1 or 2 stills

[wino1]

Hello,
I am new here but have been reading for a few months and gained a great deal of knowledge. I have collected a few things for my second pot still build and have a question. I have two 50 l kegs and now have a piece of 2" copper 900 mm in length.
Question. :think: Should I build 2 stills 450 mm in length, or would it be better to have 1 at 900 mm, add some copper packing to have some reflux for my second or third run?
thanks again for the super site everyone has made here.

Wino1
Canada

[mymumsaidimcool]

it all depends on what you'd like to make,

if you want to make a quality vodka, then you will need a reflux still or plated still of some sort.

if you're making bourbons or whiskeys then a pot still would be the go, as you want that flavour retention.

if you're after both, like me, then you'll either need a plated column still (modular as to take out parts for whiskey and add plates for neutral) or two stills, a reflux and pot.

[Zak Griffin]

Or you could do something like what I've done with my pot, and have both... Not sure if you'll get enough column height for a good reflux with only 900mm of pipe though.

My 'column' is about 800mm high... Then I've got an easy flange, and I can run either my pot head, or my Boka head on top of it...

[Urrazeb]

You won't get reflux with just packing, well nothing more than passive reflux.

Base the build on what you want to make. Or build a modular bubbler and have the best of all worlds :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Edit SPELLING AGAIN :handgestures-thumbdown:

[wino1]

Zak,

Wow you guys are sharp. I was thinking two machines,not modular 8-} . Can you share a post with some photos or PM me a photo? Do you run LM?
Time to get some fittings :handgestures-thumbupleft:

thanks
Wino1
Canada

[kelbygreen]

a few build threads to look at here

http://www.aussiedistiller.com.au/viewforum.php?f=36

[Sam.]

Zak,

Wow you guys are sharp. I was thinking two machines,not modular 8-} . Can you share a post with some photos or PM me a photo? Do you run LM?
Time to get some fittings :handgestures-thumbupleft:

thanks
Wino1
Canada

You still haven't answered the million dollar question, what drinks do you want to make? :think:

[Zak Griffin]

Here is my still in pot mode...



You can see the triclamp just below the elbow at the top...

Aaand I never got around to finishing my Boka (LM) head... but I've got it almost done at home haha. I just cut it off about 50mm below the bottom slant plate and added an easy flange... If/when I get around to finishing it, I will simply remove the pot head at the top clamp, fill the column with packing and clamp the Boka on ;D

Unfortunately to do so I have to get more 3" pipe, but I might have that sorted... My current column is destined to be turned into the sightglass ports and product condenser for my bubbler :D

[bt1]

Howdy,

Used to make hybrid pots pre glasser days... A 750mm tall pot head with a coil and packing is all it's about....there's a bit of understanding needed on coil length and placement which if your interested I can link.
It gives you:
Single runs, vs. your current 2 or more
+92abv starts
Simplicity and ease of use
Quick build
Extremely cheap to run

Ideally suits rums, or heavier flavoured whiskies... continue to use one for rums as it pull a fair bit over. Downside is it need good quality washes.

bt1

[Urrazeb]

Howdy,

Used to make hybrid pots pre glasser days... A 750mm tall pot head with a coil and packing is all it's about....there's a bit of understanding needed on coil length and placement which if your interested I can link.
It gives you:
Single runs, vs. your current 2 or more
+92abv starts
Simplicity and ease of use
Quick build
Extremely cheap to run

Ideally suits rums, or heavier flavoured whiskies... continue to use one for rums as it pull a fair bit over. Downside is it need good quality washes.

bt1

Extremely cheap to run compared to..? Could you please expand on this? I dont understand

Compared to a pot/bubbler/reflux of same boiler size;
Same amount of wash, roughly the same amount of heat input, same amount of cooling water with a recirc system... :?

The only difference I can think of would be a little bit less heat input/product output ratio but that would be VERY minor

[wino1]

Thanks for all the input and ideas, I think I will start with a pot and build a second boka.

The answer to the million dollar question is 8-} whisky and rum with a pot and some vodka with a Boka.

Wino1

[Zak Griffin]

Cheap to run compared to a pot still because you do single runs instead of double...

[Urrazeb]

Single runs for a whiskey/rum etc? For a neutral out of a reflux compared to hybrid pot you have the same economy..?


Sorry OP for :text-offtopic:

[bt1]

+1 Zak...nailed it!

For a neutral out of a reflux compared to hybrid pot you have the same economy..?

A hybrid pot is not suited to making neutrals even for the most ambitious stiller.

bt1