Essential Extractor pro-Series II

[Guest]

Does anybody here own one? How well does it work?

https://secure.brewhaus.ca/index.aspx?p ... egoryID=31" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow


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[Firebaall]

Sorry,

I posted this without logging in first.

[Firebaall]

It's not a very good still, and it's over priced.

It has serious design flaws (such as the coolin' line that runs through the middle of the column).

You could (with little handy-man skill) build a much superior still for less money.


I suggest ya figure out what sort of booze ya wanna make ( flavored like whiskeys, rum, brandies, etc... or flavorless like vodka) and get back to us. Once ya let us know what ya wanna make we'll be glad to help ya out.

I'd be after a still that could produce a flavorless product. The high price for this item is due to the Stainless Steel construction, and dairy grade SS couplers. I doubt I could build one with the SS thoughout for much cheaper.

Copper is cheap, but I really wanted SS.

[knuklehead]

Couldn't have said it better myself THM.

So, your selling a bridge hey, what's the span?

[Firebaall]

So,

Tell me whatcha really think.

Did you read the description at the Url link?

"By placing the cooling lines near the top of the distillation column, reflux is created where it is intended - at the top of the tower"

That price is in Canadian funds. Pretty close after the conversion for most of the large reflux stills that I have seen ( and much cheaper than some!!! ). Not only that, but most of the retail stills listed on http://www.homedistiller.com onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow are in fact SS ( not to mention this very still is the first one on the list ).

Can you find a better retail one?

[knuklehead]

It's a nice looking machine that I will say. I for one am not a fan of the through tubes because I believe they are to hard to control but that is my opinion. I agree with THM to just build one and the valved reflux is easy to build but the cost of the parts is pretty high which deters people form building it. You don't seem to mind price so I would suggest you build it. You could build one for much much cheaper then the price they want for the one you posted a picture of and better at that. I think the price that they are asking is a very fair price I just think that if you put a little effort into building one you will be much happier and it's not hard to do at all.

[Firebaall]

It's a nice looking machine that I will say. I for one am not a fan of the through tubes because I believe they are to hard to control but that is my opinion.

Would a model with a water jacket in tandem with the through tubes be more to your preferences?

Take a look here, and scroll down to the "32 Quart Boiler w/ 43-inch 2-in-1 column" model

http://milehidistilling.900footalien.com/distillers.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow



I appreciate the comments and feedback greatly!!!

[Jaxom]

Firebaall,

I'm quite new at this myself. Here's something else to think about. This is 32qt? That's 8 gallons, of which you might run say 6 gallons at once. From this you may get half gallon of spirt per run. Just an estimate depedning on how high your wash alcohol % is and things. Now, a converted beer keg as per the plans on moonshinestill.com show is going to be 60qt. With the right yeast, reflux and what all, you could achieve nearly 3 gallons of spirit per run.

Cost wise.... cant say enough, it's ALOT cheaper to build your own!!! This is how my keg is breaking down now

$15 beer keg
$75 for copper pipe and fittings
$20 for heating elements
$30 for misc parts (bowl, nuts/bolts/cork, SS pot scrubers)
-----
$140 total For a better design and larger volume/output.

Jaxx

[Guest]

Not really trying to make an argument. Just looking for some help in trying to decide what to go with.

I was hoping to find a prefab unit ready for purchase.

You are right with the Nixon-Stone offset head design style. This is what I'm going to have to go with to get what I want.

Thanks for the push in the right direction. I'll have to buy you a beer sometime.

[Firebaall]

lol....

Damn cookies won't work properly. Keeps logging me out. Anyways....

Thanks again bud.

Do you have any good sources for a valved reflux still?

[puggymalone]

Both the brewhaus and milehigh units are well constructed and can push you 95% easy (Just replace the raschig rings with copper mesh). Through tube designs are touchier then N-S or other liquid control designs, but this is similar to using a pot still to make good flavoured spirits, you just have to learn your still and how she reacts. I personally have both styles of control (vapor and liquid), and I usually use the vapor (the through tube head piece) more often. It isn't because it works so much better or what not, it was just the first one that I made and I have some attachment to it;) Plus I like the bubbling gurgling tubing running from through tube to through tube (looks like a science experiment). The only things you need to remember are:

1. Equilibrate the column fully (make sure the unit can return 100% reflux, and do it for at least 45 minutes)
2. Insulate the column to maintain Equilibrity.
3. Take hard cuts, and distill 2-3 times.
4. Polish the spirit with a bit of carbon.

Do these things and you can take either one of those units and make world class vodka with out any difficulty! Just remember to put a Y-connetion and use two valves to control the coolant flow to the through tubes and condenser separately. If you want a bunch more enjoyment that come from constructing your own unit, then by all means do this! But if you just want to learn the hobby and enjoy your own homebrew, the pre-fabs are not a bad choice. Also, the 43" column is a much better choice, because the 36" version will require more reflux to reach the same purity!
-puggy

[mshinner]

I have one of these units from Brewhaus, it is well built and produces 93% product with the copper mesh with no problem. It is very easy to use and control reflux. I make 25L washes so the boiler is the perfect size. Mine cost under $300 with everything needed to get started, it has allready paid for its self. If cost is not a issue and time is like in my case (I work way to much) its a good unit, when I do get time I plan on making a offset head column just for fun and compair the two. I can get all the parts to make it from were I work. This is just my opion from the 27 runs I have done so far, also I get allmost a full gallon at 93% using Turbo 8KG

[knuklehead]

@ puggy, you run 2-3 times through a reflux still and then carbon filter?

[Firebaall]

I definitely hear what you're saying. I'm looking for a still that can produce 90-95 percent of tasteless product with one run. The off head valved design seems the way to achieve this.

Bokkakob's designs are pretty cool too, and there seems to be at least one commercial still being produced in Canada ( I'd prefer a Canadian source )here:

http://www.home-distilling.com/HD_PDA-1.asp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

But this design is only 12"!!! I can't see how they get the purity they claim out of such a short column! It's somewhat pricey, but very slick design-wise.

I don't mind paying for one, and I don't mind paying for a quality product ( if I can find one ). Thanks again!

[AkCoyote]

OK. I'm weird but I like the tube through the column design. I get 91-92% but its easy to control as I use gas heat.

Distilling is more than just loading up the still and turning it on. If you build your own, no matter how simple you make it, you learn what it does and how the 'parts' effect the spirit. In the scheme of things, that knowledge is priceless.

If all you want is booze, buy one ready built. If you want to learn the craft, start by building something simple and go from there.

AkCoyote

[Firebaall]

OK. I'm weird but I like the tube through the column design. I get 91-92% but its easy to control as I use gas heat.

Distilling is more than just loading up the still and turning it on. If you build your own, no matter how simple you make it, you learn what it does and how the 'parts' effect the spirit. In the scheme of things, that knowledge is priceless.

If all you want is booze, buy one ready built. If you want to learn the craft, start by building something simple and go from there.

AkCoyote

I understand the viewpoint you have, and understand the pride in workmanship you get from your creations. I personally don't see the problem with owning a well made commercially manufactured item.

I don't have the skills in stills (lol) to produce a unit that I would happy using ( which is why I'm looking to buy ). I don't mind paying extra money to do this. I'm asking the people that are in the know, what commercially produced machine will do what I want. This is producing a clean, pure, tastless product that I can experiment recipes with.

I don't want to build my own. I don't want to experiment with multiple designs. This should be respected. If all I wanted was "booze" as you say, money buys that at the liquor board. I'm asking for help with fully assembled/ready to use units. Thanks.

[linw]

Fireball, the PDA-1 comes from an excellent design source with a very good rep and will be a good buy for what you want. Glad you are sticking up for your right to decide for yourself whether to build or buy! Personally, I built mine and enjoyed that very much but, hey, I'm me and you are you.

But, as the site says, you will need to get a boiler for it so that may be a negative for you.

Good luck in your search.

[AkCoyote]

Firebaall:
Sorry as I meant no disrespect. By all means, you are free to pursue the hobby anyway you choose and I didn't mean to insinuate otherwise.

The reason that I pushed the 'build it' rout is that 'some' people come here and ask 'how' questions without ever reading anything beforehand. A still can very easily turn into a bomb and kill someone. Or at the least, burn your house down. I've made many mistakes while learning that I may not have made with something 'store bought'. To me, that was valuable experience.

If you wish to purchase a still, by all means do so. Just be sure that you learn everything that you possibly can on how and why things work. Ever made home made bread? You can do it the old fashioned way in the oven or throw everything into a bread machine and flip a switch. Distilling can be the same way. Whatever you choose, I wish you the best!

AkCoyote

[Firebaall]

Fireball, the PDA-1 comes from an excellent design source with a very good rep and will be a good buy for what you want. Glad you are sticking up for your right to decide for yourself whether to build or buy! Personally, I built mine and enjoyed that very much but, hey, I'm me and you are you.

But, as the site says, you will need to get a boiler for it so that may be a negative for you.

Good luck in your search.

I does look like a great unit. I'll have to send them an e-mail with a few questions. They claim a very high % of alcohol in the end product. I'm curious if that is acheived in one pass. A 12" column is unheard of with that kind of purity.

[knuklehead]

With a 12" column that would have to be either a very very slow collection or the condenser would have super cooling capacity. At 1000 W and a 2" x 12" column I can't see getting any more then 91% but I don't know anything about this unit so that's just my opinion having never seen or used it.

[Goofy]

This works for me. I bought an Essential Extractor II from Brewhaus 4 months ago. I have about 20 runs under my belt and I am very pleased with the results. I hit 92-93% every time. I use 15lbs. sugar with the turbo 48 in a 25 litre wash. I run it twice just to make a better cut between the heads, center, and tails. I use sparkalloid to clear the wash and it clears in about 12 hours or so. I dont carbon polish because it is good enough for me. I cut it to about 40 or 45 proof and mix it with grapefruit or orange juice. My wife likes hers with vanilla coke. If you want a distiller that is ready to make something to drink in about a week then I would recommend ordering one from Brewhaus. You can get everything you need in one order. Get the heavy duty hot plate, and the copper packing. I bought an extra fermenter and airlock so I could do a complete run in one weekend. Im like you, I just wanted to get going and bought a pre-fab unit. (I didnt have the time or patience to build my own)

[puggymalone]

Hey guys, sorry that it takes me so long to reply. Yup, I run it through 3 times. The first is a stripping run with basically zero reflux. I do this for five 25 litre batches and collect everything up to 90 degrees C. I take the 5 the stripped runs and add them together and do a second run with this collecting between 78-85 C. Then polish with carbon. Next I do my third run very carefully collecting at only 78 C (and take deep cuts into the heads/tails) by controlling my reflux. Yup, it is a bit anal retentive but like someone else said, it is my hobby and I enjoy doing it. Plus the vodka that I make is drank like water at 50% ABV by everyone of my family. As smooth as mothers milk to all but the unrefined j/k!

I haven't tasted better (And I like to drink!!;) )So I would have to disagree that it is an inferior still. I can punch it through carefully just once and polish it with carbon with great results. I just choose to have a little fun with the process because it is my time to get away from everyone and fool around with my still:)
-puggy

[chio]

I have one of these units from Brewhaus, it is well built and produces 93% product with the copper mesh with no problem. It is very easy to use and control reflux. I make 25L washes so the boiler is the perfect size. Mine cost under $300 with everything needed to get started, it has allready paid for its self. If cost is not a issue and time is like in my case (I work way to much) its a good unit, when I do get time I plan on making a offset head column just for fun and compair the two. I can get all the parts to make it from were I work. This is just my opion from the 27 runs I have done so far, also I get allmost a full gallon at 93% using Turbo 8KG

i just purchased this unit and have used it once and achieved a 93% product;however, the product tastes and smells like nail polish remover. have you had this problem and if so how did you correct it. i am trying to make gin. thanks for your time.

[Fourway]

i just purchased this unit and have used it once and achieved a 93% product;however, the product tastes and smells like nail polish remover. have you had this problem and if so how did you correct it. i am trying to make gin. thanks for your time.

It is most likely that you are smelling Ethyl Acetate. you ought to be able to get rid of it by throwing out the first stuff to come out of your still, the boiling temp is just a little bit lower than etoh.