Looking to pick up my first still and want to get some input before I pull the trigger on anything. The idea is to buy once, cry once. Get something will be big enough for my needs out of the gate and likely won't want to upgrade shortly later. I was thinking a 50 Liter still would be good enough for me. These 50L stills range from about $1500 - $3000 on the high end (depending upon features/materials).I'm mostly a brandy lover...so going for the all copper pot still route. I have to admit, I like the looks of some of the stuff I see coming out of China -- and from what I read, the quality also seems to be there for some of these.
If you don't mind:
Can I PLEASE get your candid/honest input on these three stills? Would all of these work well for Brandy? Any design that is more preferred?
Any input you can share about any of these designs and considerations I am missing would be appreciated.
Additional questions:
- For whiskeys and Brandy'sm does it make a difference, having the boiler also in copper? Or can I go stainless with the boiler and copper everywhere else?
- All of these come with 110v heating element. Will a single 110v 60hz electric heating element be sufficient for 50L stills like these?
STILL #1 With or Without Gin/Fruit Basket? $1400-1600
STILL #1 IDEA: Larger diameter onion head of 8" and shorter length 4" Arm (down to 2" condenser)
STILL #2: $1600
STILL #2 IDEA: smaller diameter 4" onion head connections
STILL #3 $3000 (expensive)
STILL #3 IDEA: Following is the dimensions FYI (unit: mm):
- Copper head: Ф51-102*500 mm
- Copper condenser: Ф51*500 mm
OR GO MORE TRADITIONAL!
Or if I should scrap these and go for a more traditional all copper still (with thumper perhaps)? Something like this? (I have limited room so this one looks even harder to deal with)
https://www.copperstillco.com/shop/p/15-gallon
Thanks for your input. Much appreciated!!!