Building a still for gin

Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Sun Apr 17, 2022 6:46 pm

Hi guys,

I'm looking to build a dedicated still just for gin.

I have an 8L urn, 1300w, I can tame that with a power controller. I'm planning on cutting a hole in the lid to take a 2" tri-clover
bulkhead adapter, and using some of the parts from my 2" pot still on top of that.

I'm thinking about making a 600mm (approx) liebeg condenser to run off it.

Will 600mm be long enough?

This will only be for small batch gin, I have the 2" pot for stripping and other flavour runs, and (for now) the T500 copper reflux
for neutral.

All thoughts and suggestions welcome. Thanks.


Best regards
Mark
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby RC Al » Sun Apr 17, 2022 11:56 pm

600mm is heaps, you will only need about 5-700 watts for that boiler at spirit run speed, sounds like a solid plan :handgestures-thumbupleft:
RC Al
Mentor
 
Posts: 1568
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:58 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast Area
equipment: 3 plate 4" glasser
2" Potty

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Mon Apr 18, 2022 7:42 am

Thanks for that RC AL :text-thankyoublue:
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby Professor Green » Mon Apr 18, 2022 7:07 pm

How are you planning on sealing the lid on the urn to ensure no vapour escapes where it shouldn't? Most urns I've seen don't have lids that form an airtight seal.
Professor Green
 
Posts: 2483
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2015 1:10 pm
Location: Victoria
equipment: FSD 100 litre milk can with 2 x 2400W elements
FSD Neutraliser
FSD Carter Head
12 litre double boiler with 2400W element

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Mon Apr 18, 2022 10:55 pm

Hi Professor,

An excellent question, and I'm still working on that.

I'm kicking around a couple of ideas at the moment, either find an O-ring the right size and wrap it in PTFE tape,
or run a thin bead of silicone around the top that the lid can seat in to. I have some clips for the T500 boiler on the
way, I was going to either bolt them on, or if I feel ambitious enough, TIG weld them on.

Leaning towards bolting, not sure I can TIG the thin walls of the urn.
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby atec77 » Mon Apr 18, 2022 11:25 pm

you might split some silicon tube and slip it over the urn top under the lid?
atec77
 
Posts: 62
Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2021 8:33 pm
equipment: Reflux
4 plate
6 plate

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Tue Apr 19, 2022 5:47 am

Hi atec77,

That's a good idea, thanks.

I'm going to look into that. I was thinking of something along those lines, but hadn't considered silicone tube.

Thanks again.
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby Professor Green » Tue Apr 19, 2022 8:18 pm

Whatever you end up doing you do need make sure it is leak-proof.

Is there any reason you can't use the T500 boiler instead of the urn?
Professor Green
 
Posts: 2483
Joined: Fri Apr 17, 2015 1:10 pm
Location: Victoria
equipment: FSD 100 litre milk can with 2 x 2400W elements
FSD Neutraliser
FSD Carter Head
12 litre double boiler with 2400W element

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby The Stig » Tue Apr 19, 2022 9:14 pm

I hate the word Urn
The Stig
Site Nerd
 
Posts: 18192
Images: 9
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 am
equipment: Only the Best will Do.
Mac4 SSG Bubbles of Joy

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Tue Apr 19, 2022 10:28 pm

Hi guys,

Thanks Professor, I'll make sure. I wanted something smaller that the T500 boiler for small batches, was looking at
your bain marie idea for a bit. I thought a small urn... um, boiler (sorry Stig) would be better.

If it doesn't work, at least I'll have learned something.

Thanks for the input guys, it's very much appreciated.
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby RC Al » Tue Apr 19, 2022 11:25 pm

Teach me to post late at night lols

Im with PG, just use the t500 boiler, its element is concealed yes? If so, zero difference to the urn in function.
RC Al
Mentor
 
Posts: 1568
Joined: Mon Oct 23, 2017 4:58 pm
Location: Sunshine Coast Area
equipment: 3 plate 4" glasser
2" Potty

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:37 am

You guys have talked me into it, I'll use the T500 boiler to start with. Elements are concealed, yes.
I'm still going to work on the small boiler for small runs though.

The liebig condenser is still in the works, want to build it as much for the experience as anything else.
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby The Stig » Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:45 am

I do small batch’s in a T500 boiler.
I can do as little as 1 Liter
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
The Stig
Site Nerd
 
Posts: 18192
Images: 9
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 am
equipment: Only the Best will Do.
Mac4 SSG Bubbles of Joy

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Wed Apr 20, 2022 3:48 pm

Thanks Stig, I do like the look of that.

Do you put the botanicals in the boiler, or do you macerate for longer and strain?
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby The Stig » Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:16 pm

I macerate in a demi for 24 hours at 90+% then water down and dump the lot into the boiler
I like simple :laughing-rolling:
The Stig
Site Nerd
 
Posts: 18192
Images: 9
Joined: Sun Jun 19, 2011 8:37 am
equipment: Only the Best will Do.
Mac4 SSG Bubbles of Joy

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Wed Apr 20, 2022 5:34 pm

Ah cool, thanks. :handgestures-thumbupleft:
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Sat May 07, 2022 4:24 pm

Ok, got the liebig built (pics when she's pretty), no leaks, very happy.

Going to give her a bath in 5% citric solution, how long does it need to soak for?

Also, does it need to be hot, warm, or just tap water?

Thanks
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby BigRig » Sat May 07, 2022 6:20 pm

Cold tap water for an hour is plenty
BigRig
 
Posts: 752
Joined: Sun Apr 07, 2019 1:29 pm
Location: Brisbane, QLD
equipment: FSD 4" Mac SSG, 50L Milk Can, 2 x 2400w elements, 35L Digiboil Boiler, Airstill.

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Sat May 07, 2022 6:27 pm

Cheers for that BigRig
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Re: Building a still for gin

Postby MarkA » Sun May 08, 2022 4:19 pm

Well she's finished, and I'm pretty happy with my first attempt at a build, and my first go at soldering pipe.

Total length is 950mm from Tri-clamp fitting to tip, water jacket is 650mm. There's a wire inside the water jacket.

Thanks for the help guys, much appreciated.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
MarkA
Site Donor
 
Posts: 57
Joined: Wed Dec 15, 2021 5:06 am
Location: Southern NSW
equipment: Still Spirits T500 with copper reflux column
2" sight glass
FSD 2" pot still with shotgun condenser
FSD 50L milk can boiler with 2- 2400w elements, 4" to 2" reducer
Liebig condenser
FSD 2" Boka
FSD 4” Neutralizer

Next

Return to General Gin Chat



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 4 guests

x