new pot still head

[bradsgonetrekkin]

Heres my new pot head I'm putting together from bits and pieces i've collected.

Basically, 2 1/2 inch copper riser, 90 degree bend, reduced to 2 inch (50mm), reduced to 1 1/4 inch (32mm), 45 degree bend, then reduced to 3/4 inch and finished with a 3/4 ss ferrule.

I've still got to cut a bit off the 2inch section before it goes into the 1 1/4 inch reducer, clean up the old section of piping (including removing the old solder used for the 90 degree join as I don't know what solder was used) and put it together.

The leibig and head are designed to be interchangable with my planned reflux column (see post in reflux section for more info) and will mount onto the keg boiler with a 50mm ss ferrule and triclamp connection.

I'll keep you posted on how it goes.

[R-sole]

Looks the business mate. Those joints are brazed, they'll be safe (silver solder) and i don't think you'll get enough heat in to dismantle em anyway. 8-)

[bradsgonetrekkin]

thanks for the tip 5Star, that will save a bit of mucking around. 8-)

[MacStill]

That'll make a nice little pot still for sure, you'll be happy stripping wash to run through your VM with the setup your making.

Good stuff :mrgreen:

[bradsgonetrekkin]

Yeah I need to get my finger out and get it done.

I just mixed up the last few litres of stored neutral to make a massive batch of coffee infusion, so I need to build up my stocks again soon.

Luckily I've still got a good stash of of good old uncle jesses corn whiskey on oak to get me through 8-)

[MacStill]

I'd get that pot built first before your VM, and you can start stripping wash's until the VM is built.

You'll be looking for a bigger fermenter soon enough :lol:

[Sam.]

I am thinking of making a pot still head down the track as I only have a reflux, but what I don't see in that picture is any sort of way of condensing it with the help of water.

Does it just condense on it's own and come out hot?

[MacStill]

I am thinking of making a pot still head down the track as I only have a reflux, but what I don't see in that picture is any sort of way of condensing it with the help of water.

Does it just condense on it's own and come out hot?

Just pull the marbles out of your current dubble bunga and you got a fuckin awesome pot still ;)

[Sam.]

Sweet! That saves some time and money!

[MacStill]

Sweet! That saves some time and money!

My consultant fees are cheap, I'll send you the bill ;)

:lol: :lol: :lol:

[bradsgonetrekkin]

I am thinking of making a pot still head down the track as I only have a reflux, but what I don't see in that picture is any sort of way of condensing it with the help of water.

Does it just condense on it's own and come out hot?

Most simple pot stills just need a product condensor, not a reflux condensor thats in a typical reflux column. Theres heaps of different types, the old moonshiners just used a copper coiled "worm" in a barrell of water...

My plan is to have a 3/4 ss triclamp ferrule connection for whats known as a leibig condensor attach to liquify the vapour. At this stage it'll probably be around 600mm long with 3/4 inch outer pipe and 1/2 inch inner pipe. Cooling water passess through the outside water jacket, alcohol through the internal pipe. I'll be able to swap the condensor between the pot and reflux still heads as well.

What Mcstill said is right too, most reflux stills can be used for pot stilling by removing the reflux medium from the column.

I just saw the pic of your double barrelled column too - What a beast!!!!

[bradsgonetrekkin]

Got the pot head done yesterday. Shes a bit ugly but I think she'll perform for me. :twisted:

[Kimbo]

Nice one mate, should look shmick when its all cleaned up ;)

[bradsgonetrekkin]

Thanks Kimbo. I gave her a nice bath of citric acid and water and after soaking overnight most of the crap came off pretty easy. Will let you know how she goes.

[SBB]

Nice job Brad.....should be no end of things you can do with the two stills you now have.

[Tracker]

Quote: Got the pot head done yesterday. Shes a bit ugly but I think she'll perform for me.

There is no difference between ugly and practical.
The difference lies between ugly and beautiful and all that needs is a bit of polish to make the change.
The most important thing is "does it produce"


Cheers.

[bradsgonetrekkin]

Had a day off today so I gave the pot still its first alcohol run. All went pretty well.

Using around 8.4 litres of heads/tails from old runs and around 23litres of water in the still it took around 50mins heat up time, then after foreshots I collected the alcohol at around 3.75 litres per hour. The boiler and leibig condensor did their jobs, and used my parrot for the first time too. The distillate temp at the parrot was around the 40 degree mark so the 2400 watt element and 630mm leibig seem to be about right.

From turn on to turn off around 3 hrs and 20 mins. I love it when a plan comes together.... 8-)

Looking forward to getting some neutral stripped so I can give the vm column a whirl soon...

[R-sole]

Do you have a little copper or stainless mesh stretched thin and shoved up the liebig?

This will make a large difference to the performance of your condensor.

[bradsgonetrekkin]

No 5Star, the inner line has a bit of crimping to induce turbulence but no packing.

I'll put some in for the next run, ta for the tip ;)

[R-sole]

You're welcome. You only need a few long wispy bits.