Should reflux still be full of fluid?

[NormandieStill]

Single coil 8mm ID, 10mm OD. My first failed because I forgot the difference between écroui and recuit (which translate to hard and soft copper respectively) and tried to coil un-annealed copper which promptly split. The second coiled reasonably well, but the problem of a single coil is that you have to wrap around the return tube which is inherently too narrow to act as a mandrel meaning that you need a hollow mandrel. I plan to get my hands on a length of smaller diameter tube (8mm OD which would be roughly 1/4") and try for a double coil.

But my basic problem is that I'm not setup for metal-working. I'm a roof carpenter so I don't even have a vice on my workbench. Buying a length of appropriately sized steel for a mandrel and a pipe-bender for the initial bends will cost considerably more than buying a pre-wound copper coil on Aliexpress!

I am well setup for soldering and brazing though, so my plan is to build a shotgun condenser which will serve for stripping runs, and as the RC on a VM still for refluxing.

[Saltbush Bill]

From what I've seen.
All the reflux stills you can buy are CM with a tube or tubes in a jacket dephleg.

Pretty much all Ive seen too , nothing as a decent reflux still that stands out.
You would think that one of the manufacturers would see an opening there.
Have noticed lately one or two selling Bokas and parts of them on Ebay in this country......what Ive seen looks well built and not terribly priced for what your getting.

[amlsml]

IMG_0711.jpg

Ran again today, serrated the reservoir for the RC and the PC. Put copper packing and racing rungs in the 2 ppt column right under the sight glass and on top of that the RC. I waited till the RC set the top of the packing into a "boil" see picture, then I replaced my gate valve with a needle valve and allowed some of the flow to the reflux confessor to be restricted, by fooling with the needle valve I was able to get 180 proof with a consistent drip... for a while, then had to keep fooling with the amount of flow going to the RC to keep the product dripping. So If I add a dephlegmator , long or short wouldn't that help? Couldn't I add a bubble plate on top of my packed column under my sight glass or am I just chasing my tail.Was watching a flute still operated and as they loaded the column it seemed that it was actually easier to manage, couldn't I add a multiple flute t my 8 gallon pot or is this just for larger stills?
THANKS

[StillerBoy]

As you seem to be all over the map or lack understand in what directing you are wanting to go, what is it you are wanting to make, as that will to a large extent, identify what unit or setup is best for that.. what you have presently, will make good whiskeys, but not the best in neutral..

Mars

[Saltbush Bill]

then I replaced my gate valve with a needle valve

Thats a good move and an improvement, these stills should be sold with one as standard.

So If I add a dephlegmator

I doubt that , that alone will solve your problems.

Couldn't I add a bubble plate on top of my packed column under my sight glass or am I just chasing my tail.

Clutching at straws, bubble plates don't work well on top of a packed section,....if you really must go down that path they need to be below the column, also putting one plate there would probably be a waste of time.......3 or 4 plates may be a different matter.
By that point the still would be so tall that you might need to knock a hole in the ceiling before you could use it.
Now that you have the needle valve you might find that if you play around long enough with different water flows to the reflux and different heat settings under the boiler that it might actually work. It will be a fine line between flooding , not enough reflux, and getting maximum preformance.
That is just the nature of CM reflux stills in my experience, a tiny tweek of the needle valve can make a large difference.

[Stonecutter]

IMG_0711.jpgRan again today, serrated the reservoir for the RC and the PC. Put copper packing and racing rungs in the 2 ppt column right under the sight glass and on top of that the RC. I waited till the RC set the top of the packing into a "boil" see picture, then I replaced my gate valve with a needle valve and allowed some of the flow to the reflux confessor to be restricted, by fooling with the needle valve I was able to get 180 proof with a consistent drip... for a while, then had to keep fooling with the amount of flow going to the RC to keep the product dripping. So If I add a dephlegmator , long or short wouldn't that help? Couldn't I add a bubble plate on top of my packed column under my sight glass or am I just chasing my tail.Was watching a flute still operated and as they loaded the column it seemed that it was actually easier to manage, couldn't I add a multiple flute t my 8 gallon pot or is this just for larger stills?
THANKS

Looks like you’re making good improvement. You gotta learn to walk before you can run though and one semi-successful bungling of a simple 2” jacketed CM rig is far from ideal. I’ve been running mine for little while trying to get the feel for her and it’s tricky. That cooling jacket is one finicky SOB. How are you managing the incoming CM water temp? Also, remember that there is a little lag whenever you change something within the system, like power input and water flow, so don’t get into too much of a rush. Tend the still and try to listen to what it’s telling you. Remember just because someone on a video screen made something look easy doesn’t mean that it is. It sounds like you just need to change gears and take the time to learn what you have, I’m not sure if I’ll ever catch up with my delusions of grandeur concerning the hobby so I’ve learned to just go through the motions of what I have and make small improvements here and there. It also sounds like you have quite a bit of reading ahead of you. I’m a newbie as well and usually drunk so take my advice accordingly. It’s a hobby…have fun.

[shadylane]

So If I add a dephlegmator , long or short wouldn't that help?

I think a proper dephleg would help.
But what the 2 incher really needs, is a taller column and more packing.

[howie]

agree shady.
i've since noticed that the Mike HI dephleg that i mentioned is only 5" long.
there are better high efficient ones which have 8 pipes/5 spacers/ 8" long in the Distillex store.
they sell columns as well.
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003 ... 5056%21sea

[Bobbydigital84]

Thoughts on a keg spear dimroth as a PC for a keg still?