first run on 3" boka (aka delilha)

[cotton mouth Samson]

Well I finally got the chance to get my much anticipated first cleaning run and sacrificial run done today it went very well cuts were very easy to make by temperature I ran 5 gal of birdwatchers at 12% and got a half gallon at 180 proof and about a pint at 110 I would like to thank everyone here for the help I don't think I could have done or it wouldn't have gone as smooth if I wouldn't have found this forum oh and it's really disappointing that I can't drink it but I'll have another wash ready in about a week

[Jkhippie]

180? That's clearly 177!

Seriously, though, that's not bad for the first run. Can't say much about the still, however, because it seems there was a UFO hovering at the top of your column when you snapped that pic.

[cotton mouth Samson]

Here's a better picture

[pounsfos]

oh yup the old SPP (spiral prismatic packing)

was wanting to try tyhat stuff out myself

Still looks good

[ga flatwoods]

Damn dude! 3 propanes, 5 kegs,two yellow fermenters, a BOP, two grain mills, pear wine fermenting, and a potato cannon! What you been up to? You kight be a stiller! LOL! Use what you made today for parts cleaner or something, firestarter for that stove maybe!
GA Flatwoods

[salinenative]

Good to hear that you got those runs under your belt
Each time you run, you will learn the nuances of your still and will be producing product you can be proud of!

[Jkhippie]

Looks really good. Couple of questions...

Out of what did you make your plates?

What spacing did you use between them?

[rad14701]

My neck hurts...!!!

That setup should do the job just fine - if you can keep the wash from running out in that orientation...

[kaziel]

That packing is not SPP. There's a reason why this is called prismatic packing. Shape is different and I thing wire diameter must be around 0.3mm. On my native forum there is a good thread about this. Packing SPP style should be triangle and twisted and that really makes a difference. Springs like that are cousin reflux tunneling - so I'm told. Still nice setup. What was the take of speed?

[cotton mouth Samson]

Jk I spaced the plates 2 in apart and used a piece of 2 in copper pipe flattened out I didn't notice the potato gun in the pic until GA said something that thing is a blast once I get my wood stove in I'll have plenty of fire starter ready

[cotton mouth Samson]

I know the packing isn't true spp but I made it out of old wire it seems to work really well my take off speed was just under a broken stream

[kaziel]

Hope I didn't sound like a hater with my comments on SPP . Could you be more specific like ... 2l/h .

[cotton mouth Samson]

I would say it was about 1.5 Lph

[bearriver]

My project is a 3" boka as well. Congrats on your build! You should feel accomplished. Like you, I have only done cleaning runs. I keep making small changes, and pushing back actually making spirits.

What are you hoping to make with your new hobby? Besides the obvious.....

[cotton mouth Samson]

Well I really enjoy a good vodka and that would be ideal but I think I would like to try to make a really good rum also one of my favorites im currently working on a pot still for stripping runs and whiskey

[bearriver]

Well I think your on the right track. Im researching different bok mods now and their benifits/cons.

I saw a bok in a reading lounge pdf that was vm, lm, cm, and a pot still combo. (Not sure how practical or functional it would be) That paticular pdf also has pretty much every design variation in between.