Running a Boka column as a pot still

[Deerhunter]

I'm a bit confused about running the boka column as a pot still and reflux still. If I wanted to use the column as a pot still would I run it without the packing and remove the the top portion of the still. I was reading a thread here which said some builders put a tri clamp ferrule below the plates to remove the head, meaning the reflux plates and condenser. Once this is removed what would you put in its place?

[humbledore]

Leave the head on and just run the valve wide open.

[Deerhunter]

Thanks humbledore. Can the packing stay in as well? Also, even with the valve fully open, won't you still have some reflux going on?

[humbledore]

Yes you do. But I like it that way. Someone on here who owns both said that a wash that would yield them 120 proof on a pot still yielded 160 proof running in the boka with the valve open. You are getting reflux and only part of what is refluxed comes out. And the packing doesn't really matter. You can leave it in or take it out. I leave mine in. So I can still compress the heads before running it in pot still mode.

[Deerhunter]

Thanks for the clarification on that.

[Deerhunter]

I'm working on a 2" Boka Column. Would like to run as a pot still also. Was reading some threads on the size of the take-off line. I would like to keep it 1/4". I think a 3/8" take off would be to big in the 3/4" gap between the plates. Will !/4" be big enough to run in pot still or will it cause flooding in the column?

[ga flatwoods]

Deerhunter your confusion comes from a modular build being discussed that allows for a standard pot head still taking the place of the reflux coil. Mine has a 2 inch reducer to 1/2" over to a union then out and down to a standard liebig. Run your ujssm in boka with the valve wide open after allowing it to stack the foreshots and heads. And yes, I got 120 from the same mash on a pot with the boka running next to it drawing 160. Less volume but higher concentration of alcohol. The boka needs a small liebig on the discharge line to cool the distillant.
Ga Flatwoods

[myles]

@deerhunter, there are other reasons for increasing the size of the discharge line. Some folks experience surging with the 1/4" line but there is no consistency. Yours might work fine.
one thing is sure though. If you replace the head with a dedicated pot head it will run better than pot mode on the boka.

Your other option is a soldered boka head. In pot or stripping mode you CLOSE the LM valve, switch off the coolant, and take all the vapour via the atmospheric vent into an external condenser.

[humbledore]

I had a 1/4 take off. I replaced it with 3/8, mainly because the needle valve was a choke point, not necessarily the 1/4, when running as a pot still.

[Deerhunter]

Did you have enough space between the plates to drill such a large hole? I'm going with a 3/4" gap between plates.

[humbledore]

Yes I had room, my plates were closer to 7/8" apart. When I say 3/8, I mean copper coil straightened out. Soldered at the column, compression fitting to the valve. It's 3/8" OD, you should have no problem fitting it. It needs to go as close as flush to the bottom plate as possible anyway, so you can empty the plate. I just underdrilled the hole in the column a bit, so the fit was not sloppy, angled it down and soldered it.

[Deerhunter]

I think I will go with the 3/8" take-off. Here's where I stand, Just waiting to find the right solder to use.