Home Distiller

you can use just about anything handy for your cooling lines as your cooling will not mix with the mash/spirits...

"how do I set that up so the neighbors don't ask questions when they see me playing with copper coils on the outside of "
tell them it some sort of solar collector experiment.

Thanks for all the input guys, and KS, I am sorry for jacking your thread.

no worry torp.. It dont bother me.

Was checking it out as I need to switch from gas to electric because were moving....was thinking about getting: http://www.hillbillystills.com/Heat_Con ... tg55ck.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow as everyone seems to say it is worth the money. However, I us a standard 15.5 gallon stainless steel keg. How would you even attach this heating element? My buddy is an electrician and he said he would help me make a amperage controller...but I'm still lose as how to make it so the heating element can be removed from the keg(boiler) if it dies one day.

Zxlork wrote:.....How would you even attach this heating element?..... but I'm still lose as how to make it so the heating element can be removed from the keg(boiler) if it dies one day.....

@ Zxlork,

Suggest viewing the below referenced YouTube video ->

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xSxR9Gb3 ... r_embedded

Also review the below referenced Web Page link for the Hillbilly Stills ‘Heating element conversion plate’ ->

http://www.hillbillystills.com/Heating_ ... p/hecp.htm

Regards,
Coaster

Last question.

I noticed in the video that they used a seal of some sort to keep connect the flange I would weld in to the screw in port for the element. It has always been my understanding that you should never have the heated wash touching alcohol for the fear of it leaching toxins into the product. However does this only apply to the very hot vapors when I use my triclamp to connect my keg to my pot still arm? Because I use flour mixture to make a seal. I'd always rather be safe than sorry but also don't really want to have to deal with flour mixture on another triclamp. If the gasket you use is safe and ok the setup would be very nice!

The PTFE Teflon triclamp gaskets KS sells on his site are just fine. Go ahead and use them.

Can I even use them to connect my still to my. Copper up top? If so this would be a godsend.

@ Zxlork,

Yes

Regards,
Coaster

I made my own boiler from a beer keg. In this keg I have welded two 1" ss coupling at the base about 3" up from the bottom. In one hole I have a 2000 watt 110 v hot water heating elememt with a 2000 watt lighting dimmer on it. The other is a 5500 watt hot water heating element 240 v and KS mk5500 control on it. I bought his element with it but I can not use it on this rig. But I plan on using it on a future purchase from KS. Love your KS flute! I also put a 1/2 drain in her with a 5psi pop off valve with temp gauge to see how it is doing. Have not fired it up yet to see how fast she will heat up! I'm sure it will be fast. Once it gets to temp, I have not decided which one to turn off to finish the run. Playing around with my 1st keg, the 1500 watt seam to hold the temp, but so long to heat up. Off subject, KS, have you thought about running 2 mk 5500 in that 50 gal job? And a 2nd head on that 3" opening you have there?

Hi KS,
Is your controller thermostaticly controlled, or is it a "simmerstat"?

I had also dismissed elec-trickery, but your thread has rekindled some interest.

They are only controlled by the amount of amperage you allow to go to the element. There is no thermostat. you manually control the amperage.