Otis’ Modular Mini Mini Gin Still

[OtisT]

Another day, another project.

I’m building a new modular mini mini still so I can make smaller and more frequent batches of gin. Scavenging parts from a few different stills I came up with this mini mini boiler. Best part is that it is made from existing modular parts I already had on hand, so it cost me nothing.

Mini mini boiler

Mini mini boiler

The boiler window is totally unnecessary but I thought it was very cool watching the spirits and botanicals flow around during the run.

Looking through the window

The boiler uses a 500w element with controller. The minimum volume to cover the element is 400 ml and the max charge size is about 900ml. That will work fine for my smaller batch size needs. An 800 ml charge of 30% will finish with the element still fully covered.

I did a successful test run using the riser arm and liebig from my original mini still but I want to make a new upper section and new condenser to match the height and power needs of this new boiler. This is next on my build list. Below is a dry fit of what I think will be my new condenser.

Mini mini condenser

I have wanted to make a new liebig ever since I found these 3/4”x1/2”x1/2” copper tees, so now is my chance. I found that a 3/8” threaded FNPT fitting slips nicely into a 1/2” fitting, so the I/O looks nice and clean.

Once I complete the new upper section and condenser, I plan to make a nice looking insulation solution so I won’t need to wrap this thing in towels when I run it.

Otis

[Ben]

What's the advantage to such tiny runs?

Very cool.

[Oatmeal]

I’m building a new modular mini mini still so I can make smaller and more frequent batches of gin.

[tiramisu]

Things that make you go hmm.
Testing gin recipes by the glass.

... a couple of random thoughts ... if I was looking to play with Gin I might want to make enough for a bottle so I could taste over time and be able to do blind tastings and what is great once may get annoying after a few weeks OR the taste may mature a bit in the bottle and get better or worse.

Love the idea.

[OtisT]

Tiramisu, this still is actually a very good size for my needs. I love to experiment and I want to play more with gin. I make my neutral a few gallons at a time and I would like to start making my gin by the bottle to test recipes. My house bottle is 375ml so a 450ml batch size of finished product is perfect. A full bottle and a full glass.

I get to play a whole lot more with this thing and learn a lot more about making gin.

Otis

[NZPete]

I love this. Is that tee 2" or 3"?

[OtisT]

That is a 3” tee. The back plate is a 3” X 1.5” offset. The upper and condenser are made from 1/2” copper.

I would much rather have made this with 4” parts, similar minimum volume but a larger max volume, but I don’t have all these 4” parts to spare.

The upper I am using now came from my original mini boiler build and mini gin head build.
Mini boiler build: https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 88&t=73642
Mini gin head build: https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 17&t=73706

The boiler came from parts I used for my vacuum still collection tank as well as parts from and old 3” column.
Vacuum Still Build: https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 17&t=73858

Otis

[OtisT]

Breakdown of the modular mini mini boiler build - part 1

It starts with a 3” tee. I made a simple wooden base and attached the tee to the base with 3” pipe standoffs I got at the local contractors plumbing supply shop. I drilled holes the size of the posts into the base and tapped them in.

3” Tee attached to base with 3” stand-off brackets.

Wooden base with holes for the posts

Otis

[OtisT]

Breakdown of the modular mini mini boiler build - part 2

Heat is supplied from one end with an electric element mounted in a 3” x 1.5” offset end plate.

3” x 1.5” offset plate reducer

Most of my stainless parts are from Glacier Tanks. It’s a local company for me and the folks who work the store are friendly. I’m sure glad I got all this stuff pre pandemic. Stainless parts these days are even more freakin expensive.

The element is a Dernord 500w 120v with 1/2” threads. I screwed that into a stainless 1.5” end plate with 1/2” FNPT threads. I wired the plug end onto the element’s two wires. I use a clip on ground when I run this.
The picture below includes a 2” end plate with 1/2” FNPT threads, just to show what that part looks like w/o an element attached.

500W element in a 1.5” x 1/2” FNPT end plate

If I ever decide to add a little more charge volume to this boiler, I have some 3” spools of various lengths. If needed with the longer tank due to the extension, I could use this 1200w element that is longer and has a lot more surface area.

Extension can add to the volume of the kettle

1200w element in a 1.5” x 1/2” threaded end plate.

Otis

[OtisT]

Breakdown of the modular mini mini boiler build - part 3

The controller is a simple 120v/4000w pre made unit from China that cost $14 on Amazon. I put this in a 6” x 2” x 1.5” hobby box. The electrical cord is a single three wire extension cord cut and secured to the box with some small pipe clamps.

The simple dial goes from 0 to 9.

Otis

[OtisT]

Breakdown of the modular mini mini boiler build - part 4

The front of my modular mini mini boiler is a 3” sight glass. Totally unnecessary, but I had it and it looks nice.

3” sight glass

What the threads look like

A much less expensive alternative would be to use a simple end plate.

Simple,3” end plate

Otis

[OtisT]

That’s all for now, until I build a new upper section and condenser.

Otis

[Twisted Brick]

This project has your name written all over it, Otis. Great work.

[Saltbush Bill]

Have you had any trouble with Botanicals sticking to the element, or even burning ?
Ive never tried to make gin using an exposed element like that.

[OtisT]

I’ve made about a half dozen batches of gin in my previous mini still with these elements, half a dozen batches of essential oil extraction, some AG and rum washes and have never had an issue with scorch or burns. Knock on wood.

Otis

[OtisT]

Some surprising good news on the modular mini mini I’m making mostly from salvaged parts. I was looking for my solid wire to use in the small liebig I need to make and I found an old riser arm that will work for this new still. . It’s a few inches shorter than I would make, but with a short and slanted liebig, it will do the trick. Sure beats having to make a new one. Copper has gotten damn expensive in the last year.

Found an old riser arm that will work on the mini mini

And since I’m sharing pics, here is the dry fit of my new liebig that I hope to solder up tonight.

Otis

[OtisT]

I finished the new liebig. Or should that be a new liesmall?

7” Liebig is done

Gave the liebig and the riser arm an acid wash, scrubbing all the solder joints and vapor path inside, followed by a scrubbing with my neutral heads.

[OtisT]

And back to work on the boiler……

I insulated the main body of the boiler with two layers of 1/8” closed cell reflective insulation.

Half of the first layer applied

Two layers done

Insulated body back in the pipe mounts

Kind of looks like something to be sent into space. A small gin making satellite.

Otis

[TheoreticalJoe]

Small or not, very impressive build. Fantastic job. I love to see this type of thing. Well done.

[OtisT]

I have been really enjoying the modular mini. A good friend came by today and we made some mandarin ginger vodka for martinis.

800 ml boiler charge: 700 ml neutral and 100 ml of wheat vodka @ 43%
Cold to boil took 12 minutes at 500w. We collected 25 ml to toss while heating the upper section. Then we shut down to insert the botanicals into the basket and powered back up to 400w.

We collected 350 ml (80% abv) over 30 minutes at 400 watts. I collected a bit longer, but I did not keep anything past the first 350 ml.

We proofed it down to 45% and served it bruised in frosted glass.

Otis

[jog666]

Very badass!!

[Wyododge]

That’s probably the coolest thing I’ve ever seen Mr Otis.

[BrewinBrian44]

This is sweet!!! I think I have all the parts minus the heating element and offset reducer to do this myself. I could re-purpose my 2” shotgun defleg to use as a PC.

I’ve been wanting to experiment with micro-gin recipes to see what I like without wasting much product if I’m not happy with the result. This might just be the ticket.

[Oldhenry1]

What a great idea!!

[city shiner]

This whole thing rocks, I've been considering a mini, modular, reflux still to make small one pass batches, this gives me some ideas for sure, Including the liesmall (great name btw).