Pot-thumper to Bubbler conversion

[Walshie]

I have a kit I bought off amzn 2 seasons ago, 8 gallon pot with thumper and condenser. The condenser was way too small so I built my own. See pic for entire unit.

I've also sweated together 3 parrots (2 for sale hint hint) as the continuous sampling with a hydrometer/cylinder was a pita.

My stripping runs get to about 90 proof and my spirit runs can get as high as 170.

For my second season running Uncle Jessie's recipe, I'm quite proud and surprised at the flavour and compliments I've received but want to get a little better for next year. I was looking to have a new lid made and buy parts to put together a 3" column with bubbler plates so that I could eliminate the second distillation. I don't think I'm sophisticated enough to run a reflux.

The questions:
-is 3 plates enough or do I need 4?
-is it a pita to part source it or should I buy a prefab unit?
-do I need a dephlegmator for this to work properly or can it run directly to the condenser?

Any advise is appreciated. Cheers from Niagara, ON!!!

[Setsumi]

Too me a plater/flute is a reflux. So yes you need a reflux condenser. Typically they are build as cooling management with a dephlegamater.

Myself would go for 4 plates or even 5.

Yes it is true that platers can do one and done runs but as with most stills there is always benefits running low wines.

[Saltbush Bill]

The questions:
-is 3 plates enough or do I need 4?
I mostly run 4, Ive tasted great booze made by others who swear by 5 plates.Tasted other stuff made on 3 plates ..it was also excellent, comes down to personal preference and what ya making at the time.
-is it a pita to part source it or should I buy a prefab unit?
Depends how handy you are at sourcing parts at the " right price"
-do I need a dephlegmator for this to work properly or can it run directly to the condenser?

Wont work without one.

[Yummyrum]

What Salty said . “ won’t work without one “

Well it will ,…. Sorta … kinda …. but it will be a useless fancy arse piece of shit .

Plates are pointless without some reflux .

[squigglefunk]

on a different note, You might want to check that little ball valve on the lid for rust, my cheap still came with a bunch of those and they all started rusting and it was spreading into the stainless. I got pure brass plugs to replace them. I never used them anyway.

[Ben]

I run 2 plates on mine for whiskey, so 3 should be plenty for ujssm

[Walshie]

on a different note, You might want to check that little ball valve on the lid for rust, my cheap still came with a bunch of those and they all started rusting and it was spreading into the stainless. I got pure brass plugs to replace them. I never used them anyway.

I exercise them quite a bit as I too noticed they were starting to rust. Only use to relieve pressure at end of run. Good starter unit though.

[Walshie]

Thanks for the thoughts lads.

[googe]

but it will be a useless fancy arse piece of shit .
Haha well said

[Yummyrum]

but it will be a useless fancy arse piece of shit .
Haha well said

Believe it or not , I actually failed School certificate English googe

Sorry walshie .perhaps not the best description .