What still to built or buy?

[rednose]

Here in HD we almost twice a week have this question of new members, there are so many designs out there that it can be difficult to choose the right still.

This topic is based of a previous one I started some time ago which had a poll where experienced members could give their opinion on what would be the best still for a beginner.

The pot still wan by far and the bokakob still landed in second place.

Buy one?

Try to built your own even if you never touched a metal tool, it’s fun and you will learn to understand the basics of your new hobby. If you are forced to buy one look in our sponsor’s page: Brewhaus and don’t get ripped by some wannabe scam workshops.


Ok, let’s see what the best is for us.

First we need to decide what end product we wanna make:

Whisky and rum and wash flavor spirits in general => Pot still.

Neutrals (vodka) to flavor later with essences or fruits etc. => Reflux still

You can use a Reflux still as a pot still, getting rid of the packing, but it’s always good to have both of them (you will love to use a pot still for stripping runs) and if you follow the recommendations I will make you should be able to finance both of ‘em.

I’m not going to talk about the boilers, which can be chosen by anyone depending what kind of excess he/she has. Most folks here use a ½ or full beer keg which is also considered as the most secure boiler and the heads can be easily fitted by Tri-clamps.

The Pot still:

The pot still is a very simple setup, bullet proved since hundreds of years and need only a boiler and a condenser device, mostly folks use a worm which is a coiled tube made out of copper or SS.
A pot still can also include a thumper or also called a doubler as it simulates a double distillation.
Here an example of a pot still with doubler:

pot with doubler.JPG

Here an example of a member’s setup, you see that it’s very easy to built, just missing the water container which can be a plastic pot or be made out of copper or SS.

Pot example.jpg

And here my Apollo rig in pot mode:

apollo pot head 2.jpg

The worm coil should be built with tube no less than 3/8” and have at least 7 windings.
To guaranty a good condensation you should have about 20Ltr of water min and an inlet for cooling water in the bottom and the outlet in the top of your worm container.

You will do the mother earth a great favor if you re-use this hot water and not just drain it.

Other than in a reflux still we don’t need to use a thermometer in the product vapor pass but if you feel more comfort you can install one.

The ABV meter and parrot is not a must but until you get firm to make proper cuts by smell and taste you might want to use it in a pot still just for reference.


I need two more posts, please don't make comments until I'm done, thanks

Joe