StillSmart

To be honest there are no correct answers. If you put a good pot stilled rum against a good reflux column rum, you probably couldn't tell much difference. It is personal choice.

A lot of folks make very good rum with a detuned packed column. Set up a packed column to make neutral and it is very difficult to make it produce anything else. You need to introduce inefficiency to get flavoured product.

There is a problem with mixed plated/packed columns. They both have their own ideal vapour speed, so you might need to put a 3" packed section over a 4" plated section.

I would honestly recommend that you split tne still. Use a pot or plated still for flavoured product and run diluted high wines (nearly neutral) through a packed column to finish cleaning it to your desired quality.

If you want neutral it really is worth investing in a packed column specifically for that product.

I have to agree here.
There is no one and only method.



Robert.

@ Sportone: I would have thrown my opinion in sooner but I have been travelling. Arrived home yesterday and ready to get back into it all.

A 50L boiler is an ideal size. Once up to temp will take 3-3.5 hours to do a stripping run, and 4-4.5 hours on a spirit run - for rum. This is subject to change depending on volume, final SG and ABV pulled off, etc. Just giving an idea. For a neutral, the spirit run will be a lot longer

A 2" column still is all you need for a 50L boiler. I do not use any packing when making rum. You do not want any reflux. You need the characteristics of rum to come across. Whether you decide on a pot or column you will push the still hard and fast for rum.

Neutral, or vodka is a whole different story. If using a column, it will take 2-2.5 times as long to do a spirit run. This is after you have got up to temp and then let the still equilibrate for at least 30 minutes. You will need to use a fully packed column, and in my case it is 3 times the length of the column I use for rum. But then I don't accept a vodka that is not tasteless and odorless. I don't believe in having to use a charcoal filter. If you make it right you will not need to.

Hope it helps. Cheers.

Hi Guy's,

Thank you all for your replies, a lot of help and info there for me to move forward with.

Ha! just thought, this is just for getting equipment, wait till the fun begins, more questions?

PS
Was about to buy a baby crystal dragon when I noticed Anavrin's videos, I see he's used the baby crystal but has since changed to the 4" dash, this got me second guessing as to, was this the way to go lol.
Just wondered what his & anyone else's thoughts and advice would be on buying the baby crystal.
Just don't want to make a mistake on any purchase.
I tried to Pm him but the message wouldn't send for some reason

thanks
Steve

Pm should work..I Pm'd him on Sunday....try again...he'll see this anyway..

PS

I tried to Pm him but the message wouldn't send for some reason

thanks
Steve

It may simply be that his inbox is full, you sometimes need to remember to clear it out, and if you are as wary as me, to back the old messages up first.
No-one will ever catch me out with a copy of a post that I cannot challenge with authenticity.
I sometimes think that it is sad world that I now inhabit.

Robert.