Complete ULTRA simple still design.

[Whiskeyinthejar]

I know I know this question must have been asked a million times, but mine may have a twist. I am looking for complete design plans for a utterly simple still, don't care what kind, has to be quick and easy to make. Not talking bout huge quantities of liquids here, but also I am a welder and can solder. And have lots of bits and bobs laying around, can anyone direct me? Thanks everyone!

[Coaster]

@ Whiskeyinthejar,

Why don’t you take the effort on your part to actually look around the Forum? An excellent place to start is the “Must Read” New Distiller Reading Lounge thread titled ‘Diagrams and Plans Thread’. The Distillation of Spirits sub-forum also has Diagrams and Plans threads.

Giving you a heads up concerning the distilling hobby - There isn’t anything “quick and easy” about distilling.

Regards,
Coaster

[Whiskeyinthejar]

Sorry I did look around but to be honest I got overwhelmed looking around forums. I am having a tough time with my brother sick in hospital and I just thought there would be a pdf or something there I could work on to take my mind off this stuff, wasn't looking for quick and easy in the way you imply.

[just-a-sip]

your not going to find a quick simple PDF, there are so many variations of stills and 100's of designs your best bet is to do a little research and decide which one works for you first off. are you making whiskey, rum, vodka? will you be going electric, stove top, or gag burner? will it need to be modeler or permanent standing? all of these will factor in to which design to go forward and how to make it.

so you see just asking a broad statement such as will you give me the design, will only lead you to harassment. But i will tell you that just a few minutes searching in this thread will give you a lot of ideas, and as a skilled welder it shouldn't take you no time to wip one up...

however this will bring you to the next issue of knowing how to run it and how to make the wash. there is much reading that you are about o begin if you want to make anything drinkable. so the shirt cut of asking wont work no matter how you look at it. my suggestion is to start in the safety section and work your way down through all the sticky's

[Washashore]

Here's a very simple design.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 5#p6736005

Just use a stainless steel kettle instead of aluminum. Very simple and easy to build.

[Prairiepiss]

It can be overwhelming just starting out. But there are many things you should know before you start your build.

First things first. You need to decide what you want to make? Whiskey, Rum, and brandy will all benefit from a pot still build. If you are wanting a vodka or a neutral a boka slant plate is a nice easy reflux still to build.

But you would benefit from knowing more about each. Because there isn't a set of plans that you must go buy. They can be altered to suit your situation. That's where the research comes in. If you do a crap ton of research before your build. You will know what can be altered to suit your needs. Like can I make it taller or can I make it shorter? What will it do if I do make it taller or shorter?

There are some good plans and threads around here. For a pot still you can't beat Samohon's pot still plans. In the plans and diagrams thread. For a boka there is a good build thread in the new distiller reading lounge. And in the wiki. But I can think of at least 8 threads in the new distiller reading lounge that should be read before deciding what still to build. Truthfully all the threads there should be read multiple times. And I'm not trying to be a hardass but you will read a thread then the next and another and something in that thread makes it click in your head about something you read in the thread before. So if you go back over it. Then something else clicks about this thread over here. On and on and on.

Good luck take your time be safe.

[Whiskeyinthejar]

Thank you Washashore, I can make a start on this today. I don't mind if I end up making five. I just want something to do anyway and have loads of materials (like flexible copper tubing) laying around waiting to go out to as scrap.
thanks for replies, sorry for not being more specific but this is exactly what I wanted. I will be just messing around with it (to learn) already know how to make the wash, I have been brewing beer and wines etc for over 10 years, but there is a local recipe for the wash. but for first use i will try a high alcohol turbo yeast, thanks all

[Coaster]

.....i will try a high alcohol turbo yeast.....

@ Whiskeyinthejar,

Your “I will try a high alcohol turbo yeast” comment is exactly why Forum Members encourage novice new comers to do Forum research.

If you do this Forum research you will find that Turbo Yeast is an absolutely poor choice. Turbo Yeast cause undesirable flavor and aroma in the alcohol sprit product.

Suggest visiting the Tried and True Recipes which are known proven recipes that produce excellent results. When reviewing the Tried and True Recipes note that none of these recipes use any Turbo Yeasts.

Also before jumping in and attempting to build any Still strongly suggest “Slowing Down” and visit the “Must Read” New Distiller Reading Lounge and review the postings there. This will give you a good back ground on what is evolved in the Distilling and perhaps by reading/reviewing and researching you will find a particular Still that meets your needs and desires more that the Still you originally thought you wanted to build.

Regards,
Coaster

[Whiskeyinthejar]

hi coaster, i dont mind if i build 10 stills, i am using turbo yeast the first time to practice i do not mind if it goes down the toilet, its only going to cost me $5? i am already half way there with that still design and having great fun, are you just here to disagree? other peoples comments were helpful and specific to the questions i asked. anyway. best of luck.

[NineInchNails]

A basic pot still would be the best place to start. That usually consists of a stainless steel keg, some copper pipe and a few fittings. Most people use 2" copper pipe, a 90 elbow and begin reducing down to the condenser. A condenser can be a Liebig condenser or even a worm. Pot stills are typically used to make flavored spirits like whiskey, rum, etc...

A reflux still can be attached to the same keg or you could get one of those pony kegs that are 1/2 the size of a regular beer keg. A reflux still is more complex than a pot still and there are many different designs out there to follow. An example of a basic LM (liquid management) still would be the Boka. You should have no problem finding plans for that one ... it's very common. Reflux stills are used to make neutral spirits (odorless, colorless and tasteless ethenol (vodka).

There is quite a bit to learn about distilling. Never quit reading.

[LWTCS]

To date,,,,Coaster has never argued with any member. Coaster is simply quite matter of fact.
But he did offer a sound recommendation.

No matter. Good luck and do the best ya can.

[blind drunk]

i am using turbo yeast the first time to practice i do not mind if it goes down the toilet

May as well make it your sacrificial likker run. Don't forget the vinegar run neither -

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=15489

[rad14701]

Whiskeyinthejar, I'll go out on a limb here and say that you're trying to rush into this hobby too fast... If you think you're overwhelmed now, just wait until you actually try running that still without knowing what the hell you're doing... Sure, you don't like being told to put the brakes on and do some research but we don't really care... We tell you what you need to know, not what you want to know... Think about it... You're here to learn, aren't you...??? Then learn... You're not the first new member who has an attitude like a guy on his first hot date with both balls screaming "Me First!"... Take it to heart when I say "Slow Down!"...

[Whiskeyinthejar]

I have years of brewing knowledge lads, I don't know what the fuss was bout with my question. I have made this basic still with great success actually, and the first things I put through it were brews of wine etc that didn't go so well, just to see if I could get alcohol out! I am only messing around and learning on the job, my intention is to make a few stills, as a plumber/fitter I love making things like this, I will make another one soon. I just wanted to have a bit of fun! And thanks to this basic design I did have fun! I will learn as I go along, and I will sit and read but just not now! Thanks everyone! Eventually when I have the knowledge required I will make the good stuff. But let me do it my way. Thanks everyone!

[rad14701]

Whiskeyinthejar, my old high school band teacher had the same attitude when he built and attempted to fly his own airplane... Several of us questioned the methods to his madness throughout the build but he was certain he knew what he was doing, or would figure it out as he went... I have wondered more than once just how many times his family has watched their home videos of him crashing to his death shortly after taking off for his maiden flight...

On that somber note, good luck...

[boingk]

On the odd chance that the original poster is still here, I would recommend the following basic ditsillation setup:

Buy a 4 gallon pot with lid, stainless preferred. Glass lid is ok but stainless is best.

Also buy at least 12ft of 1/2 inch copper pipe, and a 6 and 15 gallon drum.

The copper tubing is bent in 8 inch wide coils and then up and around, so the coils will fit in the 15 gallon drum you bought. The bottom of this drum is then drilled for the pipe and the pipe fitted/soldered in there so all coils are on a downward slope and no distillate will catch in there. Test with water.

The other end of the pipe is fitted/soldered to the large pots lid through a drilled hole. The pot lid is simply placed on the pot and sealed with flour/water paste. The paste cooks as the vapor heats it and effectively seals the pot lid to the pot while you are running the still.

The 6 gallon drum is to ferment your wash in. Make sure it is easily cleanable - plastic pails with clip on lids are excellent for this.

So, all up you have a pot... with a 12ft copper coil running from it... that sits in a 15 gallon drum of water... which cools the distillate going through the coil... and enables you to process your alcohol vapors.

Easy? Yeah. Now get to it!

- boingk