feedback on pot still with thumper 'design'

[bulkhead]

*DISCLAIMER: by 'design' I in no way mean to appear like I am re-inventing the wheel or something; I am well aware that most anything that I think up in my head has probably been done, and even done again and/or done better.* I would say that my idea is a mish mash amalgamation of different ideas from this forum and them internets.

I am going the pot still/thumper/worm route because of the materials I already have on hand, and I also like the idea of making a still similar to how it was done by the ol' shiners back in the day. I mean, I won't be using a wooden barrel for a flake stand or anything, but something with an hint of design nostalgia will work. Since I already have a couple of 60qt SS stock pots laying around from brewing that aren't getting much use (I have a 100qt that I now almost exclusively use), I'm thinking for now I'll use the binder clip and everlasting gasket method, and after I've learned how to solder/braze with a MAPP torch and I'm confident that I've practiced enough, I'll get to soldering the SS mixing bowl to the boiler.

Here's what I'm thinking so far (and please feel free to pick it apart, still learning something new every day):

bayou classic propane burner (claimed 55,000 BTU) --> 60qt SS stock pot --> 13qt SS mixing bowl head/cap with binder clips/gasket --> 2" weldless SS TC --> 6" long 2" diameter copper cap arm/"column" (will solder/braze SS ferrule) --> 2" copper 90 elbow --> 18" long 2" horizontal copper lyne arm --> 2" to 1.5" copper 90 reducer elbow --> 6" of 1.5" copper as thumper inlet --> 1.5" FNPT copper adapter --> matching 60qt stockpot with lid (again, binder clips/gasket) --> 1.5" MNPT copper adapter --> 17" of 1.5" copper pipe to bottom of thumper (in the diagram it says 2 feet, that's referring to the total from the elbow above to the elbow below) --> 1.5" copper 90 elbow --> 8" of 1.5" copper pipe with tiny drilled holes as diffuser --> 1.5" copper end cap or plug --> thumper outlet 1.5" weldless SS tri-clamp --> 4-5" of 1.5" copper pipe as thumper outlet --> 1.5" to 1" copper 90 reducer elbow --> 1' of 1" copper pipe --> 1" to 1/2" copper 90 reducer elbow --> 20' of 1/2" soft copper coil tubing as worm condenser. Haven't thought about what to use for the flake stand yet, but that something will include some sort of bracket or wiring to ensure constant downward sloping spiral of worm. Likely a homer bucket with an aquarium pump recirculating cool water from bottom to top from a cooler initially, then maybe something more pretty down the line.

Any thoughts are appreciated!

full.jpeg

pot.jpeg

thump.jpeg

worm.jpeg

- bulkhead