Still Construction Options
Posted: Tue Jul 23, 2019 9:07 pm
Hi all,
I'm after some advice on my best way forward with my first still construction project.
I'm primarily interested in making flavored spirits (whiskey and rum), but also want to be able to make neutral and infusions. After some reading, I decided that a modular CCVM style still on a keg boiler would be my best option for achieving both.
After scrounging scrap yards I was only able to get 2 pieces of 500mm long 3" copper pipe... Until yesterday, when I got a 2.3m length of 2" copper and a 2.2m length of 4" copper... now I'm not too sure what to do with my windfall.
Option 1: Make a 2" pot still head and shotgun condenser, and start practicing. Leave the 4" pipe and any reflux requirements until I know more about what I want. (Concerns: may be wasted work/copper if I decided to upgrade soon)
Option 2: Make a 4" CCVM modular still with a 2" shotgun condenser. (Concerns: could be overkill for a beginner, 4" accessories are big $$$)
Option 3: Use the 3" copper pieces for the CCVM head to reduce cost, use the 4" for reflux column, and 2" shotgun condenser (Concerns: would this work? would it result in a reduced take-off rate over the straight 4" build?)
I don't want to rush into something I'm not happy with or can't effectively use yet, but I also don't want to waste time resources on something that I quickly outgrow.
In addition to the pipe, I've also sourced...
- The keg boiler and started refurbishing it.
- One 4" tri-clamp, ferrule and end cap to use as an access port for the boiler (not welded on yet).
- Three 2" tri-clamp unions (ferrules, clamp, and PTFE gasket) which I was intending to use for a shotgun condenser, and the keg Sankey to column connection.
Any suggestions or advice from experienced distillers/builders would be welcome.
I'm after some advice on my best way forward with my first still construction project.
I'm primarily interested in making flavored spirits (whiskey and rum), but also want to be able to make neutral and infusions. After some reading, I decided that a modular CCVM style still on a keg boiler would be my best option for achieving both.
After scrounging scrap yards I was only able to get 2 pieces of 500mm long 3" copper pipe... Until yesterday, when I got a 2.3m length of 2" copper and a 2.2m length of 4" copper... now I'm not too sure what to do with my windfall.
Option 1: Make a 2" pot still head and shotgun condenser, and start practicing. Leave the 4" pipe and any reflux requirements until I know more about what I want. (Concerns: may be wasted work/copper if I decided to upgrade soon)
Option 2: Make a 4" CCVM modular still with a 2" shotgun condenser. (Concerns: could be overkill for a beginner, 4" accessories are big $$$)
Option 3: Use the 3" copper pieces for the CCVM head to reduce cost, use the 4" for reflux column, and 2" shotgun condenser (Concerns: would this work? would it result in a reduced take-off rate over the straight 4" build?)
I don't want to rush into something I'm not happy with or can't effectively use yet, but I also don't want to waste time resources on something that I quickly outgrow.
In addition to the pipe, I've also sourced...
- The keg boiler and started refurbishing it.
- One 4" tri-clamp, ferrule and end cap to use as an access port for the boiler (not welded on yet).
- Three 2" tri-clamp unions (ferrules, clamp, and PTFE gasket) which I was intending to use for a shotgun condenser, and the keg Sankey to column connection.
Any suggestions or advice from experienced distillers/builders would be welcome.