Hello: Newbie advice needed ...

[howellsian]

Good morning,
I am new to the forum ... Hello
I currently do homebrew and am thinking about expanding my operation into some distilling. I have read some of the threads and enjoyed seeing the passion, which i am used to seeing on Home brew forums, on here.
Also the home tinkering / self build projects.

Alas, i am not that handy and do not own soldering stuff.

I am interested in being able to make Gin - and spirit in the 1st instance to flavour - but possibly moving on to whisky, further down the line (given that i can already mash and have all the kit, this seems a desirable advanced step)
Also i grow grapes so wouldnt mind having a bash at distilling those.

I am trying to get my head around the various types of still and what they can do.
Would a T500 with a pot head enable me to do all of the above?
Also has anyone bought stills abroad and exported to the UK that can recommend a site?
Failing that, does anyone on here build stills from scratch for other members (for the right fee, of course)
Thanks
J
Herts

[Capt-Cudellez]

The T500 in its unmolested form makes a decent neutral spirit. You could then use this spirit to make gin if you had a pot head for the boiler.
If you're interested in making an AG whisky then I think you'll find the t500'S 30l boiler a tad on the small side, putting a 5-7% Abv wash into the still, you will need to do lots of stripping runs (the first distillation to increase the ABV) to get a boiler full for doing the spirit run (the final distillation). This is where doing things on a slightly larger volume becomes the most economical use of your time.
You could get a feel for the process using the T500 and move on to larger equipment once you have a taste for it.

[Jedmau5]

I'm thinking about purchasing the Pure Distilling Home Spirit Maker, I'm based in the UK and would have to import from Australia and I have the same concerns. You can also purchase a pot head for the same boiler. I like the sound not having to monitor and adjusting the temperature all the time like you would with the T500. It's all copper and brass as well, but people have concerns over its short column length. I currently have an AirStill and looking to upgrade near the new year

[YHB]

There was a similar question raised a couple of weeks ago, where someone was questioning the suitabilty of the T500.

There were some good responses and it may be worth having a look over it.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1167

A T500 will get you distilling in a very short time, you may chose to stick with it and go no further, but if you want to explore new territory you will have the basic set up to build on.

If you fancy having a go at self build it is not too hard, but can take a while depending on what type of still you choose to make. If you need any advice on building then let me know and I will help if I can.

[howellsian]

I'm thinking about purchasing the Pure Distilling Home Spirit Maker, I'm based in the UK and would have to import from Australia and I have the same concerns. You can also purchase a pot head for the same boiler. I like the sound not having to monitor and adjusting the temperature all the time like you would with the T500. It's all copper and brass as well, but people have concerns over its short column length. I currently have an AirStill and looking to upgrade near the new year

Ive seen this too, although the website it a little short on details, sometimes the whole 'just plug it in and let it run' pitch looks too good to be true.

There was a similar question raised a couple of weeks ago, where someone was questioning the suitabilty of the T500.

There were some good responses and it may be worth having a look over it.

viewtopic.php?f=12&t=1167

YHB i saw that thread and have poured over many more. He was initially asking whether it made decent stuff, my more basic query was what can it make and not understanding the differences between VM LM etc Also the other sites with all the variety of stills with all manner of copper tubing and its al rather confuddling. £350 seems a lot to spend if i can spend £500 and not have to upgrade, so just trying to sort that.

Should you be able to get as much flavour across with a T500 and pot head and a casket / gin basket as with an actual pot still. ie will the %'s still not be higher, therefore a little less flavour ?
YHB, do you still build copper pot heads ?

J

[YHB]

Should you be able to get as much flavour across with a T500 and pot head and a casket / gin basket as with an actual pot still. ie will the %'s still not be higher, therefore a little less flavour ?

Don't get confused over running a T500 in reflux mode with screwing a Pot Head onto the T500 boiler. I think that you are referring to using the t500 reflux head which is when you may reduce flavour, with the Pot Head that would not be an issue.

YHB, do you still build copper pot heads ?

I stopped making stuff for people when one Low Life did a runner without paying the bill.

The hurt is wearing off and I may decide to come out of retirement if I like someone enough.

Good luck with your deliberations.

Brian

[howellsian]

YBH
i guess i was meaning is running the T500 with a pot head on the same as running a purpose built pot still but i you've answered it. (....see basic Q&A's, i did warn you)

I would only get the T500 if i thought it would be flexible enough for my needs, which with a pot head i think it would be for some time
I Need some over time then I think I'll crack on and coax you out of retirement.
>:D

[billmcc]

howellsian if you got the ss super reflux you can operate in pot or reflux mode just by altering the cooling pipes and removing the packing but to achive a similar reflux abv as the T500 you would also need a power controller and scrubbers in place of the ceramic saddles plus if you can find one they are about a hundred quid cheaper than the T500 and also come with the bucket type filter.
I dont know if there is any differance in the quality of the distillate between the two stills but i expect members that have owned both could advise
cheers

[Jimmy]

I stopped making stuff for people when one Low Life did a runner without paying the bill.

I hope it wasn't one of our members?