4'' stainless pot still /stainless condenser

[ott]

Hi guys keen to build a pot still for stripping runs and doing things like ujsm bourbon and spiced rum. Is it too much to ask to build a still that can do both well :ie fast strip and slow spirit run with flavour? I also would like to know if there is really that much more benefit with copper over stainless, as I can do a 4 inch stainless and stainless shotgun essentially for free, whereas copper I have to buy at full price. Is there any issue with going too big on condenser? If . Build a 4 inch stainless shotgun will it be no good for making ujsm etc? Or should it be a 4'' with 2'' condenser?

Cheers

[MacStill]

As long as you can get a little copper in the vapor you'll be fine, it's really amazing how little you do need for sulphide removal ;-)

[Zak Griffin]

I'm interested to know as well... Can the same still be used for fast stripping and slow spirit runs?

I'm building a 3" column with a 2" shotgun, so I should be able to strip pretty well. Will I be able to do spirit runs with the same?

[MacStill]

That's generally how people would use a pot still ;-)

[Zak Griffin]

I thought that shotguns weren't ideal for spirit runs? Smearing n stuff...

[punchy21]

As long as they are vertical you shouldn't get any smearing... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[MacStill]

you'll get more smearing in a parrot than you would in a shotgun angled at 45 degrees, and your cut jars :whistle:

[punchy21]

That's true... 8-}

[ott]

Ok so copper is used for a reason. Might have to practice tigging copper and maybe I can do staino pipes and unions with a copper core for the shotgun. Or will the sulphides then end up in collection jar? Thanks for the reply more research needed. The condenser size won't matter though Will it? As long as it has the capacity to knock down the vapour being generated it should be ok hey?

[Zak Griffin]

Fair call! Saves me building a Liebig :D

[Andy]

as mac said you only need a small amount of copper.

i think if you get some very fine copper wire or copper mesh and put that in the vapour path that should suffice. or if you do your suggestion and make the core of the shotgun out of copper it should all be good. My understanding if that the copper is a catalyst for the removal of sulphide

[Dominator]

A bit of copper mesh in the column will sort out the sulfides. And no, you cant go too big with your condenser. Like you said, as long as you condense all the vapours.

[ott]

Just an update guys got all this well and truly in the build should be ready to run this weekend hopefully, got pics but can't work out how to put em up off phone. Got a 50l keg with 1x 3600w element with variable control, 2400w just on a switch, it's a freestanding switchboard all stainless with an digital displa. For wash temp as well. 4" column and 4" shotgun condenser, with parrot all stainless. I'll try upload some pics guys sorry cheers ott

[ott]

[ott]

I'll get some more pics up over the next few days as I finish it off and try to run it. Gotta pull in a 6mm supply to the shed as well just to Power it. Cheers guys got 100l of well cleared tpw to run thru it then get this copper reflux pos working too. If I'm as disappointed with it as I think I'll be one of Macs big rigs will be going on top. Cheers

[SBB]

Thats a wild looking pot you've built there, If that orange box is where the element is Id watch that its not going to run dry, or get exposed to vapors, might just be the photo, but it looks a bit high up the keg for my liking. A red hot element sitting in a cloud of Alcohol vapors is rarely a good thing.

[MacStill]

A red hot element sitting in a cloud of Alcohol vapors is rarely a good thing.

I'd say that would be a fairly good indicator that the run was finished :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

[ott]

That's the top element, just on a contactor,not even sure I'll need it yet, just put it in for fast strip. Or heat boost at the start. Bottom box is the 3600w with the variable voltage.cheers I'll let you all know how it goes

[MacStill]

That's the top element, just on a contactor,not even sure I'll need it yet, just put it in for fast strip. Or heat boost at the start. Bottom box is the 3600w with the variable voltage.cheers I'll let you all know how it goes

If you can I think you should put a little sight glass or level indicator next to that high element, there's a pretty good chance on a stripping run you'll be risking boiling that element dry.

[Sam.]

DSC_0057.jpg

Running the reflux coming out at 94 % at 27 degs pretty happy. Gonna change that element down lower in the keg