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Is this hole through the boiler a East Tennessee design?

I'm researching a method to distill on grain. That doesn't require a jacket for a Bain Marie style boiler. I will soon be starting my copper pot build and I'm digging to find all options.

While skimming old newspaper articles I noticed local moonshiner busts that all had one thing in common. This hole through the still for propane/ heat to be above the grain. Has anyone tried this or know anyone using a design similar?

I will add that I searched here and didn't come up with any answers. I really don't even know what to call it.

Design Engineers in training? Not sure how to respond to those photos!

East Tennessee explains it all? Lol

Cheers,
Jonny

Early pellet/ember screw feed controllers.

I think popcorn had a design like that in one of his books

Chauncey wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 5:27 pm I think popcorn had a design like that in one of his books

Yes he used the design as well.

I've seen that design in pictures before too. If you watch the Moonshiners show a guy build a still wit the hole in the lower half as well. (I know it is not an education show, but I do find it entertaining). I've not found the design name though. I would think it would help prevent scorching though.

WithOrWithoutU2 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:03 pm I would think it would help prevent scorching though.

Ya that's why I'm intrigued by the simplicity of design.

My plan is to build an all copper still. A Bain Marie in all copper to match would be an additional $500.00 in copper.

A 3" hole through the bottom third of the boiler would be much cheaper. A propane pipe burner can be diy'd for a heat source.

looks like a horizontal Kelly kettle. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelly_Kettle

SmokyMtn wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:20 pm

WithOrWithoutU2 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:03 pm I would think it would help prevent scorching though.

Ya that's why I'm intrigued by the simplicity of design.

My plan is to build an all copper still. A Bain Marie in all copper to match would be an additional $500.00 in copper.

A 3" hole through the bottom third of the boiler would be much cheaper. A propane pipe burner can be diy'd for a heat source.

There's only one way to find out for sure
Just a thought, all those stills are designed to boil a sugar wash
I don't think it would work as good with a boiler full of corn mash.
I figure the corn mash would stick to the fire tube and want to scorch.


Here's a few ideas on how it's done for brandy making copper stills
I figure the ideas and designs would work for making whiskey.
Notice how fast and easy it is the empty, clean and refill the stills.
Then compare how difficult it would be to do the same with a moonshine style of boiler.

viewtopic.php?f=16&t=76359

My guess is its easier to plonk it straight on the ground and light a fire in it than make a fire proof support that can hold a couple tun of liquid .

would prob cut down on heatup time and fuel needed as well.
but yeah, I think yummy is on to something

Yummyrum wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 9:54 pm My guess is its easier to plonk it straight on the ground and light a fire in it than make a fire proof support that can hold a couple tun of liquid .

So you think it's for structural integrity? Hadn't considered that option.

shadylane wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 8:43 pm

SmokyMtn wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:20 pm

WithOrWithoutU2 wrote: ↑Tue Jul 07, 2020 7:03 pm I would think it would help prevent scorching though.

Ya that's why I'm intrigued by the simplicity of design.

My plan is to build an all copper still. A Bain Marie in all copper to match would be an additional $500.00 in copper.

A 3" hole through the bottom third of the boiler would be much cheaper. A propane pipe burner can be diy'd for a heat source.

There's only one way to find out for sure
Just a thought, all those stills are designed to boil a sugar wash

Some folks will tell you that moonshiners of yester year used all grain. The cost and availability of sugar wasn't possible. Then others will say sugar washes were all that was used.
Honestly, I figured these stills were designed for all grain. None the less, they're peculiar.

Depends on year. Durin the war sugar was rationed.
In 70 somethin there was sugar shortage.
Dependin I'd be betin they was cookin juice two.
If they was makin a livin I doubt they was working off what they was cookin in. They was dipin it out then they was strainin. If them was scorched ain't no way to clean it worth a dam an if you makin likker to get gone it don't get gone scorched.

So I'm tole

Look up Lancashire Boiler.

Geoff

The Baker wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 7:29 am Look up Lancashire Boiler.

Geoff

That sure looks like the inspiration. Thanks for the help.

I figure a likely way it was used was to sit the pot on the ground
Stick a stove pipe in one end of the fire tube
Stack bricks around the pot to make a fire box so the flames burned around the sides and the heat had to go through the fire tube to get out the chimney

shadylane wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 2:31 pm I figure a likely way it was used was to sit the pot on the ground
Stick a stove pipe in one end of the fire tube
Stack bricks around the pot to make a fire box so the flames burned around the sides and the heat had to go through the fire tube to get out the chimney

Yep.
Same kind of ( theoretical) system that is used to render down cane juice in Columbia (or there abouts).
Heating chase running thru the center(ish) of the kettle charge.

That one looks like it got a dog set up or a burner in it.

So I'm tole

goose eye wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 2:59 pm That one looks like it got a dog set up or a burner in it.

So I'm tole

Kinda does don't it?
The way them scortch marks run up the outside like that.

Anybody got an idea about the burner design?
I wonder if it was powered by propane or a liquid fuel such as kerosene

shadylane wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 6:11 pm Anybody got an idea about the burner design?
I wonder if it was powered by propane or a liquid fuel such as kerosene

I was guessing a propane pipe burner, easy to source parts. Atleast that's what I planned on using.

shadylane wrote: ↑Wed Jul 08, 2020 6:11 pm Anybody got an idea about the burner design?
I wonder if it was powered by propane or a liquid fuel such as kerosene

If it's old, I would say wood.

Geoff

Bottom look like a propane cylinder in back ground. Don't see no stove pipe in none of em but don't mean they won't usin em. That ole boy in background with toothpick is the one to be leary about in that county. Chances are the one with the dog set up was cookin with wood an maybe kerosene . imagine tater would know more about what was used in that area .

So I'm tole

goose eye wrote: ↑Thu Jul 09, 2020 6:43 am That ole boy in background with toothpick is the one to be leary about in that county.
So I'm tole

How so goose?

Don't know. Just talkin out of turn.

Wonder why that first one was strapped on the roof of car instead of back of truck.

None of em do you see likker. Ain't none of em got pick ax marks.
A lot more questions than answers

So I'm tole

Update:

I live about 30 mins from Cocke County Tn. So I went and spoke to Digger from the show Moonshiners at his brew store. He and Mark used the same still design in a couple of shows I seen.

Digger said that the inventor was actually a former Sheriff. It would have been in early to mid 50's. It was and is fired by propane to start. Then switch over to high pressure gasoline. He said it would double the btu's. I didn't get a chance to ask how they pressurized the gas. None the less sounds dangerous.

He also said it does a really good job of not scorching grains. And you could scale this down to 30 gallons.

So long and short this does appear to be something that started in East Tennessee. You may have an opinion of him or the show. But I was after the origin of the still not how to make likker.

Could be why Marvin burned down his shed an got caught.

So I'm tole

More than likely. He said the gas line was prone to leak after heavy usage. Just a guess, sounds like rubber. None the less not a good idea. Propane would be fine, but not gasoline.