The new hybrid. Vodka, Gin, Whisky, Rum and Brandy, fast.

[emptyglass]

I've been doing some more experiments with vodka production. After the last lot of experiments with packed sections, (see viewtopic.php?f=36&t=2308) I did a few things different with this one.

Pleased to say this little puppy is working great. It has so far made a spot on neutral at 2.5 litres an hour pulling an easy 95%abv, then set up as a whiskey still it makes a very flavorful 65-70%abv rum or bourbon (or brandy) for the whole run at a comfortable 3.5 litres an hour.

As for combinations, it can be put together heaps of ways. It can be run as a 3 plate whiskey still, a 3 plate and packed section vodka still, a long packed section by itself, a 5 plate bubbler, a 5 plate with short packed section (again for vodka/gin), a short plain packed section. Did I miss any? Oh, and an 8 plate bubbler.
Basicly, it has been made so that both sections can take plates or packing, hence the sightglasses on both sections. The sightglasses give a good veiw of the packing in action, even if its really not needed. They clip on and off as desired on the day. Its all 15% silver soldered, even if its not needed.

I'm pretty happy with this one.

[emptyglass]

Some more pics

[Kimbo]

Well done EG, :clap: :clap: :happy-partydance: :happy-partydance: :music-deathmetal: ( your gunna need a bigger ladder)

[Sam.]

That is excellent mate :handgestures-thumbupleft: :clap: :clap: :clap: :dance: :dance: :dance:

[MacStill]

Beautiful rig mate :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Is this one a keeper or are you going to let some lucky bugger claim ownership?

Well done!

[emptyglass]

Thanks guys.

I'm thinking it might be for sale mac, but I havn't even thought about the work gone into it yet. This one got a bit of extra polishing and love. Its really a still for a whiskey maker that appreciates a good vodka, or a serious vodka maker who enjoys a fine whiskey. Or someone thats outgrown their slant plate.
I reckon just from the testing I've done, I got enough vodka to last a long time.

If I did sell it, I'd make another one of the 3 platers to keep. They are a ripper. Good flavor, barrel strength for bourbon out the spout, and pretty bloody fast.

[emptyglass]

Well done EG, :clap: :clap: :happy-partydance: :happy-partydance: :music-deathmetal: ( your gunna need a bigger ladder)

Yeah, you're probably right Kimbo, but that little one gets me far enough away from the ground to do some serious damage to the old noggin when I fall off. Its not much of a head, but its the only one I got.
Sampling and ladders don't mix, that much I've found.

[googe]

Very nice empty :handgestures-thumbupleft: someone will be vert happy of you do decide to sell.

[tickle]

Well done EG, :clap: :clap: :happy-partydance: :happy-partydance: :music-deathmetal: ( your gunna need a bigger ladder)

Yeah, you're probably right Kimbo, but that little one gets me far enough away from the ground to do some serious damage to the old noggin when I fall off. Its not much of a head, but its the only one I got.
Sampling and ladders don't mix, that much I've found.

what?! i thought you walked on water and levitated :scared-eek:
another hero down.... :text-lol:

[bt1]

Very nice kit EG,

The varying configs have me very interested.

bugga, just as I thought I'd finished my new still this comes along.

Back to the shed for another few weeks I guess.

bt1

[emptyglass]

Dont worry mate, it happens to all of us.
Just when you think you got there, the journey continues.
I still discover new things that send me back to the shed. But with two littlies in the house, I don't need much of an excuse.

[emptyglass]

what?! i thought you walked on water and levitated :scared-eek:
another hero down.... :text-lol:

The guy that walked on water could only achieve water to wine. We take wines and turn them into whiskey and rum.
I think that levitates us all.

Just don't use a ladder when sampling. sacry! :scared-eek:

[JayD]

Great build EG...but really I think everyone on this board would not expect less from you... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[emptyglass]

Thanks J,
I guess its probably no surprise to say I'll be selling it. I tried to come up with a still good enough for the vodka guys, and I'm pretty happy to say it does a good job, and makes whiskey too.
And thanks to croweater for his input on these packed columns. He's a smart fella.

[audistiller]

He's a smart fella.

Or as my old man would say, a fart smella.

Very nice work there EG, anyone would be proud of that workmanship I would think. Now only if I had a shed, the best I could do at the moment is a parrot on the back step when the wind isn't blowing... :crying-blue:

[emptyglass]

Or as my old man would say, a fart smella.

I could say he smells like a fart, but that would be just plain wrong.

[1 2many]

Mate looking around this is my faverite rig on the web :music-deathmetal: Have you tried the same still
with a 4-2 reducer straight to a standard keg and done a comparison on yield/performance. Would like some estimates or results! Are you still using the volcanic rock packing "scoria" :wave:

[emptyglass]

Thanks 1 2.
I don't usually use a packed section for my rum and bourbon, but I wouldn't hesitate to clip on a section for a neutral run, but I'm a bit of a scoria convert.
Just don't use any rock mac's got for sale, a little bird told me its got a smashed up plastic container in it... :shhh:
I don't drink vodka often, but this set up is a real good rig.
If you were to go down this road, I'd say go 4 or 5 plates, and a shorter packed section, just for more stable running for flavored drinks.
The only reason the packed section has windows is it is a 5 plate column section, borrowed for a trial, you don't need them. I did get to see just how the rocks perform, and see all the very fine surface bubbles permiating through the scoria.

[1 2many]

Yes but what about the question 2"to4" flow rate .Surly that must have an effect on production rate :think:

[Brendan]

1 2, although I can't answer for EG, what you asked has been done and many times over.

Reports are that there is no reduction in performance...this is in line with theory, which says that vapour speed increases through a smaller opening, so the 'flow' of vapour is the same.

Hope that helps :handgestures-thumbupleft: