Home Distiller

Hello everyone been a beer brewer for many years, but the thought of Spirits was in my mind even before i started brewing beer since I am a Gin, Vodka, Whiskey guy.

Would would be a first good set up to purchase? Not looking to break the bank but would like something to learn on and then upgrade in a year or so. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks in advance

How handy are you?
Building from a keg and 2" copper and some ferrules is the preferred method around here.
No point in buying twice. Buy once, cry once.
As a HB, you likely have a source for a used 15 gallon keg. A trip to the local plumbing supply warehouse, and a handful of ferrules and clamps and you're all set.
If you must buy, inquire here with a picture of stills you're interested in, before dropping coin. There are some viable options out there, but many more that are just a waste of money.

Most would suggest a still at least 5 gallons as anything smaller makes cuts more difficult but not impossible. You can make all the above with either a pot still or a reflux still however many tools in your tool box can perform the task some tools are better than others. I make my gin final product in a pot still with a recipe that is a slight variation to the Odin’s Easy Gin Recipe found in the tried and true recipe section. Prior to the final run I make a neutral or close to a neutral with a CM still. Whiskey I also make with my CM still but run it faster than I would if I were making vodka. I don’t think I gave you a lot of leading advice but more to consider when making a decision.

Don't want to hijack OP's thread, but I'm in a similar boat. I'm not 'handy' at all and as a disabled vet, it's easier for me to buy things online than go to the store. I'm trying to decide between these two setups for making rum and maybe some flavored vodkas later on down the line...

https://milehidistilling.com/product/8- ... still-kit/

https://brewhaus.com/essential-extracto ... ine-still/

Auto - both those are fine plug-n-play systems, but you could probably find a cheaper route & make it "more" modular. Get a 1/2 keg, ask friends or your local mechanic if they know anyone that does metal fabricating/welding to add on ferrules to heat (2") & fill (6") your pot , & get some spools, dephlag, condenser, etc...

If you go with one of these systems, I'd lean towards the Brewhaus. I've read in various places that jacketed columns (water flows AROUND the column like is used on the MileHi) are not as efficient as reflux condensers/dephlags where the piping goes THROUGH the column. Also notice that the Brewhaus has a tri-clamp connection in the middle of the column, while the MileHi does not. This means the MileHi isn't that modular if you want to make even slight changes to the column design. The column, dephlag, & condenser are all one piece. It's $160 more, but check out the column on the "pro" version of the same still for comparison: https://milehidistilling.com/product/8- ... e-pro-kit/

Brewhaus also has a much cheaper voltage/SCR controller. I would call them about what the upcharge would be to add a 1.5 or 2" tri-clamp ferrules for the heating element. I've not seen/read good reviews on the band heater options they offer.

I've had good luck with the Kegland pot & reflux heads offered on a multitude of sites. I got mine from Williams Brewing which has free shipping over $99. The still head conversion kits themselves are around $150 & they clamp on to Digiboil, Brewzilla, & Grainfather boil pots. Packaged together with one of those pots & it's just ~$250 for a working still!!! Much cheaper price point that the Brewhaus/MileHi path, plus you can use those pots for beer brewing/grain mashing which you'll be doing anyway with any system you purchase. Heck, maybe you have one already since you said you already brewed beer. Add in a weldless 2" triclamp bulkhead to the still lid, and a 10 or 20" spool, and you have a modular system for just over $300. That's a great starter price-point in my opinion. Wish I'd done that instead of spending $200 on a 4L airstill... But I hold onto it for making small batches of gin or experiments.

In the end, up to you. But, read, read, read some more before you make a decision.

Duck