StillSmart

Posted: **Sun Mar 15, 2009 6:52 pm**

Just wondering

If i made a pot still with a high column say 1000mm by 1.5in and cooled the column near the top,would i get a higher purity of alcohol. (i know it wouldnt be a reflux still)

Dave

Posted: **Mon Mar 16, 2009 10:32 pm**

Probably the best place to ask is the Home Distillers forum, they have a lot of experienced still makers on there. To my mind, if you\'re going to build a column then why not go the whole hog with a reflux? I\'ve never done this though so like I say, ask an expert!

Posted: **Sat Mar 21, 2009 1:11 am**

You\'d be getting some reflux with a 1 metre column anyway! Pot stills are shaped like that so that they allow a certain amount of refluxing, just not as much as a still with a column that\'s packed with something to increase the refluxing action!

Posted: **Wed Mar 25, 2009 9:08 pm**

In a nutshell, YES. The higher/longer the column or swans neck is, the more reflux. By changing the diametre and taper, it will alter the speed of the vapour which will also vary the amount of reflux. As will dents in the column or swans neck.
There is always diminishing returns of course, but in theory if you built a 20ft column 2\" in dia, then tilted the swans neck up so it\'s at a 45, you would probably strip all the cogeners out and have a pretty tasteless (pure alchy) spirit.