Home distilled

[Toxxyc]

OK I'm definitely not going to go CCVM. At the most, I'll build a section that'll slot into the top end of the column that'll turn the still into full-blown reflux. But that's about it.

[ColeGP]

OK I'm definitely not going to go CCVM. At the most, I'll build a section that'll slot into the top end of the column that'll turn the still into full-blown reflux. But that's about it.

that would make it a CCVM if you slot something in from the top.

At least you managed to find somebody who can help you cut and weld the bits you need onto the keg, will make your life a whole lot easier.
If you plan on adding a 4 inch ferrule on top, I would advise not to replace the normal 2 inch fitting (then you need all sorts of reducers and a 4-2 reducer is over R1k itself) rather just fit the 4 inch to the side.
You can also then dump in more distillate if you want to do a second stripping run, and not have to disassemble everything.

[Andrew Leigh]

that would make it a CCVM if you slot something in from the top.

At least you managed to find somebody who can help you cut and weld the bits you need onto the keg, will make your life a whole lot easier.
If you plan on adding a 4 inch ferrule on top, I would advise not to replace the normal 2 inch fitting (then you need all sorts of reducers and a 4-2 reducer is over R1k itself) rather just fit the 4 inch to the side.
You can also then dump in more distillate if you want to do a second stripping run, and not have to disassemble everything.

So curiously why a 4" and not a 2". I have a funnel to feed the kettle.

What are the advantages of a sight glass over a blanking plate?

[ColeGP]

So curiously why a 4" and not a 2". I have a funnel to feed the kettle.

What are the advantages of a sight glass over a blanking plate?

Well most people will fit a 4 inch in order to allow you to get your arm in to clean the keg properly.
There is no advantage putting a clear piece instead of a blanking plate other than some people want to be able to look into the still (cos its cool).

[Toxxyc]

that would make it a CCVM if you slot something in from the top.

I think I explained it badly. It won't be CCVM - I'll build a ~30cm "reflux piece" that I'll fit to the top of the column if I want to make it run reflux, like a whatchamacallit, defrag?

If I want to run it as a pot still, I just leave that piece off completely.

[ColeGP]

I think I explained it badly. It won't be CCVM - I'll build a ~30cm "reflux piece" that I'll fit to the top of the column if I want to make it run reflux, like a whatchamacallit, defrag?

If I want to run it as a pot still, I just leave that piece off completely.

dephlegemator, you are going to have a lot of fun.

[Toxxyc]

dephlegemator, you are going to have a lot of fun.

LOL it sounds like more of a warning than anything else... I plan on buying one sommer off the shelf. Should be fine, no?

[Andrew Leigh]

Some configurations. The I can still add a thumper, have my choice of condensers etc.

[ColeGP]

Just out of interest thats my column and condenser, the column is on its 4th or 5th iteration, can't remember now.
Went from a short column to taller to this then that and now it has a tri clamp under the reflux pipes for when I eventually can get a sight glass and bubble plate

[Toxxyc]

OK so I picked up some parts to day. Went with a 3/4" nipple and 3-piece ball valve instead. Price was like R30 more and it's WAAAAAY nicer than 1/2".

I also got a 2" ferrule for the element, and two tri clamps to fit everything together in the end. Starting to feel like I'm making progress now...

[Andrew Leigh]

OK so I picked up some parts to day. Went with a 3/4" nipple and 3-piece ball valve instead. Price was like R30 more and it's WAAAAAY nicer than 1/2".

I also got a 2" ferrule for the element, and two tri clamps to fit everything together in the end. Starting to feel like I'm making progress now...

Great news. Lets see the end product when done.

[Searcher]

Stupid question, but why the Liebig and the coil ?

I first just used the coil condenser with ice, but that became a schlep, using around 10 kg of ice each run.
I then built the Liebig counter flow condenser, it works really well and makes the whole distilling process much easier.
So I kept the coil condensors for two reasons:
1) More copper for the distillate to flow through and come into contact with.
2) When pushing the still hard, like on a strip run the distillate comes out quite warm, but with water added in the coil condenser it comes out at constant tempetature, with is perfect for accurate measuring of the ABV.

[Toxxyc]

I first just used the coil condenser with ice, but that became a schlep, using around 10 kg of ice each run.
I then built the Liebig counter flow condener, it works really well and makes the whole distilling process much easier.
So I kept the coil condensors for two reasons:
1) More copper for the distillate to flow through and come into contact with.
2) When pushing the still hard, like on a strip run the distillate comes out quite warm, but with water added in the coil condenser it comes out at constant tempetature, with is perfect for accurate measuring of the ABV.

Yeah I thought the same. I'd love that, but budget for now. Trying to sell my pressure cooker still to fund a bit of this, but it's going slow.

[Benson]

Made a thumper for a gent this past weekend.

[ColeGP]

Made a thumper for a gent this past weekend.

Interesting, how did you mange to do the return pipe, I am assuming its somehow built into the one pipe I can see, but how?

[Toxxyc]

The larger diameter (fixed to the lid) carries vapour out, to the condenser, while the smaller diameter inside it carries the fluid in, from the lyne arm.

[Searcher]

I thought a glass thumper was a huge NO in home distilling ?

[Andrew Leigh]

The larger diameter (fixed to the lid) carries vapour out, to the condenser, while the smaller diameter inside it carries the fluid in, from the lyne arm.

Did you get a 15mm 90degree into that fitting?

Nice.

[Toxxyc]

It's not mine guys, I have no idea how he did it...

[Emmie L]

Why copper tubing, condensors etc? Why not glass? I would have thought that glass distillation equipment would be much easier to obtain. And a glassblower can do any spec requirements for a unique setup.

What is the chemical interaction with copper that is essential to the process?