Home Distiller

Hello everyone. As many before me, I've been a long-time reader but have just recently gotten serious about putting action behind my aspirations. I've been a home-brewer for the past 10+ years, slowly moving into an all-grain electric BIAB set-up that works just right. Since I've got that set-up in a good spot I figured it was time to embark on a new passion and take my hooch making skills to the next level.

I'm currently working on a design for a 2" x 48" sectional boka column under a 12" head with a 8" cold-finger wrapped coil, sitting on an old beer keg. All sections, including connection to the Boiler, will be using a 2" SS ferrule's and tri-clamps. I'm still working on the heat design but would probably go with two 1500W elements powered by a digital control panel similar to my home-brew set-up. The 48" column will be split into two 24" sections, (ferrule's and tri-clamps), allowing me to break it down for easy storage/transportation. The detachable head will allow it to be directly mounted to the boiler for stripping runs and/or a whiskey/gin run.

I'll likely pop in to threads here and there as I try to get my head wrapped around everything. The incredible amount of wisdom and experience here is appreciated, so thanks in advance for your help.

Welcome to HD Myndgame,
Sounds as if you have done some homework and have a good plan. I split my column also with ferules and tri-clamps allowing me just to change out my CCVM head and put on my dedicated pot head so my liebig is still in the correct position for collection.
Keep us posted on your success. Enjoy the ride

Myndgame wrote: I'm currently working on a design for a 2" x 48" sectional boka column under a 12" head with a 8" cold-finger wrapped coil, sitting on an old beer keg. All sections, including connection to the Boiler, will be using a 2" SS ferrule's and tri-clamps. I'm still working on the heat design but would probably go with two 1500W elements powered by a digital control panel similar to my home-brew set-up. The 48" column will be split into two 24" sections, (ferrule's and tri-clamps), allowing me to break it down for easy storage/transportation. The detachable head will allow it to be directly mounted to the boiler for stripping runs and/or a whiskey

Welcome in...
You will find the spoonfeed thread in my signature...it will be a good starting point for you.
Your plan and design are good...
The only thing I would see as an issue, are your choice of heating elements.
2X 1,5 KW are 3 KW total...most distillers that run a keg, would go for a 5 or 5,5 KW element (faster heat up).

What kind of likker do you like? If you mainly like whiskey the boka is not what you want. But if you really like neutral then the boka is one of the tools for that.

Danespirit wrote:

Myndgame wrote: The only thing I would see as an issue, are your choice of heating elements.
2X 1,5 KW are 3 KW total...most distillers that run a keg, would go for a 5 or 5,5 KW element (faster heat up).

Thanks for pointing that out as it's the last area I haven't researched in great depth yet. In my brew-kettle I have a http://www.amazon.com/Camco-02963-Screw ... B000BPG4LI controlled by a PID and SSR set-up. I guess I hadn't seen anyone mention using that size element yet but it's nice to know that it's an option.

pfshine wrote:What kind of likker do you like? If you mainly like whiskey the boka is not what you want. But if you really like neutral then the boka is one of the tools for that.

I like them all too much to sway one way or the other. I figured the boka was the best place to start and have frequently read that the boda could be used for gin/whiskey without the column/packing.

Do you disagree?

Myndgame wrote: and have frequently read that the boda could be used for gin/whiskey without the column/packing.

Do you disagree?

While you can eat cereal with a fork and bash a screw in with a hammer they are not the right tool for the job. Same with the boka for whiskey and other flavorful spirits just not the right tool so you will get subpar results, but it can still be done. I built one and promptly tore it apart and cannibalized it for another build because I like whiskey. Simple solution for you would be build your boka and a pot still for flavorful spirits till you want to build something nicer like a bubbler.

GrassHopper wrote:Welcome to HD Myndgame,
Sounds as if you have done some homework and have a good plan. I split my column also with ferules and tri-clamps allowing me just to change out my CCVM head and put on my dedicated pot head so my liebig is still in the correct position for collection.

Thanks GrassHopper. I'll dig around and try to find some pictures of your build.

pfshine wrote:

Myndgame wrote: and have frequently read that the boda could be used for gin/whiskey without the column/packing.

Do you disagree?

While you can eat cereal with a fork and bash a screw in with a hammer they are not the right tool for the job. Same with the boka for whiskey and other flavorful spirits just not the right tool so you will get subpar results, but it can still be done. I built one and promptly tore it apart and cannibalized it for another build because I like whiskey. Simple solution for you would be build your boka and a pot still for flavorful spirits till you want to build something nicer like a bubbler.

Well, I've actually eaten cereal with a fork AND bashed a screw in with a hammer so I guess this is the right direction for me.
With that, however, this build was just to get my feet wet. I've already come across some nice bubbler builds that I know will be next on the list. I considered skipping the boka and going straight there but figured I needed to understand the principles behind what I'm doing before I move into that realm.

Myndgame wrote: I've already come across some nice bubbler builds that I know will be next on the list. I considered skipping the boka and going straight there but figured I needed to understand the principles behind what I'm doing before I move into that realm.

You have the right mindset for this hobby...rushing things is never good.
May I suggest you start with a simple pot still..?
It will give you some basic skills needed for distilling and also deliver a nice flavoured drop like whisky.
Further, if you plan on building a reflux still at a later point, it will be perfect for stripping runs...(with a plated column you won't need this option, though).
Weighting ease of build, costs and ease of operation, it's hard to beat a pot still.
Could be a perfect start on your new hobby..
Btw...that Camco element you linked to is what a lot of guys in here use for their keg stills,a good option for going electric.

+1 on starting with a simple pot still to gain experience... Cheaper to build and easier to learn practical application distillation with...

Stubborn as I am, now that three wisdom-ed pro's are against my plans I suppose a pot is good advise. I'd already scored a good deal on 57" of 2" pipe so I figured the boka was meant to be... I've got a few days before my electric supplies arrive so I'll sidebar my current plans and research pot designs.

Danespirit wrote:Btw...that Camco element you linked to is what a lot of guys in here use for their keg stills,a good option for going electric.

On the element, whilst searching for mounting options, (my brew-kettle is open-top so I used a weld-less set-up), I called Brew Hardware and was told that many of the Camco elements are prone to rust and because of that he was selling a SS version on his site. I ended up going with the SS Element that he sells. I don't think my brew-kettle element has any rust but all things considered I erred on the side of caution. Figured I'd throw it out there for anyone else using that element.

On to pot still research...