stackable". If it isn't I don't think I am interested. The price goes up a lot and I suppose at this price there is a lot to choose from, but I would like an examination of the merit-demerits of this still first.
The stupid flask with glasses and the "eco"-leather thing are meant, maybe, to present it as some kind of centre-table furniture, like a samovar.
Does anybody has any experience with this brand of stills? Quality of materials, easiness to clean them, general engineering? Do they make sense at the price (which includes the 22% VAT)? Are they fillable with copper scrubber? What are the measures of columns, flanges etc.
Thanks for any help
EDIT: corrected a couple of typographic errors.