Beginning of the end !

by **Stilljim** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:08 pm

Hi All ,
I am keen to start making some drinkable spirit ,
I have been brewing beers and stout for years and been thinking of distilling since before computers but wasnt sure how .
I have a small engineering biz so am handy at building stuff .
Im interested in the principles of the reflux condenser and how it differs from the waterjacket or coiled tube type .
Im thinking of starting off small with a pressure cooker ( not sure if aluminium is suitable )
on electric stove . but also have a stainless 240v urn and some beer kegs to play with .
So any info would be much appreciated .
Cheers Jimbo

by **googe** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:26 pm

Welcome Jimbo, what sort of stuff you want to make will determine what still you make. Aluminium is no good, go the beer keg, most people use them here. Your well ahead of the building side of things with your own workshop :handgestures-thumbupleft: . Have a look and read in here viewforum.php?f=57 might help you with what you want from this hobbie. Good luck mate. btw, if you don't mind people knowing what area your in it could be helpful to put your location in your info then people near you might be able to help you directly.

Cheers

by **Boomgate** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 2:56 pm

Hi, Welcome... I cant help you with the still building stuff, just saying hi and welcome.

by **MacStill** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:10 pm

Hi & welcome :handgestures-thumbupleft:

:wave:

by **Camikaze** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 3:13 pm

Welcome from me too dude! :greetings-waveyellow: :greetings-waveyellow:

by **Kimbo** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 4:54 pm

Hi Jimbo,
welcome to the forum mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **bt1** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:49 pm

welcome bloke,

Give the al pot the flick, go keg...it will be with you for a long time so why not.

enjoy the learning curve.

bt1

by **Sam.** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 5:56 pm

Welcome aboard mate, you should be able to be better than a pressure cooker with what you do.

Like said, what are you looking to make/drink?

by **Andy** » Wed Jan 30, 2013 6:10 pm

hey. where abouts do you live? what type of engineer are you?

by **Stilljim** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 3:55 pm

Thanks for the welcome ,
Im located on the central coast north of Sydney and make stainless fittings for classic motorcycles , reproduction bolts , screws , spacers etc.

(havent found the profile button yet)

What I want to produce firstly is a clear spirit perhaps a vodka ,
also quite like absinthe but not sure what base it comes from .
Whisky is nice but from what ive read here would take a lot to create something good ,
and something for the ladies of course , licqeurs and such .
Seems like a few differnt types stills and condensers out there so i will start with something simple .
Jimbo

by **Andy** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 6:33 pm

Stilljim wrote:Thanks for the welcome ,
Im located on the central coast north of Sydney and make stainless fittings for classic motorcycles , reproduction bolts , screws , spacers etc.

You should be able to make a still one-handed and with your eyes closed!!

To make a vodka/neutral spirit look more in the direction of reflux still.
From there once you have your neutral spirits you can flavor post distillation (either with herbs, fruits, essences, or a mixture)

From my readings absinthe is a bitch to make. but with everything there are easy ways around it. this is a recipe on the forum that uses a neutral alcohol and herbs http://www.aussiedistiller.com.au/viewt ... 82&p=15184

by **crow** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 10:15 pm

Hi ya Jim welcome here :handgestures-thumbupleft:

by **Stilljim** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 10:41 pm

Hi Andy ,
So it looks like I should start with a reflux still ,
is there somewhere in this forum I could find a diagram of one ?
We have a wormwood bush in the vegie garden , it keeps the bugs away .
I will have to experiment .
Jimbo

by **crow** » Fri Feb 01, 2013 11:10 pm

Here bud from one of our absinthe guru's
viewtopic.php?f=25&t=1282

by **Andy** » Sat Feb 02, 2013 1:14 am

have a read of this thread viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2079 mainly the second post about the types of reflux still.

there is group of threads on reflux discussion here viewforum.php?f=8

you will find links to designs such as these viewtopic.php?f=8&t=2809

just a matter of searching through and finding one you like.

by **Stilljim** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 9:26 pm

Hi All
I have just been reading the Compleat Distiller , very informative .
I am thinking of building a compound still , seems to be a compact deign ,
most of the important bits are in the one column ,
I was going to use stainless for the reflux tube and condenser
but I have just picked some lengths of used 2", 2.5"and 3" copper tube ( I may be able to get more 3" if anybody needs it )
so now I have the confusion of more choices .
What I am thinking about now is the arrangement of the collector plates for the product outlet
and the position of the thermometer ( below the condenser but above the collector I presume )
Any ideas ?
Jimbo

by **emptyglass** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 10:05 pm

Hi stilljim,
When you say compound still, its a bit of an old term, and needs a bit of clarifing.
A compound still as I know it is basicly a still with a condenser at the top of the column. There are a lot of designs available these days that assume this configeration. A boka, and offset head, and of course the humble bubbler are some. Sort of need to know what design you are talking to help you better. That might be a bit difficult to pin down, but have a go. A picture always helps.
The complete distiller is still recomended reading, as the thing of distilling dosn't ever change, but designs of stills and equipment are always evolving.

I prefer copper myself, but a fine still can still be made from stainless. With your skills, I'm sure whatever you make will be well made. Cheers, and welcome.

by **Stilljim** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 10:44 pm

Hi WineGlass ,
thanks for the info ,
I will post some pics soon .
Im looking for a diagram of collector plates for the outlet .
I will probably start with copper as its easier to solder
perhaps I should post in the '' beginners questions ''
Jimbo

by **emptyglass** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 10:58 pm

You'd probably get a better audience there.

Does the still you are thinking of consist of a coil at the top and two slanted plates with a little valve? If so, is a boka/bokakob/bokabob/slant plate still. Another variant of the same principal is the reducing cone version.
Great functioning still, but a bit slow. Meant for vodka/neutral.

What drink do you want to make?

by **Stilljim** » Mon Feb 11, 2013 9:39 pm

Yes that sounds like the one im thinking of ,
I will start making a neutral spirit , worry about the other stuff later .
Im not in a great rush , as long as it works .