fawlers boilers

[tinman2]

]was wonderin if anyone has used a fowlers preserving boiler as part of their still,i have a still that iv made from and old stove top fowlers and was wondering if this is safe to use,,
i could not seem to find any other references to people using them

[Sam.]

Moved your post here as it's your first so welcome mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Got a pic of your still? It will help us help you tremendously ;-)

[Minpac]

Is it the kind that is like a stainless urn that goes to full boil?

Probably doable to work it in in some way, but might be easier and maybe even cheaper to convert a beer keg to a boiler.

[tinman2]

no mine is an all copper boiler without the plug in heater eliment, i put it ontop of the stove,i get some starnge looks being open flame,but its safe,and i have sealed up the outlet for the water side jacket,

[bluc]

Outlet for water side outlet? Is it a bain marie boiler?

[PeterC]

I know the item you are referring to. Fowlers Vacola are still around. Nowdays they have electric thermostat heating but back in the day it was a big painted steel pot with a pocket on the side to put your thermometer. Before that the pot was soldered copper. I have an old one like in the shed that my wife found at her parents old farm. I don't see any huge benefit on a copper boiler but if it is free all good I think. So long as the lid seals tightly on top. Small boilers mostly have clamp down lids with silicone tubing around the rim to ensure a good seal. If I was using gas I would do what others on this forum have done and build a long leibig condenser that bring the distillate out cool and well away from the flame.

[tinman2]

yeah thats the one valcola fowlers, and yeah the side waterout let i covered up would be the thermometer gauge,my man question would be about the solder??? used on these i couldnt find any info sofar so iv re soldered it with silver solder for water pipes,,,,,,yeah the lid does not fit perfectly sealed on but iv taken to usein some white bread and wetting it and using that as my lid seal, works like a charm,,,

[scythe]

Well that sounds dangerous, i would not recommend you keep doing that.

[Sam.]

Well that sounds dangerous, i would not recommend you keep doing that.

:text-+1:

[A&O]

Solder melting point is approx 180c but as it is an old unit, the solder may contain lead. Something to consider.