If you have multiple stills what sizes work best

[sampsor]

I am new to distilling but I have been searching the board for answers to common questions. I have not seen anything yet that covers my issue, my guess is I am coming at this problem from the opposite direction. Most people are looking to upgrade to a bigger still while I am looking to get a second smaller one. I was lucky enough to find a great deal on an 18.5 gal still, 60 USD. It includes an 18.5 gal pot, 3-inch column, condenser w/hoses, thermometer, and mini water pump. While I think I got an amazing deal I have not run the still yet because the 18.5 gal seems like a lot for a newbie. What I would like to do is put the column and condenser on one of my existing stainless steel pots, which are 3, 4, 5 gallons sizes. Would it be an issue having a large column and condenser (Vevor football style) on a smaller pot? The plan is to use weldless tri-clover fittings and move parts as necessary. If it isn't an issue which size pot would be best if my long-term plan is to use the 18.5 gallons still for striping runs (13-14 gal) and the smaller still for spirit runs and test batches? Both stills will be run with electric heating elements (sized appropriately). Thanks in advance!

[jonnys_spirit]

I have a 2.5 gallon still that I run for gin type macerated spirits and small test batches. It runs on a modified hotplate so easy enough to do small batch gin of a couple liters or one strip out of the 16g boiler will yield enough low wines for two spirit runs on the small still... I don't think 18.5g is too big and you can probably get about 6 gallons or so low wines out of it (more or less) in one go.

Lots of folks around here use a keg boiler which is about 15 gallons and works very well for hobby sized ferments where you end up fermenting in a 55g blue HDPE barrel and get about three strips to do a full spirit run that yields in the area of 2-3g 120pf for aging...

As long as any internal heater element is covered you can run less in the larger still as well so it's not necessarily as limited to a larger run as might be expected...

Cheers!
-jonny

[StillerBoy]

Boiler size is not the first question you should asking yourself..

The question you need answer first and foremost is.. why do I want to be in the hobby, and next is what do I want to make, flavor or neutral most, and how large is the family I will be supplying..

That will give the guidance as to what size boiler you need.. large for stripping with, medium for spiriting with, small for gin.. 3" good for stripping and spirit large batches, not good for small batches little gin.. it all depend on how much time you want to allocate babysitting..

Mars

[NZChris]

For pot stilling, around 1/4 of the size is good as you can comfortably do a spirit run from one strip. E.g., my middle still can do a spirit run from one strip from my main still and also produce a nice amount of low wines for my smallest still.

Be sure to use the term 'column' correctly as misuse can result in confusion and irrelevant answers. Reflux stills have columns that do a lot of separation work, pot stills have a riser to raise the inlet of the condenser to a convenient height for the collection jug.

[Demy]

I run small batches compared to other forum members, at the beginning I asked similar questions without a certain answer .... well I can tell you that you can do it, but you should specify what you mean by "column" ie reflux or pot-still?

[Metalking00]

I have a 35l boiler that i use with both pot and reflux stills, and i also have a 4l airstill that is use for gin.

I think Stillerboy brings up a good point- the time you can spend monitoring it is a factor. I can do 3 strips pretty quickly with my 35l boiler, and a spirit run takes the good part of a day. I usually do the entire situation in a weekend, and i think moving up to 65l would make a full batch take longer than i would be able to devote to it without having my girlfriend give me a heap of shit for leaving everything set up in the bathroom.

[sampsor]

I have a 2.5 gallon still that I run for gin type macerated spirits and small test batches. It runs on a modified hotplate so easy enough to do small batch gin of a couple liters or one strip out of the 16g boiler will yield enough low wines for two spirit runs on the small still... I don't think 18.5g is too big and you can probably get about 6 gallons or so low wines out of it (more or less) in one go.

Lots of folks around here use a keg boiler which is about 15 gallons and works very well for hobby sized ferments where you end up fermenting in a 55g blue HDPE barrel and get about three strips to do a full spirit run that yields in the area of 2-3g 120pf for aging...

As long as any internal heater element is covered you can run less in the larger still as well so it's not necessarily as limited to a larger run as might be expected...

Cheers!
-jonny

Thanks for Jonny, I didn't think I would get as much as a 1/3 in low wines from a stripping run. Any thoughts on using the 3 inch column and condenser on the smaller pot still?

[NZChris]

It's much more efficient to add the same sized preheater than it is to double the size of the boiler.

viewtopic.php?f=87&t=66230

[sampsor]

I have a 2.5 gallon still that I run for gin type macerated spirits and small test batches. It runs on a modified hotplate so easy enough to do small batch gin of a couple liters or one strip out of the 16g boiler will yield enough low wines for two spirit runs on the small still... I don't think 18.5g is too big and you can probably get about 6 gallons or so low wines out of it (more or less) in one go.

Lots of folks around here use a keg boiler which is about 15 gallons and works very well for hobby sized ferments where you end up fermenting in a 55g blue HDPE barrel and get about three strips to do a full spirit run that yields in the area of 2-3g 120pf for aging...

As long as any internal heater element is covered you can run less in the larger still as well so it's not necessarily as limited to a larger run as might be expected...

Cheers!
-jonny

Thanks for Jonny, I didn't think I would get as much as a 1/3 in low wines from a stripping run. Any thoughts on using the 3 inch column and condenser on the smaller pot still?

I run small batches compared to other forum members, at the beginning I asked similar questions without a certain answer .... well I can tell you that you can do it, but you should specify what you mean by "column" ie reflux or pot-still?

Great point Demy, I am not sure how I would qualify this still, it has 3-inch tri-clover fittings on the bottom and side to the condenser. It is 17 inches long and the max width is 5 inches (football-shaped 3-5-3 inch). There is a screen near the bottom so you can add packing/ceramic balls or botanicals/fruit. My thought was I could add pipe to the bottom and raise the vapor chamber if needed but I do not have any way of controlling the temperature in the vapor chamber with water. I guess it is a pot still with a basket.

[sampsor]

For pot stilling, around 1/4 of the size is good as you can comfortably do a spirit run from one strip. E.g., my middle still can do a spirit run from one strip from my main still and also produce a nice amount of low wines for my smallest still.

Be sure to use the term 'column' correctly as misuse can result in confusion and irrelevant answers. Reflux stills have columns that do a lot of separation work, pot stills have a riser to raise the inlet of the condenser to a convenient height for the collection jug.

Thanks for the feedback Chris, still learning a lot. It is a pot still, it has a riser (vapor chamber) with an integrated basket.

[sampsor]

Boiler size is not the first question you should asking yourself..

The question you need answer first and foremost is.. why do I want to be in the hobby, and next is what do I want to make, flavor or neutral most, and how large is the family I will be supplying..

That will give the guidance as to what size boiler you need.. large for stripping with, medium for spiriting with, small for gin.. 3" good for stripping and spirit large batches, not good for small batches little gin.. it all depend on how much time you want to allocate babysitting..

Mars

Thanks, StillerBoy, that helps. I plan on making, whiskey, rum, brandy, and vodka. I plan on sharing with family and friends and I am not much of a gin drinker so this might work out for me.

[jonnys_spirit]

I’d estimate 1/3 to 1/4 of the boiler charge if you run your low wines overall abv till it’s in the 25-40% range. Stripping all the way to 25% total abv from an approximately 10% abv charge should be in that range of 1/3 to 1/4. Maybe with some top headroom to top up with fresh ferment.

3” riser isn’t a problem and i’m guessing it eventually reduces down to 1/2” for the product condenser? My 2.5g is an alembic with the rotating top riser that goes above the boiler and it’s maybe 5-6” diameter and about 12” high?

Cheers!
-j

[shadylane]

I didn't think I would get as much as a 1/3 in low wines from a stripping run. Any thoughts on using the 3 inch column and condenser on the smaller pot still?

1/3 is a ballpark figure, how much lowines You get depends.
Yes, the condenser can be used on a smaller still.
From the looks of the condenser, it's half dimroth and half worm

I haven't figured out the valves nor the directions given on the so called "rectifying tower"
But it looks like it would make a good gin basket.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/383616265751?_ ... 101224.m-1

[sampsor]

I didn't think I would get as much as a 1/3 in low wines from a stripping run. Any thoughts on using the 3 inch column and condenser on the smaller pot still?

1/3 is a ballpark figure, how much lowines You get depends.
Yes, the condenser can be used on a smaller still.
From the looks of the condenser, it's half dimroth and half worm

moonshine-still-f4.jpg

I haven't figured out the valves nor the directions given on the so called "rectifying tower"
But it looks like it would make a good gin basket.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/383616265751?_ ... 101224.m-1

Thanks, Shadylane the link you found is correct, 70L. I am glad you made me take another look at the condenser, I just assumed it was like an immersion wort chiller in a vapor chamber. On closer inspection that is not the case, the bottom half fills with water and connects to a stainless steel hose then out the top port. The vapor enters the top half of the chamber gets cooled by the water-filled hose and goes down a separate stainless steel hose which is immersed in cool water, pretty wild.

They did provide directions for the valves. They state as you start to produce liquor open the top valve for 5 minutes to release the majority of methanol. Then after 10 minutes open the bottom valve for a few minutes to drain any fusel oils. There is a lip where the tri-clover fitting enters the rectifying tower, it goes about 2 inches up into the tower. The tower is football-shaped not straight so things could collect at the bottom of the tower between the tri-clover and the sidewall. Not having used it yet I don't know how well it works but it makes sense given the design. I look forward to trying it out and appreciate all the great advice.

[rubberduck71]

I have a 35l boiler that i use with both pot and reflux stills, and i also have a 4l airstill that is use for gin.

Metal, I think you & I took the same path to start this hobby. Started on AirStill & quickly found that it is too undersized for stripping even a 25L bucket of ferment. 5x3 hr sessions adds up vs that 35L (Digiboil???) 1x4 hr stripping run.

For small spirit runs or experiments though, it's perfect!

[Metalking00]

Metal, I think you & I took the same path to start this hobby. Started on AirStill & quickly found that it is too undersized for stripping even a 25L bucket of ferment. 5x3 hr sessions adds up vs that 35L (Digiboil???) 1x4 hr stripping run.

For small spirit runs or experiments though, it's perfect!

I actually went the other way with it. Started with the digiboil, then found it too big for doing small gin runs. I found an airstill for $20. As you said, its great for experiments and gin!

Im quite happy with my digiboil setup, though id like it to be just a bit bigger and higher wattage for stripping...

[tombombadil]

I have a 15g, 8g and 2.5g.

I wish the 2.5g was more like 3.5g and I'm looking for a 1g.

When I'm making whiskey, i use the 8g as a steam injector for the 16g to do on the grain stripping runs.

I tend to put abput 12g of wash or mash in to the 15g still,
end up with 2-3g low wines.

Depending on the size of the fermentation I keep doing stripping runs until I have enough low wines to fill any of the 3 stills for a spirit run.

I think it's a good setup, but like I said, I wish the 2.5g was 3.5g and I wish I had a 1g.

I do have a reflux tower, the jacketed type, it works well enough for me.

If I had to pick one, I would pick the 16g.

[Thedevilswater]

I have a 8 gal stainless pot with 24 in copper riser to a 2.5 gal copper thumper to a 2 gallon pot with condenser for my "stripping" runs. I call it stripping as I get about 40 to 60 % off the still, then I add some good water back to do a spirit run in my 2.5 gal all copper pot still.

I got them off Amazon and then added and modified to make better making all copper paths with a few lead free picked brass fittings.

It is making some nice stuff that is as good or better than many bottles"professional" stuff.

I did get a 5 gallons as well but it's not as good as my 8 gal, I like the head space in the 8 gal it seems to make a better product. I do 5 gallons buckets for my Ferment so after racking and such i have about 4.5 gallons of mash to strip.

I am thinking of going up to a 9.6 gallon pot then I can run two 5 gallons at a time maybe.

What I have done with my main still is make a modular system so at anytime I can plug and play pots or condensers ect.

Well back to the topic... 1-8 gallon 3 stage setup, 1-5 gallon 3 stage setup, and a 2.5 gallon pot still for my spirit runs. All in I have about $325 in my setup... I was lucky and have a bunch of copper around. I started with cheap Chinese stuff and branched out. Now I know I could probably get a good setup built for $250.00 for one still.

[sampsor]

Thanks, how much difference does copper make? I have a stainless steel setup, and I plan on putting copper in the tower if needed.

[kimbodious]

Thanks, how much difference does copper make? I have a stainless steel setup, and I plan on putting copper in the tower if needed.

A couple of copper potscrubbers at the bottom of a packed column works for me.