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Newbie intro

PostPosted: Thu Jul 04, 2019 9:34 pm
by Radnelac
Hi all I'm only new to this forum & looking for advice on what still I should invest in.
I'm considering the T500 as it seems quite popular as an intro still & has the option of both reflux & pot stills.
I am mainly wanting to produce neutral & eventually try my hand at making tequila + whiskey from scratch.
Any advice is welcome & I am looking to produce quality product not just quantity "acceptable booze".

Cheers & beers
Luke

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Thu Jul 04, 2019 10:48 pm
by Milky
Hi there and welcome.

I started out making neutral from a Pure Distilling Copper Reflux still. It definitely served me well and I would prefer this one over a T500 but there are plenty on here that the T500 works fine for.

If you were keen to build, making your own reflux still, then spend some time in the newbies corner reading on what type would be best, and read some builds.

Best of luck and again, welcome.

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 4:32 am
by scythe
Just a word of warning about the t500:
- it is not a pot still.
Reflux certainly, but everyone I've heard using the t500 as a pot still has developed a leak due to the plastic in the t500.

It can make quality with a few mods and run process.
Most people also quickly out grow it rather quickly once they get into the hobby.

But as milky suggests reading is necessary/encouraged for you to find what will suit your needs.

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 7:07 am
by Doubleuj
Gday mate, welcome to the forum, check out this link to the five star store and their 2” boka. This will suit you much better than a t500.

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 7:53 am
by woodduck
Hi mate welcome to the forum :greetings-waveyellow:

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 9:06 am
by Carol
Hi Radnelac
Welcome to the forum - lots to read and learn. I have recently bought a 2"' FSD boka and am learning how to run it. Happy to answer any questions within my limited newbie experience.
Cheers Carol

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 5:23 pm
by Radnelac
Hi all thank you for making me feel welcome & the advice given :handgestures-thumbupleft:
I think I'll steer clear of the T500 & after doing a bit of searching take Milky's suggestion on a Pure Distilling kit as it looks as though it can be used as a reflux or pot still (with the right parts of course). If I'm wrong on that please correct me. 5 Star are currently out of stock of the 2" Boka as well.
I'm definitely glad I jumped on here before buying a T500 that was recommended to me by a work colleague, he just produces neutral & adds flavouring to it which he is happy with but that's not what I'm looking at doing long term but for now reflux will suit me just fine to learn the ropes.
Lots of reading to do between now & buying the still which won't be until,after I get my tax return back :happy-partydance:

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Fri Jul 05, 2019 7:31 pm
by Doubleuj
Ignore the out of stock message on the FSD website, call Andrew he might have a boka on hand

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 12:52 am
by Radnelac
Hey Mr DJ,
Would I be better off with a boka or a Pure Distillng setup ?
I'm mainly looking at producing neutral for a while but want to elevate to pot stilling down the track as well & thought the Pure Distilling setup looked good for an entry level to both reflux & pot in the one unit.
Please tell me if I'm wrong in thinking this.

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 6:41 am
by Milky
Radnelac wrote:Hey Mr DJ,
Would I be better off with a boka or a Pure Distillng setup ?
I'm mainly looking at producing neutral for a while but want to elevate to pot stilling down the track as well & thought the Pure Distilling setup looked good for an entry level to both reflux & pot in the one unit.
Please tell me if I'm wrong in thinking this.



If I had my time again, going with some 5star kit would be my preference. Call Andrew as suggested by WJ

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 7:33 am
by Doubleuj
The FSD boka can be run as a pot still and will last a life time :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 8:07 am
by Andrew
Doubleuj wrote:Ignore the out of stock message on the FSD website, call Andrew he might have a boka on hand

Bad news, and good news.
Sorry to disappoint guys but at this point in time we are out of stock.
But, we have 10 units coming in the next week or 2.
A few have been pre-sold so if your interested best get in ASAP.
Cheers

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 2:06 pm
by Carol
'The reason that I bought the FSD boka is the flexibility to run it as a pot still if I want to and the build quality is excellent.

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 6:46 pm
by Arismac
Doubleuj wrote:Gday mate, welcome to the forum, check out this link to the five star store and their 2” boka. This will suit you much better than a t500.


After owning a T500 since BEFORE I found this forum I can only say +1.

I am replacing my T500 column and condenser with a Boka. Just perhaps worth mentioning that you will still need a boiler. Perhaps the T500 boiler only are available?

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 7:08 pm
by Arismac
Doubleuj wrote:The FSD boka can be run as a pot still and will last a life time


Tell us more, please. How do I run my (soon to be) new Boka as a Pot Still?

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sat Jul 06, 2019 7:42 pm
by bluc
You will need a product condenser on the output..not included..also need to remove the needle valve and put a blanking cap up top...then move cooling lines from the rc(boka coil) to the product condenser..

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:59 am
by Carol
Hi Mac
I have been advised (but have not yet tried it) that my Boka can simulate a pot still by reducing the amount of water to the cooling tubes. Ask Andrew about that.
Cheers
Carol

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 9:22 am
by woodduck
To run as a pot still all you would need to do is remove the packing and run it with the outlet tap on full so all vapor that condenses comes out and not back down the colomn. You will need a power controller for a spirit run.

I don't think you will need any extra condensers but I may be wrong, I haven't seen a 5star one.

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 9:44 am
by Andrew
Carol wrote:Hi Mac
I have been advised (but have not yet tried it) that my Boka can simulate a pot still by reducing the amount of water to the cooling tubes. Ask Andrew about that.
Cheers
Carol

Correct, but be careful not to slow the water to the point that vapour is escaping out the top.

woodduck wrote:To run as a pot still all you would need to do is remove the packing and run it with the outlet tap on full so all vapor that condenses comes out and not back down the colomn. You will need a power controller for a spirit run.

I don't think you will need any extra condensers but I may be wrong, I haven't seen a 5star one.

This is the way to do it coupled with a little less water in the cooling coil.
.
Or, buy the 2 x 2" bends and the 2" condenser, associated clamps and seals etc
Pull the head off the Boka and attach the above and you have a perfect 2" pot still :-B

Re: Newbie intro

PostPosted: Sun Jul 07, 2019 8:29 pm
by Radnelac
Andrew wrote:
Carol wrote:Hi Mac
I have been advised (but have not yet tried it) that my Boka can simulate a pot still by reducing the amount of water to the cooling tubes. Ask Andrew about that.
Cheers
Carol

Correct, but be careful not to slow the water to the point that vapour is escaping out the top.

woodduck wrote:To run as a pot still all you would need to do is remove the packing and run it with the outlet tap on full so all vapor that condenses comes out and not back down the colomn. You will need a power controller for a spirit run.

I don't think you will need any extra condensers but I may be wrong, I haven't seen a 5star one.

This is the way to do it coupled with a little less water in the cooling coil.
.
Or, buy the 2 x 2" bends and the 2" condenser, associated clamps and seals etc
Pull the head off the Boka and attach the above and you have a perfect 2" pot still :-B



Cheers for all the info everyone. Since the Boka can be run as both a reflux & pot still I'll definitely look into it, some serious extra cost in it though compared to what I was looking at & then there's the need for a boiler + all the other startup equipment I'll need.

Andrew,
I'll shoot you an email in the next day or so to see what we can work out :handgestures-thumbupleft: