1500W Upgrade Path
Posted: Tue Oct 14, 2025 1:53 pm
I have a 2" potstill on top of a 1500W 35L Digiboil that I use to make (heavy, peaty) single malts and occasional rum using strip/spirit method. I also have a myvodkamaker pro which I use for vodka which pumps out 90% from a ~10% TFFV wash. I'm looking for two things going forward; to up the vodka abv closer to azeo, and to speed up my whisky a bit (4x 3hour strips plus 1x 6 hour spirit run is a lot of time).
My biggest limiting factor is lack of access to 240V, which is part of the reason I went with the Digiboil. I am in a rental condo. I also have 0 interest in soldering/welding etc. Pre-built triclamp parts only.
For vodka, I'm about to try stripping the wash before using the MVM, which should get me to 92-93% if I am lucky. Better, but not quite good enough.
I have a few ideas i am considering. One is an LM head like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005189380615.html?, with something like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005520364216.html? on top of a 1m SPP packed 2" column for neutral. I've read LMs are slow, especially a 2 inch column, but how much slower than a 2" VM? The cool-factor of that setup is a small part of the equation, but I could be talked out of it. For the RC, i would use
Are there pros and cons of different styles of LM? examples: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003522711955.html? or https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004780805439.html
For whisky, I have been reading up on running plates for a one-and-done. Could I stick a 3" plated column on my otherwise 2" rig? The digiboil lid has a 2" triclamp opening. Could my 1500W power a 2" opening -> 3" plated glass column -> 2" elbow/shotgun condenser?
I watched Odin's videos on the istill site, and he mentions that plates are not suitable for whisky as they are a very effective tails trap, which seems to contradict a lot of the advice on this forum
Can plated column even be used with an LM head? Could I use a plate or two on an LM as a sort of pre-distillation to mimic a stripping run/clean up the vapor before it hits the SPP?
For the far future, assuming I am stuck with 120V, I have seen milk can boilers with 2 heater ports, I could install 2x 1500/1700W heaters using different outlets on different electrical circuits, and hopefully power a 3" (or bigger?) column.
I know that's a lot of questions, thanks to all who read and can offer suggestions and opinions.
My biggest limiting factor is lack of access to 240V, which is part of the reason I went with the Digiboil. I am in a rental condo. I also have 0 interest in soldering/welding etc. Pre-built triclamp parts only.
For vodka, I'm about to try stripping the wash before using the MVM, which should get me to 92-93% if I am lucky. Better, but not quite good enough.
I have a few ideas i am considering. One is an LM head like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005189380615.html?, with something like this https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005005520364216.html? on top of a 1m SPP packed 2" column for neutral. I've read LMs are slow, especially a 2 inch column, but how much slower than a 2" VM? The cool-factor of that setup is a small part of the equation, but I could be talked out of it. For the RC, i would use
Are there pros and cons of different styles of LM? examples: https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005003522711955.html? or https://www.aliexpress.com/item/1005004780805439.html
For whisky, I have been reading up on running plates for a one-and-done. Could I stick a 3" plated column on my otherwise 2" rig? The digiboil lid has a 2" triclamp opening. Could my 1500W power a 2" opening -> 3" plated glass column -> 2" elbow/shotgun condenser?
I watched Odin's videos on the istill site, and he mentions that plates are not suitable for whisky as they are a very effective tails trap, which seems to contradict a lot of the advice on this forum
Can plated column even be used with an LM head? Could I use a plate or two on an LM as a sort of pre-distillation to mimic a stripping run/clean up the vapor before it hits the SPP?
For the far future, assuming I am stuck with 120V, I have seen milk can boilers with 2 heater ports, I could install 2x 1500/1700W heaters using different outlets on different electrical circuits, and hopefully power a 3" (or bigger?) column.
I know that's a lot of questions, thanks to all who read and can offer suggestions and opinions.