Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

So researching how i'm going to build my first boiler, here's what i'm thinking,

I already have the 50l keg,

6 inch triclamp still mount, this gives me greater access to the inside and i can reduce down to suit the still (pot) probably a fsd modular.
4 in sightglass, cause why not. :))
Should i put a thermometer in the boiler? and does that need to go in a thermowell?
1.5 in drain in the bottom.

now electric elements........i keep reading that the fsd versions are the best, can i use a single 3600w unit for a 50l keg? Bearing in mind i have a 15amp circut here can you recommend a controller for it? as the fsd version is only rated to 10a

I know people are going to tell me just to get the fsd milk can boiler, but the budget doesn't stretch that far.......

Cheers

If you can weld yourself, go for it you will end up well in front.
As for elements, go for 2 x 2400, this will give you more control over a single 3600.

The Stig wrote:If you can weld yourself, go for it you will end up well in front.
As for elements, go for 2 x 2400, this will give you more control over a single 3600.

So two separate circuts,

1, full power on/off
1, through a controller?

Forgive my ignorance, Is it just the additional power over the single 3600w unit thats the benefit or am i missing something?

2x4800w for heat up and controller on one of the elements. You then have options- 1) run both elements during a stripping run and reduce the power on the second element until you get an output that the PC can handle or 2) run one element with a controller for spirit runs.

Les has it right except it should be 2 x 2400w and not 2 x 4800 :-B

Thanks Stig. The brain is struggling today. Sorry about that.

Thanks guys, any thoughts on the usefulness of thermometer on the boiler? i'm planning to run a pot but may add a reflux or bubbler down the track

I put one in my 100L and never looked at it, same with the sight glass view port
Having said that, here’s my new boiler just being finished off. A view port half way down just above the elements and I’ll put a thermometer in one of the 2 top 2” ports

Use a thermometer on the boiler all the time now. Gives me a quick visual as to when the wash is about to boil. There is a lag in time of a few minutes before the first drips of alcohol come out of the still. (The column temperature is still quite low but climbs quickly at this point in time) It allows me to set the power controller and slow the output right down. Having 2 thermometers is quite handy especially when trying a new recipe.

Even if your dreams are big, I'd go the 4" still mount with a 6" view/fill/cleaning port, 50l is a bit small to run a 6" on and a 6 to 4 reducer would be an unnecessary expense to use a 4" column

Plus the usual flip the keg n use the 2" as the drain trick

A boiler temp below the waterline will let you know how much alc is left in the wash, the closer to 100, the less alc. left

If your going the full weld job, locate a 80l keg and make it worth doing?

I copied this boiler. Best design I have ever come across.
a few years down the track I'm glad I did

http://www.aussiedistiller.com.au/viewt ... =36&t=6709

That's a mighty fine looking boiler Stig.

:handgestures-thumbupleft:
It’ll appear in the store once proven, but she’s not a cheapie :music-deathmetal: