Alcoengine vs Pure distilling reflux column.

[nikolav]

Hello from New Zealand, guys.
So far I haven't distilled anything and I'm just a proud owner of an Alcoengine pot still (still In the post), without a boiler, reflux column etc.
Now I need to get a reflux column, as I want to start with vodka/neutral/gin.
I'm trying to decide between two options - Kegland's Alcoengine and the Pure distilling Reflux columns.
Alcoengine is cheaper (half the price if I order from www.5stardistilling.com.au), but what worries me is the different recommended water flow rates between the two.
If I'm to believe the user manuals, which I take with a grain of salt the recommended water flow rate for the Alcoengine is min. 8 l/m and for the PD it's just 1.5 l/m, which is a very big difference.

In your observation, guys, are these true numbers? Any other differences between the two that I need to know about? Any pros and cons?

PS. I'm absolutely not interested in building my own still. Not yet, so I'm trying to choose between those two, and I still haven't ruled out the T500 reflux column.

[yobgow]

Hey bud,

I got a PD reflux and from what I can tell the biggest difference between the two is AE column is 1.5 inch and the PD is 2 inches. And from what I read Kegland basically copied the PD design and got it made in China. This is why the AE is cheaper than the PD column. I'm sure someone can correct me if I'm wrong but a wider column means you can distill faster than a narrower one.
Having said that the main difference between these two and the T500 is whilst they are all reflux columns the T500 is a VM (vapour management) and the others are more of a LM (liquid management) still.
I suggest you check this post out and see the difference.
https://aussiedistiller.com.au/viewtopic.php?f=17&t=3112&view
My PD column runs like clockwork (apart from today when I added and changed stuff :shock: ) whilst the T500 seems a little more finicky.

Again I'm only fairly new to this and I'm sure if I have made any errors then someone more learned than me will let us know.