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Help for a noob?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 3:03 pm
by cjnicho
Hi everyone,
I'm no stranger to brewing, but spirits is completely new to me - specifically distillation and flavors etc.
A friend recently gave me their still. Other than being able to assume that it's a reflux still (I can see the column is packed with steel wool).
Would anyone by chance be able to identify the still or shed some light on what the attachments and order of is likely to be? I need to get tube to be able to plumb up the thing, I'm just not sure where it would all go.
Do I need to check the wool in the column or would it be good to go?
Here's a link to the still: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B-03_VxFFOy_Z0g0VlhZU2NQRUE
I've only got the still(I have brewing equipment to make a wash), but I'm not sure if I'll need to get anything else like a filter for example. Any advice?
Any help appreciated, cheers.

Re: Help for a noob?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 3:16 pm
by Sparrow
Gday mate,

For a reflux you don't have to worry too much about flavours as they're more for making neutrals i.e. vodka. You can then add cordials to
Them for flavour.

What you can do is eventually get a pot still or like many a bubbler for making naturally flavoured spirits.

I can't see your pic so I can't tell you what you need unfortunately.

Re: Help for a noob?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 3:22 pm
by Doubleuj
Welcome mate, I've moved your post to the welcome centre as it's your first.
I'd be ripping the packing(wool) out and seeing what type of condenser is up the guts of the column.

Re: Help for a noob?

PostPosted: Fri Aug 18, 2017 10:06 pm
by Yurugaboy
Hi,
Take out the mesh and check the condenser type. You can always re use it or replace it with clean scrubbers. What are you going to try first?

Re: Help for a noob?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 9:27 am
by Sam.
Pull it apart and take a pic of the condenser in the top, that will help us know what you have and what you can do with it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Help for a noob?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 1:17 pm
by orcy
At least it has a nice long leibig. Most are significantly undersized if you wanna use it as a pot to strip.

There are lots of similar styled stainless still around. They all work ok for simple reflux work. Personally id just make a tpw or wbab was and run it to see how it goes.

Re: Help for a noob?

PostPosted: Sat Aug 19, 2017 5:59 pm
by cjnicho
Thanks for everyone's replies.

I'm not entirely sure what I'll make next. I'd love to make a gin, but I haven't gone so far as to looking how to do that yet, as I need to figure how this thing works :-)

I'll unpack the column in a few days and post photos.

Cheers!