How to transfer high proof

Any hardware used for mashing, fermenting or aging.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Post Reply
just_still
Novice
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:43 pm

How to transfer high proof

Post by just_still »

This may seem obvious to some, but I'm trying to hammer out the logistics of bulk aging spirits, be it in a barrel or some other vessel. I will say I'm a long way off from producing enough volume of something to make any of this matter, but I was just thinking about this the last couple of days. What I'm having difficulty finding is what people are using to transfer large volumes of high proof spirit OUT of a vessel. I'm sure this is relatively easily accomplished with a mini 1gal barrel by simply turning it over and dumping it out. When we start going up to 5gal and larger without a spigot, how the heck do you get the spirit out without making a mess? Sure, adding a spigot would be the ideal solution, but I want to focus on other methods, any other method.

I see old 1/2 bbl stainless beer kegs for sale all the time on craigs list, facebook, etc. They are readily available for $30 or less, and with a 2" TC cap and PTFE gasket, I think they would make a good, affordable, and infinitely reusable vessel for bulk aging with oak sticks. The problem is that even if you only fill it 2/3 full, that keg is going to weight roughly 113 lbs. With the small opening right in the middle, picking up and pouring simply isn't a viable option.

While there are many stainless head transfer pumps out there, the o-rings, impeller blades, diaphragms, transfer tubing, etc are all made of some form of silicone/plastic/rubber. Are there any pumps and tubing out there that are purpose made for spirits that use only safe materials, or are the generally unsafe materials considered acceptable for very brief contact times? I've done some googling and searching on this forum and I didn't quite find anything suitable. If I've overlooked something, please do let me know.
User avatar
Deplorable
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 3984
Joined: Thu Jun 25, 2020 12:10 pm
Location: In the East, (IYKYK)

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by Deplorable »

A 5 gallon barrel dry is ~30 pounds. Full its ~70 pounds. To empy it, put it bung side down over your BOP and knock the bung out. Transfer from BOP to bottles via mason jar and SS funnel?
Fear and ridicule are the tactics of weak-minded cowards and tyrants who have no other leadership talent from which to draw in order to persuade.
zapata
Distiller
Posts: 1664
Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2017 1:06 pm

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by zapata »

CSST, like used in CCVM stills for the condensers can be used as a flexible, totally stainless siphon cane and tube all in one.

Fittings, ball valves and dip tubes are easy to put on kegs, I really like to pull-through self dimpling solderable fittings from brewhardware.com

Corny kegs aren't much cheaper than full kegs, but they are lighter, narrower, a more convenient batch size and have a much bigger opening perfect for inserting (and retrieving!) full size staves. You can wrap the gaskets in PTFE to comply with the rules if you feel like you have to. You can easily remove the poppet from one of the gas/liquid posts for a bit of breathing. You can also pour through the posts with a surprising degree of accuracy if you remove the poppet from both so the "liquid out" post becomes a vent, and pour smoothly through the "gas in" post. Even easier if you attach a stainless disconnect with no tubing attached, now you have an even more convenient pouring spout in the form of the stainless tubing nipple and the "liquid out" disconnect will hold in the poppet so you don't have to remove it. You could even use a threaded quick disconnect, an appropriate thread adapter, and your CSST and pour anywhere to your hearts content, hell you could even push it around with CO2!

Of course there are also synthetic tubes specificially designed and sold for moving cold spirits around, but of course we don't talk about them here. But any reputable tubing supplier will have compatibility info available.
User avatar
8Ball
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1401
Joined: Tue Nov 27, 2018 9:12 am

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by 8Ball »

I siphon out through the bung hole using a pure copper length of 0.25 ID tubing. There are other ways. I wouldn’t want a spigot on my Gibbs cask.

🎱
🎱 The struggle is real and this rabbit hole just got interesting.
Per a conversation I had with Mr. Jay Gibbs regarding white oak barrel staves: “…you gotta get it burning good.”
User avatar
bluefish_dist
Distiller
Posts: 1502
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 10:13 am
Location: Eastern Ia

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by bluefish_dist »

I transferred 15 gallon barrel, by just dumping them into my blending tank. They are about 150lbs. Just lifted them up and dumped. Needed two people, but not a bad job.
Formerly
Dsp-CO-20051
User avatar
Chauncey
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1570
Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2016 1:30 am
Location: NOLA

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by Chauncey »

Torn rotator cuff and careful pouring
<no stopping to corner anytime [] no parking passenger zone>

When people tell me I'll regret that in the morning, I sleep till noon.
just_still
Novice
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:43 pm

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by just_still »

I guess I was trying to think of a high tech solution to a low tech problem, we don't need no stinking pumps. I should have known the home distillers here would have simple solutions. Pouring it into a pot seems easiest, and with 5 gallon vessels it would be quite manageable, larger vessels may require teamwork. Siphoning with copper or stainless tubing is easy enough if you can lift the source vessel to an elevated position.
cob
Master of Distillation
Posts: 2691
Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:38 pm
Location: little puffs of dust where my feet used to be

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by cob »

drill 2 holes in a bung put a copper tube in the bung then add air from an oil less air compressor.

I use the same technique to put diesel in my tractor, different materials, but no lifting.
be water my friend
User avatar
jimmayhugh
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 83
Joined: Mon Aug 20, 2018 11:19 am

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by jimmayhugh »

I use sanke kegs for just about everything.

If I want to transfer from one to another, I can use my silver-soldered downcomer along with a triclamp tee to transfer liquids using compressed air.

Since I've also done something similar with CSST , I could probably come up with a solution that way as well.
User avatar
jonnys_spirit
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 3630
Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:58 am
Location: The Milky Way

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by jonnys_spirit »

I've used a vacuum pump system to transfer wines and distillers beer but I'd be concerned about high ABV vapors eating up the seals and valves. I'll look into compressed air and some copper tubing / CSST for the high ABV stuff.

Cheers!
-jonny
————
i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
————
hellbilly007
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 581
Joined: Fri Aug 03, 2012 10:59 am
Location: Never one place very long

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by hellbilly007 »

PTFE tubing would make a decent siphon hose. It's not cheap but won't break the bank for a 5ft piece.

just_still
Novice
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:43 pm

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by just_still »

cob wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:25 am drill 2 holes in a bung put a copper tube in the bung then add air from an oil less air compressor.

I use the same technique to put diesel in my tractor, different materials, but no lifting.
I like this solution, it's not always you can talk about shoving pipes into bung holes without it being dirty. This is just like pressure transfers in beer brewing, except it doesn't waste my CO2. My compressor is not oil-less, but I have a desiccant dryer with oil filter that should work for this purpose.
just_still
Novice
Posts: 13
Joined: Mon Sep 14, 2020 6:43 pm

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by just_still »

jimmayhugh wrote: Fri Oct 02, 2020 11:36 am I use sanke kegs for just about everything.

If I want to transfer from one to another, I can use my silver-soldered downcomer along with a triclamp tee to transfer liquids using compressed air.

Since I've also done something similar with CSST , I could probably come up with a solution that way as well.
Those that run a sanke kegs as a thumper may be able to adapt their existing hardware to do the pressure transfer like this.
NineInchNails

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by NineInchNails »

A full keg can be transferred as outlined previously and there's a lot of different ways to plumb such a rig. I made one using a single Tri-Clamp to NPT adapter and the rest was copper fittings & copper pipe. I installed a 1/4" air regulator and 1/4" quick disconnect to my air compressor hose. On the product output I installed a 1/2" ball valve and then a copper spigot.

Another way is to just install a bottom drain in a keg and use a ball valve spigot to decant the product. That's what I use most of the time because it's simple.
NineInchNails

Re: How to transfer high proof

Post by NineInchNails »

An air regulator is important if you want automatic, consistent and safe pressure. You can do it without a regulator, but it's not as convenient.
Keg Liquid Transfer FINAL.jpg
Post Reply