the vapour path/head design
Posted: Wed Apr 24, 2013 12:45 amHiya's
So, I'm embarking on my virginal still build n have read many 100's of posts all over the interbutts. Have a fair idea of what I wanna do, but there's a few Q's I'll only answer with a few questions or many builds n tinkering. N this is what forums are for, no?
OK, so, the vapor path. The head. Ye old time moonshiners all use huge buckets of copper, n keggers all use a good fat column of >2 in. I've got a little (~7L) salvo special stockpot, which I propose to fit a 20mm copper outlet to. My wondering is, what sort of impact does the head/coulum sizing have on the *taste* of your likker? is it a ratio thing or a factor of pure dimention? I get how a larger head gives a passive reflux sorta thing, but I'm not terribly fussed for a high %, I'm keen for flavor, and will be designing to accommodate a cold finger or other hybrid concept in the future if required. Id be very happy to hear how changing the column girth changes what comes out of the spout given a similar boiler, mash, condenser etc.
Between the lines, I read the part is mainly defined by what fits... in this case, the straight-to-20mm will be done, as I've the parts on hand n wanna do something with my Wicked Weetbix Whiskey Wort that should be done by the weekend. But if rebuilding the part will give a superior product, I wanna know about it. A big SS bowl, big flange n a stack of reducers can always be added, if deemed worthwhile.
I'm sure HD would blast a 'search' demand, but pages of discussion does not always render an experienced opinion. N you guys don't seem to be asses. Any other info re head geometry, column height n arm length will be useful. But id prefer experiences, than regurgitated folklaw, tho that isn't useless.
If theirs no data, I'll just have to take path B n tinker... ATM I'm only popping my cherry, most important thing is just getting my ... tounge... wet. Being choosy can wait till I've got the mechanics n operation down.
So, I'm embarking on my virginal still build n have read many 100's of posts all over the interbutts. Have a fair idea of what I wanna do, but there's a few Q's I'll only answer with a few questions or many builds n tinkering. N this is what forums are for, no?
OK, so, the vapor path. The head. Ye old time moonshiners all use huge buckets of copper, n keggers all use a good fat column of >2 in. I've got a little (~7L) salvo special stockpot, which I propose to fit a 20mm copper outlet to. My wondering is, what sort of impact does the head/coulum sizing have on the *taste* of your likker? is it a ratio thing or a factor of pure dimention? I get how a larger head gives a passive reflux sorta thing, but I'm not terribly fussed for a high %, I'm keen for flavor, and will be designing to accommodate a cold finger or other hybrid concept in the future if required. Id be very happy to hear how changing the column girth changes what comes out of the spout given a similar boiler, mash, condenser etc.
Between the lines, I read the part is mainly defined by what fits... in this case, the straight-to-20mm will be done, as I've the parts on hand n wanna do something with my Wicked Weetbix Whiskey Wort that should be done by the weekend. But if rebuilding the part will give a superior product, I wanna know about it. A big SS bowl, big flange n a stack of reducers can always be added, if deemed worthwhile.
I'm sure HD would blast a 'search' demand, but pages of discussion does not always render an experienced opinion. N you guys don't seem to be asses. Any other info re head geometry, column height n arm length will be useful. But id prefer experiences, than regurgitated folklaw, tho that isn't useless.
If theirs no data, I'll just have to take path B n tinker... ATM I'm only popping my cherry, most important thing is just getting my ... tounge... wet. Being choosy can wait till I've got the mechanics n operation down.