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Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 12:15 am
by 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

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 1:36 am
by RevA
Nice! Copper or stainless steel?

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 1:38 am
by 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.

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 1:40 am
by dingodongo1976
Screenshot_20201120-154131_AliExpress.jpg

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 2:13 am
by Saltbush Bill
dingodongo1976 wrote: Mon Nov 23, 2020 12:15 am I have bought a 4 plate flute
RevA wrote: Mon Nov 23, 2020 1:36 am 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.
dingodongo1976 wrote: Mon Nov 23, 2020 1:38 am 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

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 2:36 am
by 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?

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 3:07 am
by 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.

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 3:44 am
by 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?

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 3:51 am
by 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

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 3:59 am
by dingodongo1976
I will have a read. Thanks

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 4:18 am
by 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.

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 5:10 am
by Saltbush Bill
Further questions need to be asked in another area of the forum.

Re: Hi all. Getting my first still

Posted: Mon Nov 23, 2020 6:12 am
by dingodongo1976
Ok cheers will do. Thanks again for everything so far.