StillSmart

I get bored easily and am always looking for ways to improve what I have or do and my brewing/distilling is no different.

I recently decided that, at my age, I should avoid lifting heavy things as far as possible. Things like lifting my boiler, after a run, so I can open the drain tap and rinse it out. Things like lifting heavy containers of Low Wines to fill the boiler in prep for a Spirit Run etc.

To achieve this I needed to get my boiler in a fixed position on the floor and my Low Wines storage in a position where I could simply open a tap to fill the boiler.This required a little reorganisation and the use of a reliable pump



Job done I now have two head setups. One, as seen above, for stripping runs and one for spirit runs.

This is the where the condenser feeds to the Parrot which is placed inside the opening at the top of the storage keg


The difference between the two is one piece of copper tubing and the parrot. On the stripping runs I needed the condenser to feed my parrot and run directly to storage. Hence the tall section off the Thumper to lift the condenser high enough to run into the storage keg. The storage keg is at a height, relative to the boiler, where I only have to turn a tap to fill the boiler from it.

On the Spirit Runs the setup is a little simpler as there is no need for the Parrot and the condenser is run at counter level and feeds to collection jars.

The pump fitted to the drain tap of the boiler is a 12V pump designed for use in solar heating systems. (http://shop.solarproject.co.uk/sp2020-e ... -p-10.html) It can handle temps up to 105oC and is made of food grade materials. The power controller for the pump is actually designed for use with a tattoo machine but it does this job perfectly too (Nod and a Wink to Optic for help with that)

The only thing left to simplify now is the transfer of finished wash to the boiler for stripping. I'm awaiting delivery of a 60lt fermenter which I will use as a holding tank into which all cleared washes will be transferred and can be pumped to the boiler at the flick of a switch using another 12V solar project pump.

This is what it all looks like at worktop level now.


Another innovation (toy) I've added in recent times is the use of pure Oxygen for wash aeration.



This setup is a disposable Oxygen bottle, a regulator, a flow meter, a .5 micron stainless steel airstone, some plastic and stainless steel tubing. The theory being that using oxygen instead of just trying to beat air, containing oxygen, into the wash would make life easier. At the correct flow rate each bottle should aerate 100 X 25lt washes and the bottle costs 23 Euros making the cost just 0.23 Euro cent per wash. This has resulted in a measurable improvement in the finishing gravity of my grain brews but not so much with sugar heads - go figure

I'll be running grain next week and I must remember to post pics of my grain processing boiler. I had hoped to produce a commercial version but I can't get a patent without spending tons of money that I don't have. So I'm just going to post pics and details here and you can build your own if you want.

AM

Impressive

Looking good AM...wish I had that much room to play with..

The limited space available was also a big driver in my decision to get rid of heavy lifting and get my setup compacted. That and the fact that my two sons, who often do the heavy lifting for or with me, are heading off to the US in a few months and I needed to get ready for working alone

AM

I've spent more time this morning taking a closer look at your photos, it's a brilliant setup....makes one think a lot more about how I may rebuild my beer setup to incorporate my new hobby to run along side each other.
If I can get all the spuds & onions that we've bagged up off the allotment out the way I may stand a chance..

One daft Q tho...and I think I know the answer is the insulation on the pipe work to keep the vapour temp up...until it hits the condenser??? I cant think of another reason...

Icefever wrote:..... is the insulation on the pipe work to keep the vapour temp up...until it hits the condenser??? I cant think of another reason...

Yup! I figure if I keep everything insulated on the boiler side of the condenser I'll need less power to run the still. In the big scheme of things it may reduce my Still's carbon footprint

AM

Nice work aidanmac

Great setup aidanmac I just wish I had that much space for my T500.

Yes, I agree with you on the reduced lifting...a great setup which will serve you well. Well Done.

e2a: You're missing a chair, music centre and a kettle! ;-)

Actually, I took the pic from the armchair in my relax area while listening to F. Mac on serious stereo with a mug of coffee made by fair trade virgin maidens I keep in my brewery

I got it made

AM

You relax while FMac is on?

Oh Jeez....Just torture me with some Richard Clayderman, why don't you?

FMac is deserving of top vol, serious dancing and singing until you're hoarse.

Not only do I play Rumours at least weekly, Black Sab is played daily! >:D

Relax when you're dead!


e2a: the devil emoticon doesn't work. ta.

Nay! Relaxation is the reward of the dedicated distiller and I make the most of it any chance I get ...+ at my age I'm entitled

AM

I thought I was doing good fitting a PRV! LOL. What a great set up.

AM, man I like that set up.