Polyphoenix Still

[Wolfe27]

Hello Everyone,

First time poster here :greetings-waveyellow:

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on the modular polyphoenix stills?
I know using plastic is a big no no, but being made from PPSU they claim it is completely safe. Thoughts?

Cheers.

[RuddyCrazy]

Welcome to the Rabbit hole Wolfe :laughing-rolling:

Mate give that idea the flick as it is total crap and stick with either SS or copper for a still :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Now how about popping into the Welcome Centre and tell us what you want to do with with the hobby mate

Cheers Bryan

[Wolfe27]

Thanks Bryan!

I didn't realise I posted in the Community Guidelines section x_x sorry...
Still getting used to the site.

Appreciate your input though mate.

Cheers, Jacob.

[Buj]

Hi Wolfe,
After plenty of reading /research ast year I landed on a 2" Boka and 2" Pot Still, along with a 30lt Boiler, from FSD.
Haven't looked back since....I'm getting good clean Neutral Hearts from Corn Flakes Whisky washes from the Boka, after the Pot stripping runs.

[Wolfe27]

Hello Buj.

I have been looking at the FSD stuff and it all definitely looks the goods.
I'm getting a 65L Brewzilla soon so I can do all grain and just need to decide on a still to go with it. I'm really wanting something modular that'll last

[Wellsy]

Welcome aboard Wolfe

With the 65 litre boiler you will be well set for a 5 star option on top of:)
Give Andrew a call you won’t get any pressure just genuine advice. I would definitely stay away from the none metal stills mate.

The five star gear is definitely modulate and I used that functionality when I wanted to upgrade from my pot still to a bubbler

[chipboy]

Plastics no matter what they are are made of various polymers, you do not want anything coming out of them into food stuffs and when heat is involved is accelerates things. Also bear in mind ethanol is a solvent and it will pull things into solution eg, Water as an azeotrope which we get no matter how hard we try, so no plastics in this hobby is a good recommendation. Only use them in the water path for cooling if required.

Now back to your sponsor.

[howard]

Hello Everyone,

First time poster here :greetings-waveyellow:

Just wondering what peoples thoughts are on the modular polyphoenix stills?
I know using plastic is a big no no, but being made from PPSU they claim it is completely safe. Thoughts?

Cheers.

you would have to assume the guys at kegland have done their homework. :think:
i've looked at a few chemical compatibility charts for different applications in distilling.
this is one for PPSU.
note that the test was only for 7 days at room temp, not for years of use at high temps.
https://blog.darwin-microfluidics.com/ppsu-polyphenylsulfone-chemical-compatibility-chart/
what can go wrong?

[Wolfe27]

Thanks for your input Howard, that's some pretty decent info. Not looking to promising for the PPSU.
I would of assumed Kegland had done a good amount of research too, that's why I asked the question.

[howard]

Thanks for your input Howard, that's some pretty decent info. Not looking to promising for the PPSU.
I would of assumed Kegland had done a good amount of research too, that's why I asked the question.

so mr wolf, why not contact kegland directly, i'm sure they would be happy to share their compatibility charts for PPSU with prolonged exposure to certain chemicals at high temperatures.

meanwhile, i can't wait for the PPSU boiler. :smile:

[Professor Green]

Don't forget, these people sell and promote turbo yeast...

[howard]

Don't forget, these people sell and promote turbo yeast...

i will have to disagree with you.
i respect the contribution, hard work and devotion to the craft that kegland give.
i do not think that they promote turbo shoite.
yes, they do sell it, along with a multitude of other stuff.

i think that PPSU is a mechanically hard and temperature resistant substance, and personally wouldn't have any problem in using items made of PPSU in certain circumstances.
just not in a still.

[Professor Green]

I would argue that selling IS promoting but I don't have time to argue with people on the internet.

[The Stig]

:text-+1: :text-lol:

[northernbrewer]

I think Kegland is good overall for giving home brewers access to new equipment etc.

I also think that the polyphoenix still isn't one of those good things. While the ethanol resistance is ok for 7 days at room temp, a still doesn't run at room temperature, and has more chemical components than ethanol in it. Heads are especially fun with acetone (9% weight change), ethyl acetate (3.7% weight change) and a dozen other chemicals which with heat would likely cause issues. Even ethanol at room temp causes dark spots to form on the plastic. If kegland had actual data to backup the safety I'm sure they would be publishing it everywhere, which also makes me question its true safety.

Why take the risk when there are better alternatives like copper and stainless?