modifying my stockpot/still

Grid · Post by **Grid** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:13 pm

I have 2 11.5lt stainless steel stockpots.

I am thinking of cutting the base out of one and extending the height (and wash level)and welding the top pot to the bottom one.

This will sit in my electric fry pan.
I need more wash volume as i have a been using 1 11.5lt pot and have 21lt of wash to distill........very time consuming at only distilling 7-9lt at a time.
I understand it will still take time to heat 18-20lt (but i will get less heads and tails to).

Any advice or if anyone has tried it with or without success would be great to hear about it.

Thanks in advance
Grid.

Post by **Dnderhead** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 5:26 pm

it has Ben dun usually they turn one upside down on each other
but i do not think that fry pan will heat it

Grid · Post by **Grid** » Sat Feb 09, 2008 8:40 pm

Thanks for the reply Dnderhead,
One stockpots fits nice and snug on top of the other but needs to be welded.

The electric fry pan does a good job,it has a thermostat and takes about 1-1 1/2hrs to get it and keep it at 77-78c.

I wanted a electric heater as i am distilling in my small shed and have petrol in cans in there(lawnmower/slasher),(and hopefully alcohol)and didn't want any naked flame.So the electric fry pan is a good start.

Thanks again.

pintoshine · Post by **pintoshine** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 7:58 am

those stock pots are so thin that welding might not be possible. You could soft solder it just like copper with the correct flux. I use a mixture of zinc chloride in a hydrochloric acid that comes premixed from the industrial supply. It works exceptionally well for soldering stainless and I believe it would suit your purpose.

Grid · Post by **Grid** » Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:50 pm

Thanks for the info pintoshine,i will look into that when i get around to doing it.

thanks again
Grid.