Simple Still Design Any Good???

TryMe · Post by **TryMe** » Fri Jan 18, 2008 6:34 pm

I found this on another site and was wondering if it would indeed work for distilling "shine" I want to distill corn mash's for whiskey and things along those lines..I am really just getting into this and want something easy to build,, easy to use and something to learn from for the time being...I know there are a TON if different types of stills for every purpose imaginable...I just want to start simple...Like everything, with time and experience will come the growth of my knowledge and drive to build bigger better methods of distilling.SOOO will this still serve its purpose for a while?

Here is the link to where I found it in case anyone else is interested in looking at the instructions.

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-still/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

Here are a couple pics to give you the idea..

CoopsOz · Post by **CoopsOz** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:12 am

Mate, believe it or not, that is all that is required. Build it and have some fun.

Post by **HookLine** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 1:24 am

Yup, apart from maybe adding a thermometer, that set-up will do the job.

One small detail, make sure all the coils in the condenser are always sloping down, otherwise you can get condensate trapped in it and causing back pressure in the coil above it, which is not good. The bottom coil in that photo is a bit suspect, but it is easily fixed.

Also, not sure if that pressure cooker is aluminium. Debate about using aluminium boilers in a still is ongoing, but using a stainless steel boiler is definitely completely safe.

BTW, a number of the comments about that article on the site you linked to are ill-informed, such as using plastic in place of the copper. Ignore them, read here instead.

defcon4 · Post by **defcon4** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 5:58 am

Perfect learner still. Aluminum is safe, it just won't last as long as stainless, but that's for another thread. Anyways, a stainless pressure cooker compared to an aluminum pressure cooker only costs about $10 more.

BW Redneck · Post by **BW Redneck** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:11 am

It's almost exactly the kind I've been using for a while now. As soon as I can find me a nice keg, I'll build something similar to what Coopz has got.

All of the above comments are good. Be safe and have some fun.

TryMe · Post by **TryMe** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 8:27 am

Good deal....I will likely go with SS and scale this thing up a bit...I just needed to know for sure it was right in theory..Next question...They said to put cold water in the plastic bucket around the coils...How often is that water going to get to "warm" and need chilled back down??Could I just add ice cudes to cool the water as needed or should I place a valve on the bucket to drain and refill every "X" hours? Thx again.

Post by **theholymackerel** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 10:08 am

If yer coolin' bucket/barrel is bigger than yer boiler, you won't need runnin' water, or to change the water.

TryMe · Post by **TryMe** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:10 am

In comparison to the plans I posted a pic of where would the coil be on a still like this one?? Or is a coil even involved in this type of pot still?

punkin · Post by **punkin** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:23 am

The larger piece on the downward arm is a liebig condensor, you just can't see the connections well behind it.

That eliminates the need for a coil condensor.

defcon4 · Post by **defcon4** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 11:57 am

A much easier condenser from my experience

TryMe · Post by **TryMe** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 12:04 pm

Anyone have a link to detailed plans for making a liebig condensor???

tracker0945 · Post by **tracker0945** » Sat Jan 19, 2008 6:18 pm

theholymackerel wrote:If yer coolin' bucket/barrel is bigger than yer boiler, you won't need runnin' water, or to change the water.

I find that I need larger than my boiler size, but that could be because I'm using a liebig condenser instead of a coil.
Anyway, ice cubes are fine to help cool the water. If it feels hot to the touch or a bit of vapour is starting to exit your worm, remove a little water and replace with some ice.
Cheers.

TryMe · Post by **TryMe** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 10:32 am

Ok I looked at the plans for the liebig condenser and for a reflux head...Both seem to use a water cooling system...Will both require a running water supply to circulate fresh cooling water or does the water just fill a chamber on say the liebig and not need circulated or changed?Thx again.

RadicalEd1 · Post by **RadicalEd1** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 1:01 pm

es, the liebig condenser is a counter-flow condenser that uses running water to cool the inner pipe. It can be very efficient for it's size, especially if you have good control over your water flow rate.

Post by **Dnderhead** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 2:47 pm

All reflux stills need running water both four head and condenser
if your short on tap water use a barrel ,pump out of barrel threw
still and back to barrel ,someone uses bath tub then has worm bath
you can make air cooled condser but you whold still need water
four head

TryMe · Post by **TryMe** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:03 pm

That being said, if I dont mind running the batch through several times could I expect decent results using a standard copper coil pot still like the first pics I posted?

Post by **Dnderhead** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:17 pm

Most defanetly I have both But 90% of time run pot if i get something
really bad i will use reflux Just run as Minny times to get taste- %
i want I fiend 3-4 times four vodka

Post by **Dnderhead** » Sun Jan 20, 2008 6:42 pm

I should have added if you want flavored drinks whisky, heavy rum ,
brandy etc then id have to say pot still Much more control over
product