New guy from somewhere secret in the UK :?:

[SomethingObscure]

Hi guys.

And thank you for all the help you given me already as I read and discover this fab hobby.

I've been reading for weeks and found myself late on Christmas Eve evening reading through near 20 pages of discussions on column packing materials and got into some major trouble as I tried to read dad300 complete (only got to page 10 before the nagging of too much) thread on Condenser Controlled Column on Xmas day.

So I guess after maybe three weeks reading; I taken the plunge and found myself an SS keg and starting to source the bit I think I need.

Anyway im gunna spend a few more weeks building and learning before I start my first ferment.

I'd love to hear from anyone else who might also live in secret locations in the UK. And of course anywhere around the world.

Cheers

SO

[Tummydoc]

Welcome, CCVM is a great choice as is your boiler. Going electric or gas? Electric allows fine power control which is important in a reflux still.

[SassyFrass]

Hello and welcome. Sounds like you've a good plan. If you build it modular, it will give you more options, now and later. Enjoy the journey. This is a great hobby.
SF

[SomethingObscure]

Thanks for the encouragement TD & SF

Yep modular is the idea. Have now ordered Tri clamps. I guess I will mostly use in pot still mode. I'm not even sure I have the head room for ccvm I guess I'll have to be creative with packing to keep the column as short as possible. Making my own SPP is a challenge I'm up for.

The plan do far.
50l SS Guinness keg have this already. I was considering putting a triclamp on the bottom so I can drain easier but will mean having to fit legs/a stand to it. But I thought this might be useful if I get into AG mashes.
Any thoughts? How about cleanout? 6" triclamps and ferrules are big bucks.
I have seen on fleebay a 4500w immersion heater which has a 1.5" Tri clamp fitting. But might consider 2 smaller heater, so I can run it off a normal 16a breaker. Just not sure how I would fit them into the keg. Can't find the correct bosses for brazing in. Anyone got links?
SCR controller
3" & 2" stainless pipe throughout. 3" column (some copper scrubber somewhere) it seem that exhaust pipe is the cheapest source in the UK.
3" Tri clamps & ferrules these are seriously expensive so they will take a month or so from China.
3" sight glass also coming from china hope it doesnt break.
Shotgun style condenser using 2" stainless pipe. 15mm vapour tubes.
Soon I'll be reading up on how to bend 10mm copper pipe for the RC. I've seen some lovely examples in the construction section.

I'm really enjoying the learning experience, not often ole dogs get to learn new tricks. Just been reading about diastatic Power. It amazing the rabbits holes that I've disappeared down over the last few weeks\months.

If there is anything I've missed or massively awry with the above please put me straight. Equally any EU/UK sources of bits and bobs will be gratefully received.

SO.

[DSmith78]

Welcome from Essex!

[Deplorable]

2 inch column only needs 48 inches of packed height. 3 each 16 inch spools packed with copper mesh should work a treat for you, and if you heat with electric the keg can sit on the floor increasing your available working height. It will get you "close enough ".
If I were to build a keg boiler and needed to run off 16a, inside the house, I would put 3 ferrules on the bottom just above the seam. 2 for elements, and one for a drain valve. I'd put at least a 5 inch clean out/fill port on the top to make sure I could get my arm all the way in to the bottom to clean it.
Another option might be a single element and run it off your dryer outlet at a higher amperage.

[SomethingObscure]

Thanks for the replys

I was planning on using at least 450mm length of packed column. And packing with lava rock. But see how much head room I have and make it as long as possible. My worry is that when I have the RC up it'll be restricted by the ceiling.

With 16a I can actually run the heater up to 3.8kw. But I think I will put 2 in to allow me quick startup time. I might consider putting the drain on the side. But I really wanted it on the bottom so I could actually drain completely. Guess it depends on head room again.

I've been investigating getting a larger ferrule for a cleanout. But it is extremely expensive to go any larger than 4inch.

Does anyone know where in the UK we can get Tri clamp ferrules?

Cheers

“Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the universe.”
-Albert Einstein

[DSmith78]

I got mine from ebay mate but you can get them from Ali express too. There is an English distilling supplies place - I forget the name - but they are rather expensive. Think I paid around a fiver on ebay for 2 x 2" clamps and stainless ferrules.

[SomethingObscure]

thanks DS

[OZBrewer1]

SomethingObscure wrote:

> Does anyone know where in the UK we can get Tri clamp ferrules?
>

Im pretty happy with Aliexpress if you don't mind waiting a few weeks, Amazon and Ebay have been fine but a little expensive, have also got some bits from Distilleruk but also quite expensive

Also ....Hello from Somewhere near Liverpool

[Boozewaves]

Does anyone know where in the UK we can get Tri clamp ferrules?

distilling uk is probably the website DSmith78 meant , it is a bit expensive compared to buying from china off ebay but i'd definitely recommend him , he will answer questions quickly about things he sells

if you email him a list of the things you want and offer to pay him through paypal but using the friends and family payment method it will be slightly cheaper than the website cart says

I buy lava rock from specialist aggregates website .
welcome from Anglesey