2" or 3" Column?

[BAC]

Hi, subsequent to my introduction post, here's the reason I'm going from a guest reader to member
I've got an old Still spirits 25L boiler with 240v 1380w element and small reflux column and coil condenser.
it's years ago since i last used it but never had much success as it doesn't have any power controller and it runs pretty hot once up to temp even hooked up to a continuous supply water supply from a tap - i.e. takes a lot of flow to knock down all the vapor.

I have been collecting a few bits and pieces of copper pipe, fittings and taps etc from a renovation and have managed to get a good length of 80mm ( 3") pipe along with various others of 15, 25, 35 and 40mm with the intention of building a new column and condenser, leaning towards a CCVM column with leibig condenser - I read on another similar post someone asked OP to add a photo of what parts he had to make it easier to give advice so have done the same below. Expecting to buy missing extra parts needed.

After a lot of reading on here I've worked out that my element isn't really powerful enough to run a 3" column effectively and possibly best to go with a 2" instead which brings me to the questions I have:

1) Am I better off to scrap (literally) the pipe I've got and use the cash to buy a length of 2" + fittings etc or could a 3" work?
2) Use 3" and upgrade the element
3) Scrap it all and use the money to buy either of the following options;
- a) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001037 ... ry_from%3A
- b) https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003 ... %210%21ABX
- c) https://www.stillspirits.com/collection ... -condenser

My intention is to get the hang of making a good Gin then move on to other spirits so having the option to run in either ruflux or pot makes the most sense to me.

Appreciate anyone's input.

Photo of Still and pipes - longest section by tape measure is 900mm

[Salt Must Flow]

A 3" reflux column would be better suited for a significantly larger boiler. If you really want to go with a 3" column, I'd find a 15.5 gal keg and upgrade the heating element. A 3" column with good packing can produce 3-3.25 LPH take-off rate at 2750W. For faster heat-up, a 5500W element is convenient. You would need controller to reduce power for spirit runs. A 3" column will operate twice as fast as a 2" column. Just know that for a 3" column, you would want at least 5' of packed column. Sometimes height is the limiting factor for some people.

You have a hell of a collection of copper pipe there. If you have 24" or more of 2" copper pipe, that would ideal to make a very nice shotgun condenser. I use my shotgun condenser for both stripping runs and spirit runs. It's way overkill for spirit runs but I love it.

[Setsumi]

You need a lager boiler for 3"". 25lt would also be small for a good 2" reflux.

Build the 3" CCVM but get a bigger boiler, a controller and a decent sized heater.

As to lt per hour, you will learn your taste and run to that speed.

[NZChris]

There is no point in buying new if you don't have to, I bought some 2" from a scrappy and left my 40mm on my shelf for if it comes in handy.

40mm would make a good pot still head for stripping and for flavored products.

I have enough 3" for a 3' column, but my 2" is doing a good job and I haven't gotten around to building anything with it. Maybe never will, viewtopic.php?t=94194

[BAC]

A 3" reflux column would be better suited for a significantly larger boiler. If you really want to go with a 3" column, I'd find a 15.5 gal keg and upgrade the heating element. A 3" column with good packing can produce 3-3.25 LPH take-off rate at 2750W. For faster heat-up, a 5500W element is convenient. You would need controller to reduce power for spirit runs. A 3" column will operate twice as fast as a 2" column. Just know that for a 3" column, you would want at least 5' of packed column. Sometimes height is the limiting factor for some people.

You have a hell of a collection of copper pipe there. If you have 24" or more of 2" copper pipe, that would ideal to make a very nice shotgun condenser. I use my shotgun condenser for both stripping runs and spirit runs. It's way overkill for spirit runs but I love it.

3" wasn't originally in the plans but I just happened to get a good length of it and didn't want to let the opportunity pass so kept it. Agree, really needs a bigger boiler and heater. I have an 8' ceiling but just can't get that past my wife yet...

Is there sush a thing as an oversized condenser?

[BAC]

You need a lager boiler for 3"". 25lt would also be small for a good 2" reflux.

Would the length of 1-1/2" be better suited than 2"?

[MooseMan]

You need a lager boiler for 3"". 25lt would also be small for a good 2" reflux.

Build the 3" CCVM but get a bigger boiler, a controller and a decent sized heater.

As to lt per hour, you will learn your taste and run to that speed.

In your shoes, I'd do exactly what Setsumi is suggesting.

Build the CCVM with your length of 3" copper, but buy modular stainless parts for the rest of the head, that way you can run it as a pot still when needed.

Scrap the majority of the small copper to pay for a bigger boiler (Keg with a bigger element would be good) and condensers.
Doesn't look like there is enough long stuff to make a big Liebig, but it you have the skill, a shotgun maybe.

[BAC]

There is no point in buying new if you don't have to, I bought some 2" from a scrappy and left my 40mm on my shelf for if it comes in handy.

I like that idea, might see what I can find

40mm would make a good pot still head for stripping and for flavored products.

For the sleve or vapor tube?

[BAC]

In your shoes, I'd do exactly what Setsumi is suggesting.

Build the CCVM with your length of 3" copper, but buy modular stainless parts for the rest of the head, that way you can run it as a pot still when needed.

Scrap the majority of the small copper to pay for a bigger boiler (Keg with a bigger element would be good) and condensers.
Doesn't look like there is enough long stuff to make a big Liebig, but it you have the skill, a shotgun maybe.

Thanks for the idea, hadn't looked at it that way. I like it There would be plenty of 3" that I'd have spare after the column height I can fit that I could try making the shotgun with. I can solder and have access to tig, mig and laser welding at work.

[Salt Must Flow]

A 3" reflux column would be better suited for a significantly larger boiler. If you really want to go with a 3" column, I'd find a 15.5 gal keg and upgrade the heating element. A 3" column with good packing can produce 3-3.25 LPH take-off rate at 2750W. For faster heat-up, a 5500W element is convenient. You would need controller to reduce power for spirit runs. A 3" column will operate twice as fast as a 2" column. Just know that for a 3" column, you would want at least 5' of packed column. Sometimes height is the limiting factor for some people.

You have a hell of a collection of copper pipe there. If you have 24" or more of 2" copper pipe, that would ideal to make a very nice shotgun condenser. I use my shotgun condenser for both stripping runs and spirit runs. It's way overkill for spirit runs but I love it.

3" wasn't originally in the plans but I just happened to get a good length of it and didn't want to let the opportunity pass so kept it. Agree, really needs a bigger boiler and heater. I have an 8' ceiling but just can't get that past my wife yet...

Is there sush a thing as an oversized condenser?

I don't think so.

[Copperhead road]

[/quote]

..

Is there sush a thing as an oversized condenser?
[/quote]

There is such a thing as over-kill condenser, I had a 4” shotgun on a 20 gallon pot!

[Yummyrum]

BAC , I can quite relate .
I started with that Still , but with the 5 L boiler then upgraded to the 25 Litre .
I initially tried sticking that thing on a column made out of PVC pipe stuffed with scrubbers . It heated up when quickly melted and bent over . But I grabbed it and held it straight for long enough to pull some 90% stuff off it . ( LOL … I did not know that plastic was bad at that stage )

That was enough to convince me to make a real still out of copper .

My first lot of copper looked just like yours . secondhand stuff . But it works just fine

Here is my adventure , not saying to follow , just ideas .

viewtopic.php?p=7481508&sid=c5d34b1d156 ... 1#p7481508

I ran that thing on 1380w element for years .
Eventually , soldered a 1” BSP thread in its place and yo graded to a 2400w element .

Don’t be discouraged by what folk well you about what that lid can cope with .

I agree with others , that 3” will make a damn fine reflux still on a 50litre keg .Aim for a 3.6kw element .

That woukd be my goal if I was you .

[NZChris]

There is no point in buying new if you don't have to, I bought some 2" from a scrappy and left my 40mm on my shelf for if it comes in handy.

I like that idea, might see what I can find

40mm would make a good pot still head for stripping and for flavored products.

For the sleve or vapor tube?

For the riser. Use enough to get the top of the Liebig to a suitable height for your intended collection point.
40ml is too large for a Liebig outer, would be very heavy.

[Yummyrum]

I made the shot gun condenser on mine out of 1.5” ( 40mm) copper . I’ve used it on my 2” reflux , my 4” plater and 4” Plated still no worries . It will easily handle 4l/h so no problems on even 3.6kw for stripping .

I know that boiler and lid are fine for a 2” packed column . But it looks like there is not enough 2” there to make an “ideal” column , but hell , Alcoengine stills are only half the preferable height and they still make a good drop .

The thing is , that that Stillspirits reflux still you have can at best make 73% abv off a 18% turbo so a short 2” packed reflux still is going to shit all over that
and down the track you can add another 2” extension to get you to the holy grail .

Get the 2” cracking and show your Mrs the quality that is achievable …… then tell her about how much mire time you could spend with her , if she aproved the 3” option on the beer keg

[BAC]

BAC , I can quite relate .
I started with that Still , but with the 5 L boiler then upgraded to the 25 Litre .
I initially tried sticking that thing on a column made out of PVC pipe stuffed with scrubbers . It heated up when quickly melted and bent over . But I grabbed it and held it straight for long enough to pull some 90% stuff off it . ( LOL … I did not know that plastic was bad at that stage )

That was enough to convince me to make a real still out of copper .

My first lot of copper looked just like yours . secondhand stuff . But it works just fine

Here is my adventure , not saying to follow , just ideas .

viewtopic.php?p=7481508&sid=c5d34b1d156 ... 1#p7481508

I ran that thing on 1380w element for years .
Eventually , soldered a 1” BSP thread in its place and yo graded to a 2400w element .

Don’t be discouraged by what folk well you about what that lid can cope with .

I agree with others , that 3” will make a damn fine reflux still on a 50litre keg .Aim for a 3.6kw element .

That woukd be my goal if I was you .

Wow, thanks for joining in Yummyrum, looking at your linked thread that is almost exactly what I had envisaged before coming across the 3" pipe. Think I'll see what I can find to modify what I have for now and keep the 3" for when I'm ready to step it up to stage 2

[BAC]

For the sleve or vapor tube?

For the riser. Use enough to get the top of the Liebig to a suitable height for your intended collection point.
40ml is too large for a Liebig outer, would be very heavy.

Got it, was scratching my head at 40mm for condenser. Still learning all the different terminology for different parts.

[shadylane]

1) Am I better off to scrap (literally) the pipe I've got and use the cash to buy a length of 2" + fittings etc or could a 3" work?

Whatever you do, don't haul the copper to the scrap yard.
It's worth 10X what they would pay you for it. Keep the copper and sit it aside for now.

[shadylane]

I've got an old Still spirits 25L boiler with 240v 1380w element and small reflux column and coil condenser.

I'd modify the lid with a 2" triclamp bulkhead fitting and use a 2" SS spool for the column.
What still head to use depends on the cooling water source.
On a still this size a liebig would be a good choose for the PC.

[BAC]

I'd modify the lid with a 2" triclamp bulkhead fitting and use a 2" SS spool for the column.
What still head to use depends on the cooling water source.
On a still this size a liebig would be a good choose for the PC.

I'm on town supply water but pressure does fluctuate when someone runs another tap. Have also got a 20 gallon tank (open top) that I could drop a pump on and keep in my cool room (air temp set at 15C)

[BAC]

There is such a thing as over-kill condenser, I had a 4” shotgun on a 20 gallon pot!

ok ok
I bet you don't need to worry about any vapor out the end of that though!