Doubler?

[nasty9]

What is the best material for a doubler? I have seen some pressure cooker still that employ a glass jar as a doubler. Would I be safe in using say a pickle jar for a doubler on my five gallon pot still? If so, what should i use to attach the incoming and outgoing copper tubes?

[Uncle Jesse]

Glass will work but do you really want something that breakable handling high proof alcohol and vapors so close to a heat source?

[Dnderhead]

yes it would work id be afraid of braking it and i don't think the lid
would hold up putting on and off a 100 times , one of them 2 1/2
gal cony kegs i think whold make a good one

[kingearwig]

I saw on that scam website that I might as well not name since I can't remember the name.... but they had copper scrubbies in the doubler. is this recommended? my doubler is much bigger and my boiler is much smaller and it seems that I have to drive pretty hard to keep the level low. if I insert scubbies will have to drive more or less?

[Safegyde]

You don't need to use scrubs in your doubler since the primary function of the scrubs is to increase the reflux ratio in the first stage. When using a pot still you don't even need a doubler.....aka thumper. I use one on my pot still and I am putting off 160 proof on the stripping run. You need to determine whether or not you are needing to use a pot still or a reflux column. Determine what kind of drink you want to produce and get a still based on that. If you want a whiskey, for example, you don't want to have to much of a reflux or you might lose the flavor.

I use a large pickle jar myself for my thumper. Since I am cooking on an electric stove I don't have to worry to much about a flame up. Plus glass can withstand a lot of tempature without breaking (JUST DON'T PUT THE HOT THUMPER DOWN ON COLD WATER SITTING ON THE COUNTER!!) I don't even use a thermometer since I can see the bubbles in the thumper to help determine the btu output. You can only do that if it is made out of glass. I drilled two holes and inserted some rubber grommits and capped those off with some non toxic liquid steel stuff that can withstand temps in excess of 400 degress. (only on the top of the lid, just in case....)

[pintoshine]

I use an olive jar because it had a tall section above the threads. I made my cap from a brass clean out drain plug by cutting off the threads in a lathe. I then drilled and tapped for the appropriate pipe fittings.
I too have to replace my jar due to unfortunate cold water accidents. Other than that it is a perfect performer. I have said before, I have never duplicated the flavor profile the double gives. The separation of the tails at the end is something I have never gotten any column to do. It seems to catch the fusel oils better than distilling twice. Needless to say, twice through a doubling pot still is still the best whiskey that can be made. It took me 15 stills and 30 years to figure that out. Now if I ever get myself an all copper doubling still, now that would be a thing of beauty.

[kingearwig]

it has been a few days since I distilled my 16-17% turbo that I made. I did a stripping run with no liquid in the doubler and then distilled twice more and got it to 178 proof. Today I sampled it a bit diluted and it is by far the cleanest spirit I have made yet. I again can't wait until I do a quality wash. But the point is that my doubler is making me very happy!!

[Bsnapshot]

I have a question for you all. If you are using a jar lid and drilling hols for the pipe how are you keeping the lid on the pipe with out any vapor leaking out?

Safegyde: I drilled two holes and inserted some rubber grommets and capped those off with some non toxic liquid steel stuff that can withstand temps in excess of 400 degrees.

I thought rubber is not good for a still? What type of grommets do you use?
Any one have a photo to share?