Home Distiller

After the cleaning and the sac runs were done, last night I got to run my new toy for the first time on something that I plan to keep. (cleaning and sac runs were done last weekend)
I had a still charge of about 15L of 10% All Bran plus 2L of striped All Bran from a previous pot still run. I chose to keep the units in Liters since most of our calcs. are in Liters. (KISS)
After my heads cut I have about 1.8L at about 92% airing now as I type. I think I did about a .3L cut for heads and fores.

The only thing that I am not 100% happy about on the performance of the still is that in 100% reflux I get a drip every few seconds maybe five seconds out of the liebig. This suggest that there is some minimal bypass of the RC. I'm not really sore that this is enough for me to even worry about rewinding my coil for. (Using a SS gas line coil)
I did play with the heat and the water some even after I thought I had it dialed in during reflux just to see the changes. I have enough power to get the column in what sounds like a flooded condition (gargling sound in top of column) still no vapor coming out of the top of the column Only way to learn how to drive this thing is to see what it can do.

Anyway after playing I let the column equalize for about 15 min before pulling heads and fore at a few drops per second. At this point my temp gage was at about 169F.
When the temp gage started to move and the taste of heads started to go away I equalized again for 5 min before starting to pull harts and tails.

The hearts run was nice and smooth my temp gage rock solid at 170F , collecting in a nice thin stream at about 92%. When my temp gage started to move ever so slightly and the collection started to slow to a broken stream I knew I was into tails (tails taste came now to) also ABV fell to around 89%.
I did another 5 min equalize and collected till collection slowed again and called it a night.

All in all this was a good first run and I am pleased with the results

Any feed back is always welcome as well as any questions I can answer.
Cheers.

That's about how mine runs. I get some drips out of the PC if pushing an aggressive reflux (fluidized bed for Skow). My RC is only a single wound copper coil. Been thinking its time for a double helix or I might try a little more scrubber down the center of the coil.

Also getting 92-93% at a good take off rate. Sometimes I'll equalize again at tails, sometimes not depending on how late it is. Currently running 1.5" but slowly getting the parts I need for 2".

Yea Keg mine is a 2 inch column and I would say that my take off rate is real good. Still learning to drive it but I'm happy so far.
I think the ss gas line coil is the way to go.

Had a small sample tonight diluted down to about 50% percent with a splash of 7-up. Not too bad if I do say so myself.

followed your build thread, and now this first run! I am still trying to decide WHAT to build for my first Column. I have a 1/4 barrel on order, just like yours for my boiler. I will be installing a 2000 watt electric element in it for heating.

Tell ya what, if you want to build a better one, with better COIL..Id BUY this first one from you!! seriously.

Or, would you put together a shopping list of the parts you used to put your column all together. This looks EXACTLY like something I could do.

Great job!!

Hey Fly
I got the whole 100% reflux thing fixed when I made a change to my outgoing water line. The original hose wanted to collapse when it got hot.
100% reflux is nw no problem.

The supplies were:
2 in copper for column
2 inch 90
2 to 1/2 reducer
4 stainless ferrules (sanitary fittings)
3 2 inch tri clamps
1/2 inch union
60 inch csst gas line for reflux condenser

Now this isn't a detailed list but if you compare it to the build thread you should be able to get there

all the rigid is Type M, i would guess? And lead free, silver soldered at all the joints?

where do you pick up the stainless ferrules? Local DIY have those?

Actually it is type L.
I removed some stock from the ends where the ferrules fit and pressed them in. (no solder required)
I used lead free plumbing solder and water soluble flux.

nice! Would you be willing to post a few pics of your complete column setup..maybe some close ups of your condensation arm and such? Also, not sure I follow how the top of your column is sealed off, with the input/output of your Reflux Cooling coil up at the top. So you can pull out your RC and just cap the top or what?

So when the refllux coil is in place it condenses the vapor and nothing passes, when I want to run in pot mode I just put a cap on the top. That's why there is a ferrule on top, so I can just use a tri-clamp cap on top.
I dint have any real close up of the liebig, but it is just a standard liebig attached with a 1/2 inch union

cool...didn't know that...so when the reflux coil is in place, the top is actually open?? on the one I purchased, it has a reflux coil as well, but the top is still completely closed.

Different kind of still.