Hi all. Getting my first still

[dingodongo1976]

Hi, I have been reading in the background for a while now and finally decided to take the plunge and buy a still. I have bought a 4 plate flute still so I'm looking forward to that. I just have a couple of questions. I like to drink vodka and have found the more expensive stuff makes for a better next day.

Mod edit : removed question

[RevA]

Nice! Copper or stainless steel?

[dingodongo1976]

It stainless with copper bubble caps and plates. I'm just worried that I will just end up making drink that give a bad headache.

[dingodongo1976]

[Saltbush Bill]

I have bought a 4 plate flute

I like to drink vodka

If you wanted to make vodka you would have been better of buying a proper reflux still.
All is not lost though , buy or make a 1 meter packed section for the 4 plater....add copper mesh packing, lava rock or SPP for packing.

I'm just worried that I will just end up making drink that give a bad headache.

That will depend on how good you are at making cuts, if your not greedy you should be able to make booze that is almost hangover free, much much cleaner than any commercial stuff. See Below.
https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 15&t=11640

[dingodongo1976]

Yeah I did alot of reading after I ordered it and though the same thing. I just presumed that because the vodka companies were using flutes that would be best but it doesnt seem the case. Would you use a packed section instead of the bubble plates or as well as? Were do you get lava rock from? Does it have to be a specific one?

[Saltbush Bill]

4 plates and packed section is the way to go, lava rock can be found in garden centers and will probably need to be sized by you.
Others will probably give more and better details as Ive not personally ever used a packed section on a 4 plater.

[dingodongo1976]

When using a flute still do you get it upto temperature then take off the 4 shots or do you take off the 4 shots at the lower temperature then bump it up after that?

[Saltbush Bill]

You can NOT control temp so forget that idea. Do not listen to You Tube rubbish that might tell you that you can.
If you read the following link and read the whole thing you will begin to understand some of the theory of why.
Different still but the same thing applies.
https://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtop ... 1#p7639841

[dingodongo1976]

I will have a read. Thanks

[dingodongo1976]

So am I right in saying the 4 shots sits at the top of the column above the heads? So when the reflux is slowed down the 4 shots is the first out always? As it's more volatile.

[Saltbush Bill]

Further questions need to be asked in another area of the forum.

[dingodongo1976]

Ok cheers will do. Thanks again for everything so far.