Home Distiller

after veiwing various designs and doing much research, this is the final design I settled on.... 1.5 inch diameter, I used what I had, and eventually I can update/refine some of the components--- It is fully "convertable" meaning I can add or remove almost any part-- such as cooling coils, or packing.... If I would have been able to aquire a longer piece of 1.5 Cu pipe I would have went with a straight column As ALL the piping was used--- all for home water--- I had to clean the calcification from the inside of the pipe. I used an electrolosis bath with dish soap and oxy clean powder.. worked Great!! Wiped her all clean, and gave it a once over with 0000 steel wool.

Next I will be aquiring either a SS 1/2 barrel or SS stock pot, or SS pressure cooker for the boiler----

thanks for taking a look

Very nice.. Im sure you will have many, many good times with your new "friend"

the coils provide some reflux??

yep, hopefully the coils will provide some reflux IF needed... I'm thinking I can eventually build a cooling finger or internal cooling coil and make some nuetral spirits or fuel.. and without cooling coils I can run it like a pot still and have full flavor

once I get it all up and running I'm hoping to experiment a little....

NICE WORK....

I just built something "similar" in design. ( total noob here)

Question...Why did you design it to have the vapor take-off below the cooling coils?

I would think (maybe my downfall) any reflux/condensing (in an open style column) would pass back down thru the vapor taking precious alc with it. A vapor take off should be above any reflux/condensing process???????

Don't expect much from the external cooling coils

Pack...pack...pack....

Hmmm interesting.. I would expect the coils would provide limited cooling, but I would be interested to know what sort of %ABV it produces with the coils running...

Have you run it yet??

And I would recommend a 50 litre beer keg and a tri -clamp... so much cheaper and easier than bloody stock pots.. (I have wasted far too much money on stock pots..) you in Oz? or the UK?. no address please

Plonker..as mentioned, mine is similar with the exceptions: Column is straight, vapor exit is above a cooling coil.

"unpacked" column does some refluxing...as I can take off 85% initially. But I find as run continues, it exhibits the character of a pot still. On a 20 l wash, ABV is reduced 5-7 % for each 300 ml take.

When I packed the column with copper scrubbers...the reflux was much better. ABV held close to 85% througout. (in useable product)

I found no managent (very little if any) applying the external cooling function. I'm happy with it....I built it....and it performs "what" it was intended to do.

Once in application, CU will find some things to make it more efficient, as I did.

Packing with scrubbers makes a world of difference.

And your'e right....can't wait to get a "keg" boiler.

Hey FLquacker, 85% is great!! got to be happy with that..

I got a reflux and a pot still (use the same liebig though) will post some info soon.. next job is a doubler..

The reflux is for neutrals, but Im really fired up about the pot still.. I got UJSM and Whiskey and rum.. but I do like my vodka, and no hangovers is really cool..

I only got my first keg boiler a few weeks ago.. and I am a total convert... spent 10 times as much on bloody stock pots..

FLquacker wrote:Question...Why did you design it to have the vapor take-off below the cooling coils?

I would think (maybe my downfall) any reflux/condensing (in an open style column) would pass back down thru the vapor taking precious alc with it. A vapor take off should be above any reflux/condensing process???????

thats a great question, the vapor take-off can be flipped and the coils can be placed below the take off. In the current configuration any alcohol that condenses and drains back can be theoretically redistilled. I didn't sweat the top pipe to the 45 ell for that reason--- I figured I'd be able to seal it up with some flour paste. The top cap is removeable also. Eventually I will find/purchase threaded fittings so everything can be screwed together rather than slip fitted.

plonker wrote:Have you run it yet??

And I would recommend a 50 litre beer keg and a tri -clamp... so much cheaper and easier than bloody stock pots.. (I have wasted far too much money on stock pots..) you in Oz? or the UK?. no address please

nope I haven't ran it yet, still looking for a suitable boiler cheap enough---- I'm in the States -- upper midwest --- The Rust Belt..

Well there is plenty of guys from your neck of the woods that can help.. sorry I'm in Oz.. long way away..

looking forward to seeing how your first run goes...

here's a pic that show the pipe fliped so the vapor take off is above the coils...

I like it!! post your results.still learning on my potstill...

Interesting design but it looks more like a hybrid combination still somewhere between a Pot Still and a Vapor Management column to me... Without pushing enough cooling/reflux, you'll be losing vapor out the top unless you cap the top of the column... If you force simple reflux then you're headed into the VM realm...

I LIKE IT TOO!!!

My condensing column is WAY overkill.....it will be changed.

(it's initial design was for a HUGE boiler)

Leave the "cap" removalable like you have it, seal with biscuit if you need to.

I've found with mine....a vapor chamber thermometer will give you more "reliable" info. I got one.

Leave it if you want to (head thermo)....I did. I'll be running by "feel" soon anyway.

Many have feelings against the thermos.....guess it's one of those cultural thangs.

Your setup will run great....do a run, then pack the column with copper scrubbers and do another

Very beautiful job....