Boiler size for gin

[Tōtōchtin]

I have collected a lot of equipment that's filling up my work space. I am leaning towards a 10lt ss milk can but having thoughts of a 20 Lt to help with cuts. I want to experiment with recipes of whiskey rum and gin using this boiler. If the consensus is the cuts would be the same I am leaning towards 10lt.
Tōtō

[tommysb]

Hi Toto,

Could you be more explicit in what you are asking? I think the title of the post is a little confusing to me!

For gin, you won't make so many cuts in the traditional sense, unless you are making your own neutral.

If you are asking if it's easier to make cuts for whiskey and rum on a 20L boiler than a 10L boiler - then I would say yes. But you also need to make bigger ferments to fill it.

If you are trying to fill a barrel - a 20L boiler will get you there faster.

Also making a 10L ferment vs a 20l Ferment is a similar amount of work, and so is a 10L vs 20L distilling run.

The plus size of a smaller boiler is that you can do more experimentation in your recipe development. Although for Gin, I would suggest something like a 1-2L pot as you do recipe prototypes.

So, for gin, smaller is probably better. For Whiskey and Rum, bigger probably better. That's my take on it, your priorities may be different!

[NZChris]

If you scale the size of the cut jars, doing the cuts should be just as easy for any size still.

A still around a third to a quarter of the size of your main boiler is handy for doing spirit runs from one strip.

A dedicated gin still and condenser doesn't get contaminated with fusels, so there is no need to go to a lot of trouble to clean them before running gin.

[Tōtōchtin]

Edit: Deleted a double post

[Tōtōchtin]

If you scale the size of the cut jars, doing the cuts should be just as easy for any size still.

A still around a third to a quarter of the size of your main boiler is handy for doing spirit runs from one strip.

A dedicated gin still and condenser doesn't get contaminated with fusels, so there is no need to go to a lot of trouble to clean them before running gin.

Hola NZChris
No I've read the larger a whiskey/rum wash the easier to find your transition points. With gins and other botanical based washes I figure it would even be harder. It's a 20 dollar price difference between the 2 sizes. I have a 59lt boiler and 2 thumpers for my whiskey and rum. I just want to experiment with my rye/corn ratio and Panel/molasses to vinegar.I can make an extra lyne arm/Liebig for the gin with the parts I have lying around.
As always I thank you for your replys.
Tōtō
I also have a 4 plated flute or 60" packed vm column for neutrals. Looking for a chunk of copper to make my Carter head. Seems to be a hard item to find here. I want to try some dragon fruit in it this summer.

[NZChris]

I've read that too, over and over, which probably makes it the consensus, but I have done very small experimental runs without any difficulty, so I don't go along with it. I scale the volume in the cut jars so that I take off the same number of jars as I would if it was a full-sized spirit run.

[OtisT]

I agree with Chris on this one. I’ve had no problems with whiskey or rum cuts when scaled down on a small stills, when I also scale down the collection jar size. Cuts turn up at the same place in the run and the yield is the same percentage.

I also scale down the power by boiler volume.

[MooseMan]

Toto I would suggest you put together a really small still for gin, I mean like 5lt capacity or less that will fit on your stovetop.

I've done 2 of these now, for me and a friend, and I've just been asked to do another.

A stock pot, a riser and a tiny Liebig is easy and cheap.

Then for your other experiments, go for the 20L size for sure.

[Demy]

I have a mini boiler of about a liter for small batches of gin or other botanical essences.. in my opinion the secret to running small batches and managing the power... the smaller the boiler the more you have to slow down with the output of the product. .. I could be wrong but this is my experience.

[OtisT]

I have a mini boiler of about a liter for small batches of gin or other botanical essences.. in my opinion the secret to running small batches and managing the power... the smaller the boiler the more you have to slow down with the output of the product. .. I could be wrong but this is my experience.

Agree with you 100%. If you don’t scale the power down for small boilers, it smears the run.

Not doing this is likely why some folks say they have a hard time making cuts on small stills.