Pot still I am considering buying?

Pot still design and discussion

Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Benforce » Sun Nov 10, 2019 10:44 pm

I am considering buying this still that I have found for sale but not too sure what I am looking for ie. pro and cons?

If anyone has any advice on how this looks that would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Benforce
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:53 pm
equipment: None yet. Considering T500 to begin with.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Doubleuj » Mon Nov 11, 2019 5:49 am

Looks like a decent pelican still. As long as it’s not more than you could build it for yourself and as long as they used lead free solder and it doesn’t leak then it’ll be a good pot still
Doubleuj
Lifetime Member
 
Posts: 3630
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:15 pm
Location: rockhampton qld
equipment: 4" stainless glasser

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby woodduck » Mon Nov 11, 2019 6:01 am

Yep looks ok to me :handgestures-thumbupleft:
woodduck
Lifetime Member
 
Posts: 3497
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:54 pm
Location: Good old country SA
equipment: 4 plate 6" copper bubbler, 6 plate 4" glass bubbler with 500mm packed section three way thumper sitting on a 50 ltr keg boiler with 6000watts, 2" pot still and a 2" boka.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Benforce » Mon Nov 11, 2019 9:52 am

Great thanks for the response guys.

I don’t think he built it, so is there any way of telling if it’s lead free solder used?
Benforce
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:53 pm
equipment: None yet. Considering T500 to begin with.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby bluc » Mon Nov 11, 2019 10:05 am

you can buy lead test kits from bunnings. easy to use just rub the cloth on the solder see if it changes colour :handgestures-thumbupleft:
bluc
Site Donor
 
Posts: 8967
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: sunshine coast
equipment: 2" pot with 2" shotty 400mm long 5x 1/2" on a t500 boiler.
50l keg boiler 4" still mount 4" sight glass 1" drain..
4 plate 4" bubbler, 600mm packed section

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Benforce » Mon Nov 11, 2019 10:07 am

bluc wrote:you can buy lead test kits from bunnings. easy to use just rub the cloth on the solder see if it changes colour :handgestures-thumbupleft:


Awesome thanks Bluc
Benforce
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:53 pm
equipment: None yet. Considering T500 to begin with.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Benforce » Wed Nov 13, 2019 9:51 am

Thanks guys,

Just picked it up, as it’s my first still (along with a t500 I know I know but for $450 for the out lot including 4 fermenters to get me going I figured it is worth it for my first play around). I have checked and there is no lead in sight. There is a leak where the weld/solder has cracked where the temp gauge is attached to having a go at soldering as we speak.

Will I need a power station to run the pot still on the t500 boiler as there are no temp adjustment on the boiler?

Also I am assuming water inlet is the lower part of the condenser and outlet at the higher point?

Thanks again
Benforce
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:53 pm
equipment: None yet. Considering T500 to begin with.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby woodduck » Wed Nov 13, 2019 12:00 pm

Good stuff mate.

Yep you'll need a power controller for spirit runs on the pot still.

Yep water in the bottom, out at the top. That stops it from draining and ensures it's always full of water.
woodduck
Lifetime Member
 
Posts: 3497
Joined: Mon Jun 16, 2014 5:54 pm
Location: Good old country SA
equipment: 4 plate 6" copper bubbler, 6 plate 4" glass bubbler with 500mm packed section three way thumper sitting on a 50 ltr keg boiler with 6000watts, 2" pot still and a 2" boka.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Doubleuj » Wed Nov 13, 2019 12:16 pm

Did you end up using one of those lead test kits?
Doubleuj
Lifetime Member
 
Posts: 3630
Joined: Fri Jan 16, 2015 7:15 pm
Location: rockhampton qld
equipment: 4" stainless glasser

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Benforce » Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:45 pm

General error keeps coming up when posting reply?
Benforce
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:53 pm
equipment: None yet. Considering T500 to begin with.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Benforce » Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:46 pm

Great that all makes sense. Yes ended up getting a lead tester from bunnings just to be on the safe side, and all of the solder came back all clear.

I have re-soldered the temp gauge attachment (not the prettiest job but if in doubt just add more was my method). It appears to be water tight which should be sufficient?

I’m going to run them both (pot still and t500) through a vinegar run then a sacrificial tpw run (which is on the bubble now) just because I don’t know where these machines have been.

Then I have 2 WBAB washes on the go that I plan on stripping through the pot then combining for a slow neutral run through the t500 (as per “proper way” instructions) with cuts etc.

Can I do the stripping runs while I am waiting for the power station to arrive? As it would just be a case of fast through the pot, just removing fores and stopping at 20%? Shouldn’t be any need to adjust speed etc.?

Thanks again in advance,
Benforce
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:53 pm
equipment: None yet. Considering T500 to begin with.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Benforce » Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:47 pm

Sorted. It didn’t like the thumbs up I put in there.
Benforce
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:53 pm
equipment: None yet. Considering T500 to begin with.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby bluc » Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:49 pm

Dont "steam" the t500 it will warp plastic and leak :handgestures-thumbdown:
bluc
Site Donor
 
Posts: 8967
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: sunshine coast
equipment: 2" pot with 2" shotty 400mm long 5x 1/2" on a t500 boiler.
50l keg boiler 4" still mount 4" sight glass 1" drain..
4 plate 4" bubbler, 600mm packed section

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Benforce » Thu Nov 14, 2019 6:59 pm

bluc wrote:Dont "steam" the t500 it will warp plastic and leak :handgestures-thumbdown:


So no vinegar run on the t500 you mean? Just a sacrificial tpw run should do the trick to clean it out?
Benforce
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:53 pm
equipment: None yet. Considering T500 to begin with.

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby bluc » Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:04 pm

Yep :handgestures-thumbupleft:
bluc
Site Donor
 
Posts: 8967
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: sunshine coast
equipment: 2" pot with 2" shotty 400mm long 5x 1/2" on a t500 boiler.
50l keg boiler 4" still mount 4" sight glass 1" drain..
4 plate 4" bubbler, 600mm packed section

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby The Stig » Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:06 pm

Benforce wrote:General error keeps coming up when posting reply?

That’s because your trying to use the emoticons on your phones keyboard.
You can only use the ones to the left of the posts :teasing-neener:
The Stig
Site Nerd
 
Posts: 18192
Images: 9
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 am
equipment: Only the Best will Do.
Mac4 SSG Bubbles of Joy

Re: Pot still I am considering buying?

Postby Benforce » Thu Nov 14, 2019 7:10 pm

The Stig wrote:
Benforce wrote:General error keeps coming up when posting reply?

That’s because your trying to use the emoticons on your phones keyboard.
You can only use the ones to the left of the posts :teasing-neener:


Yeah thanks Stig. Just worked that out :angry-banghead:
Benforce
 
Posts: 13
Joined: Thu Nov 07, 2019 5:53 pm
equipment: None yet. Considering T500 to begin with.


Return to Pot Stills



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 13 guests

x