Sanke Keg and Mile High Tower

[dondford]

I was gifted a Sanke keg by a local beer distributor and ill use it for my boiler and plan on purchasing a Tower from Mile High Distilling. I note that many of your guys do not modify the Sanke keg by cutting loading ports, install draining gate valves ect; do you fill the keg using a funnel and drain the back set by simply turning it upside down to drain? Any suggestions on the use of the Sanke keg as a boiler?

I am looking at the Mile High Mighty Mini Dual Purpose Tower http://www.milehidistilling.com/New_ref ... /16156.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow and the 30" Stainless Steel Distiller Tower http://www.milehidistilling.com/30_Stai ... /16145.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow They claim both can be in pot still or reflux mode. Advice her please

[Chiller]

Pretty much all the folks here use a keg boiler - there's no need for a loading port or drain valve as long as your still head/column is tri-clamped (search 'easy flange' for how to do this) - just take the head off then pour out your dunder, and wash with a hose.

As for the still - is it your first? If so I would very strongly discourage buying one, not only could you buy one later to realise you want to make a different drink/operate differently, but you can gain valuable experience and fun from making your own - thats what makes the hobby great for me, in addition to the far-superior-to-supermarket drinks of course

- Chiller

P.S Making a still will be cheaper too

[XD40]

This is the same idea i have. Mile hi (pot still head) and a sankey keg. Ive been on this forum for hours and hours the last week! When you get the still head (if in the next few days) let me know how it goes. I should have mine by Wednesday and make my first run Saturday if i think ive learned all i can for a first run by then! I'll let you know how it goes as well! Good luck!

[dondford]

XD40
Thank you for your post. I haven't actually order my tower yest but will in the next day of so. Which Mile Hi tower did you decide on? What recipe did you decide to go with for your first run. I am a total newbi as well, may be good if we c0mpare notes on our beginners efforts.

Don

[likkerluvver]

I was gifted a Sanke keg by a local beer distributor and ill use it for my boiler and plan on purchasing a Tower from Mile High Distilling. I note that many of your guys do not modify the Sanke keg by cutting loading ports, install draining gate valves ect; do you fill the keg using a funnel and drain the back set by simply turning it upside down to drain? Any suggestions on the use of the Sanke keg as a boiler?

I am looking at the Mile High Mighty Mini Dual Purpose Tower http://www.milehidistilling.com/New_ref ... /16156.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow and the 30" Stainless Steel Distiller Tower http://www.milehidistilling.com/30_Stai ... /16145.htm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow They claim both can be in pot still or reflux mode. Advice her please

Kegs make great boilers - lucky you having being given one. I bought one in which I am installing electric water heater elements.

Without getting into the buy/build debate, if you are buying a column I would advise getting a 3" column (and adapter for the 2" keg connection). It will halve the takeoff time of a 2" column (given sufficient heat input and reflux/liebig cooling).

My system includes this column:

http://www.brewhaus.com/Essential-Extra ... 19C96.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

It is in 2 parts; top only for pot-mode, both for reflux. - MileHi has similar columns. People seem equally pleased by both vendors and their products.

I'm delighted with the performance mine gives. Meanwhile I am taking it slow doing lots of research for future builds.

Happy deliberations.

[Bushman]

A funnel will work just be careful when you get to the bottom of your fermenting vessel, I fill my keg with a syphoning set up from the wash. It has a filter and I keep it off the bottom of the wash bucket. As far as cleaning after the run I just dump the remains and hose it out. If it sits a long time between runs then I use a cleaner I purchased at the brew store. I've never had a problem!

[XD40]

XD40
Thank you for your post. I haven't actually order my tower yest but will in the next day of so. Which Mile Hi tower did you decide on? What recipe did you decide to go with for your first run. I am a total newbi as well, may be good if we c0mpare notes on our beginners efforts.

Don

Just ordered the $109 pot still head. Im using the sweetfeed recipe. I will let you know how it goes this weekend!

[dondford]

XD40
I will be very interested in how your first run goes, looking forward to hearing from you and good luck!

Don

[steinsato]

Don, I am looking at the two exact towers you were. What did you end up going with and how do you like it?