Home Distiller

This is what I built for running low wines to make neutral/gin/flavored spirits.
I pretty much used what I had in stock from other builds I had that were no longer being used.
I packed the column with 15 mm Siporax. This is my hope that it will behave close to SPP because 350.00$ is a lot cheaper than 2000.00$ for 15 mm SPP.
It’s a 26 gal boiler with 11KW completely controllable power, 58” x 4” packed column, (I would have loved more height but this is my ceiling height) option for Carter head before product condenser.
Following are some pics

This is the condenser stand

Building the condenser base

Awesome!! Looks great! How would the gin basket loop work? Won't the vapors condense on the way back up to the product condenser and fall back into the basket?

Sorry about the sideways pics guys

Mod Edit : fixed these for you Windy ... and the next couple .... from here on in , you can work put how to sort it

System has CIP for PC, Carter head in/out & packed column

oluf wrote: ↑Fri Nov 06, 2020 11:02 pm Awesome!! Looks great! How would the gin basket loop work? Won't the vapors condense on the way back up to the product condenser and fall back into the basket?

I originally had this on a still that had three side columns.
When starting up the Carter head you have some heat loss and get some condensate,hense the ball valve to drain down the Carter head. I would try and heat up the Carter head on heads.
You can isolate the Carter head two ways 1) turn up your deflag. (Great video from Larry at Stilldragon) 2) spin your three way valves
The second option is very dependent on the operator being very conscious of your operation

I have “remove before flight” on anything on all my stills that need immediate attention before I start up
I have built these stills but regardless I demand a code of safety and recommend that to anyone that follows. After all that is what HD is all about

Windy City wrote: ↑Fri Nov 06, 2020 11:34 pm

oluf wrote: ↑Fri Nov 06, 2020 11:02 pm Awesome!! Looks great! How would the gin basket loop work? Won't the vapors condense on the way back up to the product condenser and fall back into the basket?

I originally had this on a still that had three side columns.
When starting up the Carter head you have some heat loss and get some condensate,hense the ball valve to drain down the Carter head. I would try and heat up the Carter head on heads.
You can isolate the Carter head two ways 1) turn up your deflag. (Great video from Larry at Stilldragon) 2) spin your three way valves
The second option is very dependent on the operator being very conscious of your operation

Ahhh OK.... That makes sense. Thank you so much for responding!

Wow what an achievement, it looks like a mini distillery. Very good!

very impressive. just fantastic. is the column just packed? or do you have plates as well?

Wow! Looks awsome!

Setsumi wrote: ↑Sat Nov 07, 2020 3:52 am very impressive. just fantastic. is the column just packed? or do you have plates as well?

No plates on this column.
It is packed with 15 mm Siporax.
Next to this still is my 4-plate (bubble cap) on a Bain Marie
This still is strictly for vodka, gin and neutral

That is some seriously gorgeous hardware Windy

That is some serious copper work.

Very nice Windy

Beautiful.
Nuff said
SF

I am running a modified Shady’s sugar shine today.
Really love this rig. Just wish I had built the house with a taller basement ceiling Running at 35 amps and pulling 1.75 liters in just a hair over 12 minutes

Some more pics
This is the controller I built

Let’s not forget one of the most important items for your home distillery

A comfy rocking chair right in front of the still

First time checking out this thread, impressed Windy nice work!