Submarine boilers

[PalCabral]

PalCabral, it is an interesting shaped boiler. Considering the price and it's size, I'd prefer a stainless drum.

That's pretty much the conclusion I have made too, Salty. I posted this because I've never seen a boiler like it before, it's a really interesting design. I don't follow these nonsensical moonshine docu-soaps and have no reference to US moonshining history, so I thought I'd ask. The only value I see of it, besides being cool to look at, is its' low profile, which means that I could stick it under a bed or a table for storage in my distillery. Some times posts like this takes on a life that is a bit too serious and heated, not intended by the OP.

I have since spoken to a guy in a different distilling forum who actually uses one and found that it is a boiler, like any other boiler. For the price, I would not even buy it if it was fantastic. US prices for distilling equipment is far too pricey and with the shipping cost and the fat import tax slapped on goods from the US it's unthinkable. I can get a jacketed pot belly boiler from Oakstills for much less, and that would still be too pricey for me.

I use a 50l/13g milk can boiler that generally fits all needs, but there are occasions when I have thought it would have been practical to just stripp all the fermented stuff once and then do the spirit run in the milk can, so I am on the lookout for a 100L/26g boiler, or a little bigger. I won't go for a milk can, welded top, kind of set up this time though. I am looking at something with a wider opening, like the classic stove pot construction, with a lid that is kept in place tight by braces and place for a false bottom, so I can use it when boiling mashes with more solids. Easy to clean out after, easy to fill when the mash comes with chunky bits. This will come in handy for fruit season. The problem can be the quality of the braces.

I have found two suitable boilers in the Ukraine distilling shops. Their prices are very competitive and they make quality products. The 30 gallon boiler I am eyeballing is lower than the price of the Oakstill 13g milk can that I am using. I have a Ukrainian friend who knows someone who travels back and forth to Ukraine with goods, so I am hoping the boiler could be getting a cheaper ride to my place than DHL. But I will most likely push this upgrade to 2027, I have a trip to Asia for save up for.

What are your experiences with the stove pot boiler design, Salty? It will definitely be placed on a dolly. I use it for my 50L already, couldn't work in the distillery without wheels.

[subbrew]

It's easy. Look up Latent heat of evaporation. I bet you can't find an equation that takes into account surface area.

Exactly

this is why water doesn't evaporate faster from a wide pond water surface the water surface in a deep narrow hole....

oh... wait...

Wide and shallow means a lot more heat coming in from sun or warm air. Deep and narrow and you only have cold ground.

Although it wouldn't apply to boilers as the atmosphere above the liquid level is saturated but on pond wind would move the saturated layer away which could help some evaporation as dry air replaces the saturated layer.

[subbrew]

I had missed this post first time it came around. Got all excited when I saw submarine boilers. Thought maybe the navy was going to bring back the old tradition of rum on board. The only boilers they allowed on my boat were the those on top of the pressurized water reactor.

[PalCabral]

I had missed this post first time it came around. Got all excited when I saw submarine boilers. Thought maybe the navy was going to bring back the old tradition of rum on board. The only boilers they allowed on my boat were the those on top of the pressurized water reactor.

[Saltbush Bill]

This boiler would allow for more evaporation I believe if you kept the wash below boiling and had some type of agitation.

If its not boiling no product will be leaving the still.

Damn bill I'm just too tired to argue with you.

Tammuz I'm not tired, I simply can't be bothered trying to educate someone who won't listen.
I suggest you go read through the many long threads that argue the fact that PIDs are great for regulating the temp of boilers.
Many people a lot smarter than l , with much more distilling experience have stated the same thing, maybe you can argue with them.

[Tammuz]

This boiler would allow for more evaporation I believe if you kept the wash below boiling and had some type of agitation.

If its not boiling no product will be leaving the still.

Damn bill I'm just too tired to argue with you.

Tammuz I'm not tired, I simply can't be bothered trying to educate someone who won't listen.
I suggest you go read through the many long threads that argue the fact that PIDs are great for regulating the temp of boilers.
Many people a lot smarter than l , with much more distilling experience have stated the same thing, maybe you can argue with them.
[/quote

Edit: I don't believe I've ever argued with anyone on the internet except when I bought something and they didn't deliver and asked me to prove it didn't arrive.


I know you got a hard on about pids.I never once mentioned a pid, I made that reply to someone above about evap. And I also mentioned agitation so if I was pumping in CO2 somethings leaving the the damn boiler.

My remarks are mainly were the size of the boiler and a wider column you would have less smearing and better separation for your cuts vs higher velocity vapor speed

[SW_Shiner]

Or did some fairy come along and dry up the street and the sidewalk at night.

That's exactly what happened. I call the fairy wind that's drier than the ground and willing to absorb moisture. With no heat you get no evaporation.