New Distiller UK

[waylyn]

Hi Every one, I have been distilling for a couple of weeks ( a newbie ) currently using an essencia express 25lt reflux still from Aqua Vita which I bought second hand, and have already made 5 batches ranging from 86 - 92% in volume but wish I new about this forum before I bought anything although it's working fine I feel that there is a better unit waiting for me to find it. I am looking at either at the 8 Gallon Milk Can with new 2” DP one-piece tower from mile hi (if I can get it shipped over) or the turbo 500, maybe I'm still on the wrong track just looking for a reliable unit that'll turn out good spirit so any info and advice would be appreciated

[thepatchworkdoll]

Hey Waylyn no need to have one shipped. Build your own man much cheaper and probably better. Nice to see another Brit on board. Welcome,
Regards
Thepatchworkdoll

[waylyn]

Thanks for the reply patchworkdoll I would like to build one are there any plans you would recommend for a reflux still.

[LWTCS]

Try something here first:
http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =1&t=19711

This is a read only thread unless you have a contribution. Start a new thread or refer back to this thread if you have more talking points.

I'm thankin a Bok as it is low budget,,,simple and by all accounts,,,does a great job.

[merrick]

welcome nice to have another uk member where abouts are you? build a boka its an easy build and there are lots of photos and plans on the site. and advice is freely given as long as you have tried to find out for yourself and cant find or cant understand it but try and build your ownit will double your enjoyment.

[waylyn]

Cheers merrick, I am in south Wales looking for some info on which to build it's a minefield of info on here more confused now than when I started

[WalkingWolf]

Waylyn -- give us a bit more on your goals. If you prefer neutral/vodka type spirits then something in the reflux family of design vs. flavored whiskeys would be along the lines of pot stills. There are rigs that can "function" as both to some degree, depending on how it is setup and run. Fill in some of the blanks and see if we can't help you navigate the "minefield" a bit.

cheers

[waylyn]

Well at the moment I’m only doing the turbo stuff the alcotec stuff so neutral/vodka type is the norm, but eventually I would like to try some recipes off this site and others using grains of some sort and fruit or whatever takes my fancy. I looked at this: http://www.milehidistilling.com/New_ref ... /16155.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Was wondering if there is a plan for something similar available, and if so is there a problem getting the hardware, or am I barking up the wrong tree? and would this fasten to a UK barrel(don't even know if we have stainless steel barrels in the UK )Told you I was confused

[merrick]

in the uk stainless barrels are rare most are ally, i used a 25litre stainless tea urn with an inverted mixing bowl to mount my tower, get hold of 1.25 metres of 54mm[2"] copper pipe some 22mm ,15mm and 5 metres of 6mm[15 quid on e blag] a power controller [about 35quid e blag] a load of stainless pot scourers a few sundries,brush up your soldering and build one. i am in london but am from nr pontypool originaly.

[Chiller]

Ah, another one who can share in the sadness of huge shipping rates from America! Welcome waylyn - I think what you mean by stainless barrel is a keg, pretty much all kegs are stainless - try your local recyclers, pubs and whatnot, and if you don't have any luck then go to http://www.morrow-brothers.co.uk/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow just make up some reason for why you want it (I said it was for a garden project) and you won't have any troubles. A little dear at about £100 but better than any pot you'll find, and you can use it for any still you ever make.

I honestly wouldn't base what still I wanted to make from ones on internet sites. MileHi has good rep here so i don't want to shit on them, but remember that they are there to make money, and their knowledge isn't nearly as great as the guys on the forum. As Larry said, check the diagrams and plans thread, I would reccomend making the LM/VM combo that Samohon posted in black+white, it will work brilliantly for vodkas.

Btw, milehi is in the US ( you knew that didn't you? ) so shipping, let alone customs, will kill you

Anyways - nice to see another briton

[waylyn]

Thanks for all your replies, been busy this week but will be looking at getting a barrel and making LM/VM combo will keep you informed on progress, regards waylyn

[waylyn]

Just a quick one, my current still is a 25 ltr how much wash do you put in there at one time I was told by the guy I bought it from to put it all in the full 23 ltrs which is about what I get from the 25 ltr wash which takes it almost to the brim with about 2" of head room didn't seem enough to me but I am following the advise given, but then had difficulty in getting it up to temp, so I tried about 16 ltrs and it seemed to be more efficient (obviously not so much liquid to deal with) getting up-to temp easily and end product wasn't too hot so what method if any of these is correct, regards waylyn