HbPs' double retort potstill build.
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- Hillbilly Popstar
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Here's a picture of the initial mock up of the still.
Everything is here except for the 1.5" 5psi prv. I was short the 1.5" tee and one 1.5" tc. It came in a week later.
Everything is here except for the 1.5" 5psi prv. I was short the 1.5" tee and one 1.5" tc. It came in a week later.
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Took me a couple days to get everything all soldered up.
But my soft solder skills have improved greatly. Plus all the copper TC fittings made things way easier. So I feel like I whipped this suckered together with confidence.
Here's how my skills progressed.
First thumper addition: And here's the most recent work:
But my soft solder skills have improved greatly. Plus all the copper TC fittings made things way easier. So I feel like I whipped this suckered together with confidence.
Here's how my skills progressed.
First thumper addition: And here's the most recent work:
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
So everything but the stainless welds is done.
I can use the set up as is.
It's gonna be a little while till I can find time to get with the welder who's gonna help me tig the stainless.
I did all my vinegar and sacrificial runs 2 weeks ago and did my first rum run yesterday.
Oh... I also added a thermometer
I dont use the thermometer to make my runs, but I do find them useful to know when it's time to turn in the cooling water and when the run is done.
I can use the set up as is.
It's gonna be a little while till I can find time to get with the welder who's gonna help me tig the stainless.
I did all my vinegar and sacrificial runs 2 weeks ago and did my first rum run yesterday.
Oh... I also added a thermometer
I dont use the thermometer to make my runs, but I do find them useful to know when it's time to turn in the cooling water and when the run is done.
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
This run was an all Panela rum. 2 days into fermentation I infected the ferment with about 2 gallons of live dunder.
The still was loaded as such:
Main boiler:
14 gallons of 8% panela wash
1st Retort:
2 quarts of rum tails plus 2 gallons of fresh panela wash
2nd Retort:
A gallon of rum heads plus a gallon of fresh oanela wash
The first pint from this run smelled so good from 6ft away it made my mouth water and the proof weighed in at 178 proof.
The still was loaded as such:
Main boiler:
14 gallons of 8% panela wash
1st Retort:
2 quarts of rum tails plus 2 gallons of fresh panela wash
2nd Retort:
A gallon of rum heads plus a gallon of fresh oanela wash
The first pint from this run smelled so good from 6ft away it made my mouth water and the proof weighed in at 178 proof.
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Sure didn't take long for that shotty to gather a patina.
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
I also upgraded my fire situation.
Out with the old. And in with the new! And let me tell you! This 10" banjo gets scary hot. It can drain my 7.5 gallon propane can in a half day easy with a 30psi regulator. The 2" shotty from Twisted Brick will handle EVERYTHING this burner can throw at it.
Out with the old. And in with the new! And let me tell you! This 10" banjo gets scary hot. It can drain my 7.5 gallon propane can in a half day easy with a 30psi regulator. The 2" shotty from Twisted Brick will handle EVERYTHING this burner can throw at it.
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
I can't keep my hands off of it.Deplorable wrote: ↑Sun Apr 10, 2022 3:22 pm Sure didn't take long for that shotty to gather a patina.
My wife told me to stop playing with it or I might go blind.
I dont think she's talking about the moonshine.
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
So all that's left is to add a 6" filler neck and a 2" TC drain valve ferrule to the main boiler.
Plus each of the 5 gallon retorts is getting the 2" neck replaced with a 6" TC ferrule for attaching the 6-2" TC dome reducers. Each retort is also getting a 1.5" TC ferrule, also for drain valves.
However, after spending a little time driving this new girl, I fear I severely underestimated how much extra propane it would take to push steam through 2 thumpers. (Or maybe is the bigger banjo?) but as of now a 13 hour spirit run will damn near drain a 7.5 gallon propane keg.
So I am thinking of adding a couple extra 2" TC ferrules for later conversion to electric.
Plus each of the 5 gallon retorts is getting the 2" neck replaced with a 6" TC ferrule for attaching the 6-2" TC dome reducers. Each retort is also getting a 1.5" TC ferrule, also for drain valves.
However, after spending a little time driving this new girl, I fear I severely underestimated how much extra propane it would take to push steam through 2 thumpers. (Or maybe is the bigger banjo?) but as of now a 13 hour spirit run will damn near drain a 7.5 gallon propane keg.
So I am thinking of adding a couple extra 2" TC ferrules for later conversion to electric.
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
I like it HP. Nice build.
I recommend you add the tails to the main boiler rather than the first retort, unless you like a little tails in your rum. Just my personal preference.
I recommend you add the tails to the main boiler rather than the first retort, unless you like a little tails in your rum. Just my personal preference.
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
I do like the early tails before the oils really start coming over, but that isn't why I did this gs this way.
I was really just trying to follow suit with what I've been reading for traditional Jamaican potstilled rums.
However, I think it's safe to say I have no idea how to run a rig like this and I have LOTS of experimentation. To do in my future. But for me, that's the funnest part!
But the rum I made yesterday is pretty good if I may toot my own horn. I only hope it gets better from here.
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
I was wondering what you were gonna do with all those parts in your post on oak stills.
All I can say is dayuuuuum!!!
All I can say is dayuuuuum!!!
It seems that discussions about alcohol percentage out of your still are remarkably similar to the MPG of your truck.
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Hats off to you Hillbilly , thats awesome .
Your soldering sure has improved
I’m envious of that setup you got going there .
Keep us informed of your trials . …. and early Rum does smell good . … even if its too headsy to drink , I love the smell of it too .
Your soldering sure has improved
I’m envious of that setup you got going there .
Keep us informed of your trials . …. and early Rum does smell good . … even if its too headsy to drink , I love the smell of it too .
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
+1 HbPs
Nice looking build.
Now it'd time to learn how to drive it.
Nice looking build.
Now it'd time to learn how to drive it.
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Thanks for the kind words fellas.
In hindsight, here's the couple things I wish I had done differently.
1. I hate how close the first retort sits to the fire. I was using some DWV 1.5" pipe that was gifted to me, so I only had so much available. I wish I would have measured the 2 thumpers and made the 2nd lyne arm just long enough to connect them sitting right next to each other. This would allow the extra copper to be added to the 1st lyne arm, allowing for a little distance between the burner and the 1st retort. I figure this would also allow the 1st retort to help preheat the 2nd retort. This is easily fixed by adding short piece of 1.5" pipe to the lyne arm later on.
2. I didn't think ahead and measure the offsets coming off each column head. So now I have to set it all up with the kegs offset so the lyne arms line up, or they get set up at all kinds of weird angles. I mean, this doesn't effect performance at all, it's just an aesthetics thing.
In hindsight, here's the couple things I wish I had done differently.
1. I hate how close the first retort sits to the fire. I was using some DWV 1.5" pipe that was gifted to me, so I only had so much available. I wish I would have measured the 2 thumpers and made the 2nd lyne arm just long enough to connect them sitting right next to each other. This would allow the extra copper to be added to the 1st lyne arm, allowing for a little distance between the burner and the 1st retort. I figure this would also allow the 1st retort to help preheat the 2nd retort. This is easily fixed by adding short piece of 1.5" pipe to the lyne arm later on.
2. I didn't think ahead and measure the offsets coming off each column head. So now I have to set it all up with the kegs offset so the lyne arms line up, or they get set up at all kinds of weird angles. I mean, this doesn't effect performance at all, it's just an aesthetics thing.
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Very cool build, would you mind linking the PRV?
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
HbP, if the PRV in the link is the one you have, you might want to rethink its suitability. The one listed in the link is 1 Bar, (14.5 PSI) which is really high. I wanted a PRV no higher than 5PSI and because of the cost I went with a manometer.
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
It is adjustable. Upon ordering the PRV you tell them what pressure to set it to and they preset it before shipping. I got this one set to 5 psi.Twisted Brick wrote: ↑Mon Apr 11, 2022 8:28 am HbP, if the PRV in the link is the one you have, you might want to rethink its suitability. The one listed in the link is 1 Bar, (14.5 PSI) which is really high. I wanted a PRV no higher than 5PSI and because of the cost I went with a manometer.
Although, I want to test it. Who knows what those Chinese set it to.
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Holy cow, this came together nicely I love the attention to detail using all of those 90 elbows. Great work!
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Ah, good to know. I thought I read earlier you said it was a 5psi valve. Can't take safety for granted.Hillbilly Popstar wrote: ↑Mon Apr 11, 2022 8:53 am
Although, I want to test it. Who knows what those Chinese set it to.
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Love this double retort still and glad the OakStills parts worked out well!
Cheers!
-j
Cheers!
-j
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i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
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i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Nice rig! This is the same setup your wife posted on FB the other day, right?
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
ThomasBrewer wrote: ↑Mon Apr 11, 2022 10:08 am Nice rig! This is the same setup your wife posted on FB the other day, right?
Yeah
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
I am curious to the actual size of the cleanout port on the main boiler.
I just picked up a new keg and would like an 8 inch port, but I am not sure if it will fit.
Did you have any issues installing your ?
I just picked up a new keg and would like an 8 inch port, but I am not sure if it will fit.
Did you have any issues installing your ?
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
I haven't installed mine yet. Life has gotten hectic lately so this project had to get put on the back burner for a bit.
However, I'll say that after dry fitting my 6" neck, an 8" would be a tight fit. Keep in mind that by the time you add the width of the flange and the tri-clamp itself, a 6" is actually closer to 8" wide. It must be installed so that there is enough room between the clean out and the boiler neck to get your tri-clamps on and off.
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"
Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Kick assHillbilly Popstar wrote: ↑Sun Apr 10, 2022 3:03 pm Here's a picture of the initial mock up of the still.
20220326_165609.jpg20220326_165621.jpg
Everything is here except for the 1.5" 5psi prv. I was short the 1.5" tee and one 1.5" tc. It came in a week later.
20220401_132550.jpg
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
True thatChauncey wrote: ↑Tue Apr 26, 2022 3:45 amKick assHillbilly Popstar wrote: ↑Sun Apr 10, 2022 3:03 pm Here's a picture of the initial mock up of the still.
20220326_165609.jpg20220326_165621.jpg
Everything is here except for the 1.5" 5psi prv. I was short the 1.5" tee and one 1.5" tc. It came in a week later.
20220401_132550.jpg
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Love the urban south and parish kegs.
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Great work, HBP. I'm glad the 2 retorts worked out for you. Have fun with the experimentation on driving it.
SF
SF
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Re: HbPs' double retort potstill build.
Appreciate the kind words friends
"Making likker with a hydrometer and thermometer is like measuring the length of a 2x4 with a clock"