Explain like I'm 5 (plated column/flute)

[bcook608]

So as I'm fixing up Ugly Betty, I've been playing with the idea of getting her a 4" 4 plate column with copper bubble plates and after doing some reading, I think I'm just confusing myself more.

So basically, if you're not running a reflux condenser above your plates, would you just operate the still as you would if you were running a pot still? I'm looking at ways to reduce the number of runs I need to do to get a good clean product with decent flavor. I'm looking into modular bubble sections so I can easily adjust the number of plates, but I thought 4 would be a good place to start.

If I'm not understanding this correctly, can someone point me towards a post that breaks it down barney style like the CM/VM/LM posts in the new distillers reading lounge? I'm sure there's one out there, but when I tried pulling up the search there were over 100 pages of posts to sift through.

Thanks in advance,
-Cookie

[Sporacle]

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=23238
I typed flute explanation into the search bar, it's basic not sure if it's right but there are links to videos, personally if I was going to spend the dollars on a flute I would read every bit of information on them but that's just me

[bcook608]

viewtopic.php?f=17&t=23238
I typed flute explanation into the search bar, it's basic not sure if it's right but there are links to videos, personally if I was going to spend the dollars on a flute I would read every bit of information on them but that's just me

Thanks, I bookmarked the flute talk thread and I'll have to read it when my eyes are rehydrated. lol

[Deplorable]

From what I have read here, 3 or 4 plates will get you a flavorful one-and-done whiskey. But a good number of folks have gone back to double pot distilling afterwards too, so there is that. I'll spend that money on grain and wood, and just make traditional double pot stilled whiskey.

[Setsumi]

Flutes/platers are good for a one and done run for flavour products. But you need reflux for the plates to load and work. That said, flutes/platers like all stills shine when fed low wines. Myself run 1 1/2 runs these days because it gives good product at good volume.

[Sporacle]

Thanks, I bookmarked the flute talk thread and I'll have to read it when my eyes are rehydrated. lol

It's not a link to the entire thread on flutes, it's a link to a section in that thread that answers pretty much your exact question

[Yummyrum]

. But you need reflux for the plates to load and work.

Definitely , thats how they are designed to work and is totally necessary with perforated plates .
However those with Bubble cap plates will tell you that they will eventually load without forced reflux , and bubble away , but its not the best way to run them .

That said, flutes/platers like all stills shine when fed low wines. Myself run 1 1/2 runs these days because it gives good product at good volume.

I also agree with you here setsumi and do the same . IE , I’ll strip 50litres of wash in my Pot still and add it to another 50litres in the Plated still .

[Saltbush Bill]

but I thought 4 would be a good place to start.

4 plates is a great starting point and many people are happy to stay with that number without ever changing.
I think it is also the main reason that most plated columns built are built with four plates and that most commercial 4 platers sold come standard with four plates.

So basically, if you're not running a reflux condenser above your plates, would you just operate the still as you would if you were running a pot still?

Correct without reflux it just becomes a big pot still. That applies especially to perforated plate columns.
I have seen claims by some that they can run a bubble cap plated column without reflux and still keep the plates loaded.
99% of my experience is with perforated plates so I wont say for sure if the above bit is right or wrong.

But a good number of folks have gone back to double pot distilling afterwards too, so there is that.

That may be the case on this forum, but I certainly wouldn't call it a general trend. Very few if any on other forums I'm involved in ever go back to a pot.
Of the many Distillers Ive met in person in life only one or two prefer to use a pot.
One thing that I do think that pots do better is make Scotch Whiskey..........its best put in the barrel smeared and dirty.

[Demy]

Personally I prefer bubble dishes (fueled by low wines) instead of double distillation with pot-still, it's a personal preference, they are both good tools.

[Bee]

Do the flutes use less energy than pots?

[shadylane]

Do the flutes use less energy than pots?

Yes
Plated columns use less energy and time, that why professionals use them.
On a hobby scale, pot redistillations can make a better whiskey or rum.

[Saltbush Bill]

No , anything that uses any form of reflux is going to use more energy than a pot.
Is the amount of energy used to make the same product using a pot or plated column more or less is another question.
4 strip runs then a spirit run will use more energy than a plated column will to do the same thing in one run.
But then the 3-4 strips and spirit run using the pot could produce more usable spirit than a single run with a column.
But how much of that product is clean and usable?
The more you think the bigger the can of worms gets.
Gut feeling is that in general plated columns are more economical to run and use and that is why they are so popular in commercial settings.
Typed while shady was posting.

[ThomasBrewer]

I ran a single procap plate without a reflux condenser a few months back. There was enough internal reflux at startup to load the plate and it stayed loaded throughout the run. It definitely gave an ABV boost, probably not as much as a thumper would've.

viewtopic.php?t=84856

[corene1]

I have run a plated column a few times and have experimented a bit with adding or subtracting plates. For flavored whiskies and rums for one and done method I will only use1 or 2 plates and adjust my column condenser to keep the vapor temperatures above the column condenser at around 185 to 190 degrees. No need to try for high proofage for flavored spirits in my thoughts you will just dilute the flavor away when cutting the proof down to drinking strength. Fewer plates will also bring more flavor across, and you will be running the column a bit harder and faster so more smearing or flavor
in the final spirit. You also get the benefit of packing the heads and tails at the start and finish of the run so the hearts cut is a bit wider than using a pot still. We have all these gadgets to work with so try some different setups to see which combination works best for you and your taste profile.

[bcook608]

Thanks for the input guys! I'll do some more research and start piecing my new head together. I'll probably go with the self-enclosed single plates in sight glasses and stack a few up and play around with different configurations. So what I'll need is my stacked plates, a dephleg or other RC with a "T" above it and a valve that leads to a lyne arm and PC which will probably end up being the liebig I have already so I can get the distillate away from the propane I'll be using. Since I'm running propane, I shouldn't have to worry about the 4" diameter being too much, right? The only reason I'm going with 4" vs 2" is that I have a 4" ferrule on my boiler and figured if I could eliminate the reducer at the bottom, I could add it to the top after the plates to center a 2" dephleg and transition into a 2" run until it hits my 7/8" liebig. This would keep the reflux returning down the center of the vapor path but that shouldn't matter much because the plates will disrupt that anyway.

[bcook608]

Thanks, I bookmarked the flute talk thread and I'll have to read it when my eyes are rehydrated. lol

It's not a link to the entire thread on flutes, it's a link to a section in that thread that answers pretty much your exact question

Nope, I saw the link to the beast of a thread that is "Flute Talk" 64 pages of eye blood lol

[Stonecutter]

Thanks, I bookmarked the flute talk thread and I'll have to read it when my eyes are rehydrated. lol

It's not a link to the entire thread on flutes, it's a link to a section in that thread that answers pretty much your exact question

Nope, I saw the link to the beast of a thread that is "Flute Talk" 64 pages of eye blood lol

That flute talk thread is a beast but after I got through it I felt like I had a decent understanding of the whole concept. OD is a legend

[Sporacle]

Nope, I saw the link to the beast of a thread that is "Flute Talk" 64 pages of eye blood lol

I clicked the link I copied and it takes you to a discussion that has 17 posts and is one page long, got links to videos, maybe the link opens differently on your end

[bcook608]

Nope, I saw the link to the beast of a thread that is "Flute Talk" 64 pages of eye blood lol

I clicked the link I copied and it takes you to a discussion that has 17 posts and is one page long, got links to videos, maybe the link opens differently on your end

its a link in one of the replies that's posted in that thread. both threads provide good info though!

[Saltbush Bill]

To save confusion here it is......all 63 pages.
viewtopic.php?f=17&t=59216

[bcook608]

Thanks Bill! I was just going to do this

[Saltbush Bill]

Reading through and looking at photos in the many plated column build threads on the forum will also help to understand the different styles of plates, downcommers , condensers and other parts, modular and not , the plate trees of old and other different design ideas.
There are many ways to skin this cat if you ever decided to build your own.