StillSmart

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-16T11:41:26+00:00

Time is, indeed, my greatest enemy. I probably only get 8 or 9 weekends a year to run a still. And by the time I've bought the tools and wasted some materials learning skills, price would probably be similar. As I'm looking at a basic pot head, with an additional reflux condenser and two additional columns (20 and 50 cm) stilldragons modular nature means this can be put together as a reflux still, pot still, vapor gin column and a 1m carbon filter. It gives me pretty much all I need and looks great too. Also, safety wise it's all fit for purpose! No poisonous solder or pressure bomb making! As long as you're all around you give me help on running a reflux still, I should be all good!

Statistics: Posted by BlindXX — Wed Aug 16, 2017 11:41 am

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-16T06:26:11+00:00

Racker wrote:
As am I. £114 seems quite reasonable.

With an induction hotplate and induction pressure cooker. That could make a nice and very controllable setup

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Wed Aug 16, 2017 6:26 am

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-15T22:54:55+00:00

BlindXX's comments seem to show that he has made a considered choice.
Maybe not the one that I would make, but I can't fault his logic.
If you can afford to not let purchase cost be too big an issue, then sometimes simply shopping around is the better way to go. It can save a whole lot of time.
Sometimes people with cash have no time, and people with time have no cash.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Aug 15, 2017 10:54 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-15T19:42:29+00:00

Mr Manning's name has been put out there a few times, no conclusions seen so far.

Statistics: Posted by packapoo — Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:42 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-15T19:14:32+00:00

As am I. £114 seems quite reasonable.

Statistics: Posted by Racker — Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:14 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-15T19:06:42+00:00

I am looking forward to the review.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:06 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-15T17:00:36+00:00

Have a look at this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrCjMhF-U_o

£114 delivered for the still, just have to source an adequate pressure cooker.

This is a much cheaper way of upgrading. It's what I'm going to do.

Regards.

Statistics: Posted by Duffer26 — Tue Aug 15, 2017 5:00 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-15T07:18:47+00:00

I did look at flat boilers and I have an old heat plate I use for melting wax when I do sculpting. However, by the time I factor in a purpose built boiler, or adapting a pot myself, the cost was about the same. Home build may be cheaper (or not, once I've bought the tools) but the time it would take to learn the skills and actually make something that is safe and reliable would defeat the object of me wanting a larger still! I'd probably need a better hot plate too, as it's only a £13 auction site cheapo. The t500 boiler is safe, purpose built and can be sold on if(when!) I upgrade at a later date. I think I've actually decided on a t500 boiler with stillDragon pot still head. Then with a couple of additional purchases (column and dephleg + some others) I'll have a reflux still too. Total cost only £90 more than pure t500 full kit, with future proofing.

Statistics: Posted by BlindXX — Tue Aug 15, 2017 7:18 am

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-15T03:52:42+00:00

True dat.

Statistics: Posted by packapoo — Tue Aug 15, 2017 3:52 am

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-14T22:51:20+00:00

You make a valid point Racker.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:51 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-14T22:38:55+00:00

He could always get a hot plate Packa...

Statistics: Posted by Racker — Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:38 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-14T22:15:03+00:00

The silly and very still have pics and write ups in the Build Yout Own section.
Electric, even electric cooling, hence the titles!

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Aug 14, 2017 10:15 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-14T19:34:48+00:00

Racker wrote:
Let's not completely throw the DIY option out the window. I've seen some pretty simple plans for some refluxes that I reckon anyone could pull off. You'd probably save a fair amount of money, but it wouldn't be electric. However if the convenience of buying a pre made one is more important then the money saved, then the T500 sounds like a solid bet.

Did you factor into your 'convenience' heading the pretty simple fact that for the majority of home stillers, gas is not convenient

Statistics: Posted by packapoo — Mon Aug 14, 2017 7:34 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-14T12:32:41+00:00

Easydrinker wrote:
Good to read your down to earth post.
This time around I started with the Smart still, built my silly still, then very silly still.
I had intentions to then build something better, but between them they do all that I want.
Even with the costly Still Dragon Torpedo, I think the total cost was sub £700.
Should I wish to modify, I have the option.
Taking your time and doing it right can save you money.
Welcome to stilling.

Robert.

Have you posted any pics of the silly and even sillier still, Rob?

Statistics: Posted by H12rpo — Mon Aug 14, 2017 12:32 pm

Re: Upgrade to t500. Or not.

2017-08-14T12:15:10+00:00

Let's not completely throw the DIY option out the window. I've seen some pretty simple plans for some refluxes that I reckon anyone could pull off. You'd probably save a fair amount of money, but it wouldn't be electric. However if the convenience of buying a pre made one is more important then the money saved, then the T500 sounds like a solid bet.

Statistics: Posted by Racker — Mon Aug 14, 2017 12:15 pm