Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Hi guys,

I’m trying to increase the efficiency of my still, and my thoughts have turned to boiler insulation. At present I have my boiler wrapped in a beach towel folded in thirds which seems to have done an okay job at keeping the boilers heat in, but I am sure I can do better. At the moment I am looking at something like http://www.clarkrubber.com.au/formshield-10mm-wide-black.html, either one or two layers thick (depending on performance). I figure I can make cut-outs for element ports and the drain in order to get a snug fit, then stitch in some Velcro straps to keep it attached to the boiler.

What does everyone else do for insulation? Does this look feasible, or am I off the mark? Is there something tried and tested that I should use instead? Is it worth insulating the boiler at all?

Any thoughts would be helpful!

Mick

Have you looked at using cardboard under the rubber some rubber does not like hot temperate and it would cut back the temperature and free.

I picked up a few woolen blankets cheap $5 each they are washable fire retardant and excellent insulation.

The dunder stay hot for days. Also I can do runs split over two days with only 15 to 20 mins to get back on the boil.

That's perfect stuff in the link. Definitely get something that wont deteriorate if you get it wet, you dont want to have remove all the insulation and replace it after a few cleans. :D

rumdidlydum wrote:That's perfect stuff in the link. Definitely get something that wont deteriorate if you get it wet, you dont want to have remove all the insulation and replace it after a few cleans. :D

:text-+1: I would not go to that much trouble and expence for ya 30lt boiler ,would be fine for the 50lt milk can ya have on order tho.cheers hillzabilly ;-)

hillzabilly wrote: :text-+1: I would not go to that much trouble and expence for ya 30lt boiler ,would be fine for the 50lt milk can ya have on order tho.cheers hillzabilly ;-)

Yeah, that's the plan. I think the beach towel will be just fine for the 30L I'm using at the moment until the milk can arrives :twisted:

Mick

Reminds me of when I used to use an old boating life jacket ta insulate my 30lt boiler came with straps an all :laughing-rolling: cheers hillzabilly :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Haha haha that's a good idea hillzabilly I have heaps from when I lived on a boat. Slightly flammable but so are most things under the house :laughing-rolling:

On my boiler I just used insol wool then foil paper all lined with timber slats

Hey aussie what boiler is it and how did you do the strapping?
I've been known to lust over your boiler :romance-kisscheek:

I use insulation from clarke rubber. It is designed for under the car bonnet. I have in on both the 3" reflux still and the keg boiler. Seems to work really well. I couldn't find it on the web site though.

There are some purists out there that would argue against the use of any insulation on a still.
Arguing that the art of making whisky is all about embracing the inefficiencies of the pot still design. One of those inefficiencies is the massive heat loss at the boiler, this in turn prolonging the distillation process and increasing the conversion of yummy esters.

To achieve a similar result with a more efficient boiler design (stainless and insulated) would require you to cut back on the power and extend your distillation times.
Just some food for thought.

coffe addict wrote:Hey aussie what boiler is it and how did you do the strapping?
I've been known to lust over your boiler :romance-kisscheek:

Strapping is easy ockey straps first tuck your timber in roughly 1 st photo
When all the timber is in place start tightening it with rachet straps and adjust timbers
I had to remove 2 to let it go tight enough
Tighten it to the max then put the brass bands on
I just used 2 lengths of ockey strap put in your joining screws release straps and tap timbers into place
Still to do is the other 150 screws 3 in each stick and varnish
Hope this helps

Aussiedownunder01 wrote:On my boiler I just used insol wool then foil paper all lined with timber slats

Aussie, I must admit that you have yourself one sexy looking boiler! :clap:

Mick

TheMechwarrior wrote:There are some purists out there that would argue against the use of any insulation on a still.
Arguing that the art of making whisky is all about embracing the inefficiencies of the pot still design. One of those inefficiencies is the massive heat loss at the boiler, this in turn prolonging the distillation process and increasing the conversion of yummy esters.

To achieve a similar result with a more efficient boiler design (stainless and insulated) would require you to cut back on the power and extend your distillation times.
Just some food for thought.

The bigger the boiler the less heat lost surface area to volume ratio.

Aussie, that is some serious insulation...nothin aint gettin out.
Nice work.

Damn fine craftsmanship :clap:

Doesn't seem too hard! Looks amazing. With only three screws it's easy to take apart for annual cleaning, plus it'll save you installing the other 150 :happy-partydance:

I think my new found 80L keg deserves a similar treatment!

Got 1/2 the screws in
Theres only 9 screws to remove the cladding if needed in one piece :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Now this is a thing of beauty!