Bruukta's Big one
Posted: Sun Aug 02, 2020 10:13 pm
Ok guys, here’s the beginning of my still build.
I Didnt end up Posting it to start with as i figured it would sit dormant for a few months so its sort of what my plans were to start with and the changes i have made already basically straight up
I lucked out on getting the 2”+ copper from wherever I tried locally and surrounds so last resort I posted up Facebook market place add looking for some.
Minutes before it was remove due to being a wanted post (not a sale post). I got a message from a bloke and he sorted me out with everything I needed for 2”+ copper wise.
Bonus 1: I lived between his work and home so he dropped it off for me on his travels.
Bonus 2: He had an inkling it was for a still and had built his own so got a bit of advice to go.
My partner works at a winery so anything stainless I require I will source from what’s available there.
I have spent more time researching than I think it will take to build the still with plenty more to go and then nearly the same doing design sketches that resemble a 2 yr olds drawings so I can sort out what I need to buy. Being time poor doesn’t help the situation. I’m hoping I can have this going before the start of summer so I can utilize the solar panels on the roof. I have made enough to last me through until then…. I hope.
I plan to build what I can myself but undecided on buying a complete 4’ 4 plate bubbler kit due to free time and less hassle of having to source the stainless threaded rods flanges etc. that will depend on the Aussie $$
I’m looking at grabbing a TIG welder to make the copper cone pieces and for welding the keg up. That way I can add another tool to the every growing shed. Note: I haven’t TIG welded before so a little learning curve but can MIG, oxy and solder so I hope I can adapt quickly.
My basic plan is a 4” 4 plate glass bubbler with RC into a 2” shotgun. And depending how much pipe I have leftover will depend how long my packed column will be. Although the more I read the more I see it doesn’t really do as much as expected when adding it onto the bubblers so I might even have to add another plate or 2.
I will make a parrot once it’s up and running or if I finish it early enough and still have the motivation. I was secretly hoping we would be forced into isolation for a few weeks and I’d be able to knock this up in no time.
As for my keg I was hoping to invert it and put a 6” ferrule out the top with a 6” union sight glass offset on the top/front side for view/fill/cleaning port.
Add 2 weldless elements at least 2x 2400w or a 2400w and a 3600w. I’m still undecided. I have 10kw Solar so summer it isn’t an issue running huge power and I have my shed wired up with the circuits I need but I’m not sure how to voltage control it as the kegland controller can only cope with 10amp. If I can turn the 3600w off once it’s hot and the 2400w is capable then that will be the go.
I’ll utilize the 2” ferrule at the bottom for the drain by adding a tap. I was planning on some long legs to be able to empty it into a bucket but after reading a few posts it seems it may be a little unstable due to the height. I notice a lot have the outlet not far from the ground with a hose on it. Do you just syphon out most of it then have somewhere to drain the last 10 or so Liters?
Some other thoughts were adding a heat exchanger into a 2nd keg that I will have ready for a 2nd run to
1. Preheat the 2nd mash (If I’m going to do a run I might as well spend the whole day out there.)
2. Precool the recirculated water before going into the holding tank as I’m not sure how much more the new still is going to heat the water compared to the tiny T500 reflux and pot. ~350L holding tank.
I can add a radiator and fan to this as well and/or even another 200L but will just see how it goes.
If I had seen the posts about using an old aircon unit for the cooling I would probably have tried to source one of them purely just because it looks neater and would take up less space but I had already build my recirculated water stand by them.
My next step is doing a 200k round trip to Bunnings and grabbing some tools and other pieces of copper I need to start building but with the COVID19 recommended isolation ill just wait it out now. Also apparently wood cutting and other chores are more important…. :angry-banghead:
I Didnt end up Posting it to start with as i figured it would sit dormant for a few months so its sort of what my plans were to start with and the changes i have made already basically straight up
I lucked out on getting the 2”+ copper from wherever I tried locally and surrounds so last resort I posted up Facebook market place add looking for some.
Minutes before it was remove due to being a wanted post (not a sale post). I got a message from a bloke and he sorted me out with everything I needed for 2”+ copper wise.
Bonus 1: I lived between his work and home so he dropped it off for me on his travels.
Bonus 2: He had an inkling it was for a still and had built his own so got a bit of advice to go.
My partner works at a winery so anything stainless I require I will source from what’s available there.
I have spent more time researching than I think it will take to build the still with plenty more to go and then nearly the same doing design sketches that resemble a 2 yr olds drawings so I can sort out what I need to buy. Being time poor doesn’t help the situation. I’m hoping I can have this going before the start of summer so I can utilize the solar panels on the roof. I have made enough to last me through until then…. I hope.
I plan to build what I can myself but undecided on buying a complete 4’ 4 plate bubbler kit due to free time and less hassle of having to source the stainless threaded rods flanges etc. that will depend on the Aussie $$
I’m looking at grabbing a TIG welder to make the copper cone pieces and for welding the keg up. That way I can add another tool to the every growing shed. Note: I haven’t TIG welded before so a little learning curve but can MIG, oxy and solder so I hope I can adapt quickly.
My basic plan is a 4” 4 plate glass bubbler with RC into a 2” shotgun. And depending how much pipe I have leftover will depend how long my packed column will be. Although the more I read the more I see it doesn’t really do as much as expected when adding it onto the bubblers so I might even have to add another plate or 2.
I will make a parrot once it’s up and running or if I finish it early enough and still have the motivation. I was secretly hoping we would be forced into isolation for a few weeks and I’d be able to knock this up in no time.
As for my keg I was hoping to invert it and put a 6” ferrule out the top with a 6” union sight glass offset on the top/front side for view/fill/cleaning port.
Add 2 weldless elements at least 2x 2400w or a 2400w and a 3600w. I’m still undecided. I have 10kw Solar so summer it isn’t an issue running huge power and I have my shed wired up with the circuits I need but I’m not sure how to voltage control it as the kegland controller can only cope with 10amp. If I can turn the 3600w off once it’s hot and the 2400w is capable then that will be the go.
I’ll utilize the 2” ferrule at the bottom for the drain by adding a tap. I was planning on some long legs to be able to empty it into a bucket but after reading a few posts it seems it may be a little unstable due to the height. I notice a lot have the outlet not far from the ground with a hose on it. Do you just syphon out most of it then have somewhere to drain the last 10 or so Liters?
Some other thoughts were adding a heat exchanger into a 2nd keg that I will have ready for a 2nd run to
1. Preheat the 2nd mash (If I’m going to do a run I might as well spend the whole day out there.)
2. Precool the recirculated water before going into the holding tank as I’m not sure how much more the new still is going to heat the water compared to the tiny T500 reflux and pot. ~350L holding tank.
I can add a radiator and fan to this as well and/or even another 200L but will just see how it goes.
If I had seen the posts about using an old aircon unit for the cooling I would probably have tried to source one of them purely just because it looks neater and would take up less space but I had already build my recirculated water stand by them.
My next step is doing a 200k round trip to Bunnings and grabbing some tools and other pieces of copper I need to start building but with the COVID19 recommended isolation ill just wait it out now. Also apparently wood cutting and other chores are more important…. :angry-banghead: