Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Is there an advantage in using a 50l keg over a 30l keg for a 20l wash with a reflux still. Diameter of both identical, 30l is shorter. I was thinking that the extra headspace in the 50l would improve reflux

Hello bat,

30lt certianly faster to heat, save power/gas.

As to reflux in head space, not sure on physics here but from practical when running a 50lt half / 2/3 full for gin runs it's as slow as, same heating, same still etc.

Oftern tried to think it out..reckon the vapour speed drops for some reason...circulates in open space above wash, rather than straight into lower "pressure" col space.

If it where my choice and was going to stay with 20 - 25lt washes I'd go 30lt.

bt1

Look at it this way as you progress to bigger and better things its easier to put larger quantities in a big boiler
Its pain in the but running 3 washes just to use one fermenter full
Go big

I would go the 50 and do double batches in it so 40L plenty of headspace.

All depends how much you want to produce and if you can be bothered moving a bigger keg around (there are ways around this of course)