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I have a Still Spirits Super Reflux still, the same model as this http://www.wineworks.co.uk/images/produ ... 78_742.png" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

It produces 80%ABV spirit from a 12%ABV wash. The condensor is packed with ceramic saddles like these http://www.gtp.com.au/brewcraft/mediumimages/50280.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Is there any cheap and easy way of improving the still to produce a more pure spirit? I'm not expecting 95%ABV spirit, but any improvement would be good.

ditch the saddles and pack it with mesh; do stripping runs first, then use sodium carbonate on the low wines; set up separate control for both product and reflux condensers.

kiwistiller wrote:ditch the saddles and pack it with mesh; do stripping runs first, then use sodium carbonate on the low wines; set up separate control for both product and reflux condensers.

Stainless steel pot scrubbers? How much stronger will the spirit be?

I'd use copper mesh if you can, and as for the % change you'll have to try it and see, but if you compare the more expensive models of that design to the one you have, you'll notice that is one of the differences.

Do you have any ideas as to what copper mesh is commonly used for, or what kind of shops sell it?

brew shops sell it.

I buy mine off of e bay. There are no brew shops near me.

some garden shops mite have it as it is used as a "rodent" control

I have removed the rings from the condensor and have replaced them with stainless pot scrubbers. At first the condensor was blocked, it got up to temperature but no alcohol was coming out. So I had to give the scrubbers a few tweaks at the start to free it up a bit so the alcohol would come out. Now the alcohol comes out at over 88%ABV, compared to 80%ABV before I added the pot scrubbers. I can't test the exact alcohol content because my trial jar is too short and the hydrometer bottoms out at 88%ABV. The alcohol also comes out much faster now, previously with the rings in place the alcohol would come out very slowly if the temperature was below 81°C, now it pisses out a constant stream of alcohol at 79°C all the way through the run. Not bad considering I only spent NZ$2.70 for a 8%+ABV+ improvement.

good to hear! I haven't read hard results of before and after before.

I got my mesh here: -hey-

http://www.wildlifecontrolsupplies.com/ ... ShowShip=1

Does anyone here know if the condensor on my still is made from copper or stainless steel?

SMOKEU wrote:Does anyone here know if the condensor on my still is made from copper or stainless steel?

I'll go out on a limb and say stainless steel because every other item they make is stainless steel...

It's hard to tell because it's painted black.

After talking to the guy at my LHBS, and upon further inspection, I have determined that the condensor is in fact made of copper. I have since filled it up with brass mesh from my LHBS. I am yet to test it out, I just hope that I didn't pack it too tight! I have bought a bigger hydrometer trial jar so I will be able to determine the strength of the spirit since I have made those improvements and I'll keep you all posted.

Wrap your mouth around it and breathe thru it
If you can't breathe neither can your still

SMOKEU wrote:I have since filled it up with brass mesh from my LHBS.

Brass...??? Are you sure it's really brass...???

Most brass contains a small percentage of lead which will leach out into your spirits in the presence of high temperature high proof alcohol vapor... Make sure you are using either stainless steel, copper, or glass structured packing, not brass...

they pack the essencia stuff with it too.

kiwistiller wrote:they pack the essencia stuff with it too.

Heck, I can get dumpsters full of brass and bronze lathe turnings... Even stainless... But I'll stick with 100% stainless and copper scrubbers, and my marbles...

rad14701 wrote:

SMOKEU wrote:I have since filled it up with brass mesh from my LHBS.

Brass...??? Are you sure it's really brass...???

Most brass contains a small percentage of lead which will leach out into your spirits in the presence of high temperature high proof alcohol vapor... Make sure you are using either stainless steel, copper, or glass structured packing, not brass...

I've worked for a few plumbers so I know what copper and brass look like. This has the shiny yellow colour that brass has, not the brown colour of copper.

SMOKEU wrote:I've worked for a few plumbers so I know what copper and brass look like. This has the shiny yellow colour that brass has, not the brown colour of copper.

And having researched here in the forums, and the internet, you should be aware that brass should not come into contact with high temperature high proof alcohol... If brass was safe then folks would be making stills out of chrome plated brass sink drain components... At that point you might as well use a fluorescent light tube for a glass column... Think safety...

SMOKEU wrote:

rad14701 wrote:

SMOKEU wrote:I have since filled it up with brass mesh from my LHBS.

Brass...??? Are you sure it's really brass...???

Most brass contains a small percentage of lead which will leach out into your spirits in the presence of high temperature high proof alcohol vapor... Make sure you are using either stainless steel, copper, or glass structured packing, not brass...

I'm wondering where these 'theories' about brass packing originated. It is true that brass to be machined may contain lead. Lead-free brass packing is ... well.. 'lead-free'. Isn't it? Surely 'Most' brass is not ALL brass!!
I'd be interested in a posting of the source of the assertion that high temp spirit will leach lead. I've been unable to find any validation.
Also, doesn't anyone filter/treat their spirit anymore. Treatment that is effective for spirit is a variation on treatments that are VERY effective at removing these metals from water. What I'm trying to say here is, if you use both mechanical and carbon treatment for your spirit - any lead, mercury, whatever ...... are removed

But - back to the real question "How to improve a Super Reflux" - Simple, sell it to a newbie and invest in a newer model

Or sell it and build a much better one than you can buy, more like it

grogrum, I don't know where you got the idea that simply filtering spirits will remove all of the toxins leeched in due to shoddy construction but that's not the kind of safety advice we give here in these forums... While you're welcome to practice such methods yourself, but I hope you won't, we can't condone your sharing such risky advice with our members and the general public who also visit this site... We'd rather side with caution than haphazard irresponsibility...

Hell, why not just build your still out of lead pipe and plastic if you're so sure you can filter the spirits and make them potable... That's, more or less, what you're implying with such a careless statement...

grogrum wrote:But - back to the real question "How to improve a Super Reflux" - Simple, sell it to a newbie and invest in a newer model

I don't think you are any better off yourself, perhaps you should take your own advice.
http://www.essencia.co.nz/Downloads/Express" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow Still Instructions.pdf



OD

hey,i use an essencia too,oh but maybe the difference is im not trying to say its the best out there. i wouldnt dare!!

Anyhoo...

they pack the essencia stuff with it too.

Kiwi,,do you mean that the essencia packing is brass also?Maybe i should go and source some other packing/mesh.I checked out that HB store you have mentioned before,that guy seems switched on.Might pop in there for a nosey when im back up that way,bugger was near there in the weekend just gone too.

marc83 wrote:hey,i use an essencia too,oh but maybe the difference is im not trying to say its the best out there

I have no quarms with the type of still that anyone uses as long as it is safe to use. But I do take exception at this statement.

grogrum wrote:But - back to the real question "How to improve a Super Reflux" - Simple, sell it to a newbie and invest in a newer model

when grogrums still and the one he is suggesting to sell to an unsuspecting noobie are virtually identical.


OD

yes i did also OD,i had to hold back from posting a reply of sorts.i dont think i can do that around here yet.had a bit of a grrrrrrrr moment.

olddog wrote:when grogrums still and the one he is suggesting to sell to an unsuspecting noobie are virtually identical.

To be fair there are significant performance increases in the newer ones - like 5-10% ABV increases. But yes, all of those look-a-likes pale in comparison to the simple bokakob.

Yes the essencia packing is brass. I'm not sure on the lead content, I upgraded before really becoming aware of the problem so haven't investigated. You could always delead it, but I'm not sure how it would hold up to the process.

Cheers Kiwi.will look into it.