My first semi homemade still
Moderator: Site Moderator
My first semi homemade still
Flavor is a little hotter, feels like sugar burn, then when ran without the thumper.
Maybe an 8 gallon pot the cuts are harder with a thumper.
But knowing I built this and it works just reinforces the hobby.
- still_stirrin
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 10372
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:01 am
- Location: where the buffalo roam, and the deer & antelope play
Re: My first semi homemade still
Your product condenser looks too short, especially when using a thumper, when you’ll be pushing the boiler harder than without. Double, or triple the water jacket length for safety’s sake and operational flexibility. It shouldn’t be a problem for you as you obviously knowhow to work with (solder) copper.
ss
ss
My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
Re: My first semi homemade still
Good point, I went with a 1 inch jacket over a half inch pipe hoping the added volume of cold water would make up for the shorter length.
- still_stirrin
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 10372
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:01 am
- Location: where the buffalo roam, and the deer & antelope play
Re: My first semi homemade still
But the heat capacity of water is sufficiently high that you won’t need a large volume of water...rather you’ll need a greater surface area between the vapor and water jacket to conduct the heat through. Also, dwell time...the time the vapor contacts the conducting surface...matters too for a condenser. So, a longer vapor tube in the water jacket is beneficial for efficient heat transfer.
ss
My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
Re: My first semi homemade still
Advice taken. Reply was trying to justify my design. I see the error in it.
But a question, is that why the distillate taste, or rather feels, hotter than when ran minus the thumper?
But a question, is that why the distillate taste, or rather feels, hotter than when ran minus the thumper?
- still_stirrin
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 10372
- Joined: Tue Mar 18, 2014 7:01 am
- Location: where the buffalo roam, and the deer & antelope play
Re: My first semi homemade still
Smearing. The “hot mouth” sensation is heads in your product. You’re running the still too fast to get adequate separation of the fractions. And, your recipe and ferment can contribute to increased volatiles in the product as well.
ss
ss
My LM/VM & Potstill: My build thread
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K
My Cadco hotplate modification thread: Hotplate Build
My stock pot gin still: stock pot potstill
My 5-grain Bourbon recipe: Special K