StillSmart

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-28T10:24:28+00:00

OK I did calculate it.

Max power for optimum vapour speed of 16" per second, is 167 watts. That assumes you have a reflux condenser capable of providing the reflux ratio that is required to maintain product quality at that speed.

If you don't you need to run slower to maintain the product quality.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Mon Mar 28, 2016 10:24 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-28T03:33:53+00:00

The cheap stock pot is almost certain to leak from the rivets on the handles, As for the column the design is a poor one, even if it were made in a reasonable size tube. That looks like 22 mm and a packed 22 mm column is virtually useless.

Even as a pot still that would be the minimum size tube I would recommend.

Such a short, packed column in so small a diameter? The maximum power you could apply will be very low indeed. I won't calculate it but it will be only a few hundred watt and probably a lot less.

Compare it to a PDA1 which with a bigger column and a coil reflux condenser is rated at 750 watt and requires high reflux ratios to achieve decent product. You can get vodka from a short column but it needs to be a better design than the one shown.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Mon Mar 28, 2016 3:33 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-28T01:28:34+00:00

I will admit that the products from my first still, around 30 years ago, may not have been of the finest quality, due to there being no internet, and no sites like this one.
Equally,I did use a fair amount of Gaffer tape!

The products didn't kill me,I was young and resilient then.
They made me the person that I am today.
Old and Crocked!
Cumbria,August.
Be there or be square

Robert.

And if you are out of the loop and interested. PM me for details

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Mar 28, 2016 1:28 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-27T19:32:03+00:00

If he's on here, will he put his hands up?

To be honest, I'd have been quite pleased with myself if I'd managed to put that together as a total novice.

Statistics: Posted by Seagull — Sun Mar 27, 2016 7:32 pm

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-27T18:37:15+00:00

He probably wondered why his vodka all tastes like hammerite & decided to give it up as a bad job! Any money recovered at that point was a bonus

Statistics: Posted by Benoit — Sun Mar 27, 2016 6:37 pm

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-27T11:00:51+00:00

hampk wrote:
I don't think the pipe work was his - there's a guy in Somerset flogging these
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Copper-Moonshine-Still-Head-Alcohol-Vodka-liquor-Production-For-Pressure-Cooker-/222043331740?hash=item33b2d05c9c:g:MNAAAOSwJb9WtNNG
which look identical to what was on top of the saucepan.

There was someone over Kent way that was selling those before. It was the similarity that made me think that while the starting bid was good, the rest of it was of dubious quality i.e. stuff like what appeared to be duct tape holding the lid on etc.......

if it was someones first attempt, fine...........

Statistics: Posted by Phantom — Sun Mar 27, 2016 11:00 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-27T10:39:22+00:00

I did notice the similarity must admit....so the guy seller the "still" did well out of the bay....payed £50 for the column plus the cost of the pot.

Sold it for £30..

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Mar 27, 2016 10:39 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-27T10:29:30+00:00

I don't think the pipe work was his - there's a guy in Somerset flogging these

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Copper-Moonshine-Still-Head-Alcohol-Vodka-liquor-Production-For-Pressure-Cooker-/222043331740?hash=item33b2d05c9c:g:MNAAAOSwJb9WtNNG

which look identical to what was on top of the saucepan.

Statistics: Posted by hampk — Sun Mar 27, 2016 10:29 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-27T00:01:21+00:00

Seagull wrote:
Maybe it was the guy's first attempt? Flog it off, get money for new materials and make attempt number 2 better.

That is an incisive comment. Nice!

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sun Mar 27, 2016 12:01 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-26T12:05:38+00:00

Maybe it was the guy's first attempt? Flog it off, get money for new materials and make attempt number 2 better.

Statistics: Posted by Seagull — Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:05 pm

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-26T11:49:30+00:00

Icefever wrote:
When you work out the cost of the pot, copper, fittings, and time to build, then it sells for £30???
Not a great deal of profit there then....

especially when it seems to have been done as badly as the pictures suggested.........

Statistics: Posted by Phantom — Sat Mar 26, 2016 11:49 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-26T08:06:26+00:00

When you work out the cost of the pot, copper, fittings, and time to build, then it sells for £30???
Not a great deal of profit there then....

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sat Mar 26, 2016 8:06 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-26T00:00:46+00:00

I am too late to own this stunning product, but it seems to have a new owner for £30.
May they live long and prosper.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sat Mar 26, 2016 12:00 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-25T10:09:30+00:00

Seagull wrote:
Says heated on a standard gas or electric hob but doesn't say whether suitable for an induction plate.

Ah, well IMO little more than scrap value then.........

Myles wrote:
Please don't consider it. You could do a lot better yourself.

My conclusion too.........

Statistics: Posted by Phantom — Fri Mar 25, 2016 10:09 am

Re: Cheap ready made still on eBay, but be quick!

2016-03-25T09:23:04+00:00

Please don't consider it. You could do a lot better yourself.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Fri Mar 25, 2016 9:23 am