StillSmart

Hi all, some of you may remeber a while back (end of last year I think) I was asking lots of questions anbout a new still. This may be the wrong thread but I have now finally aquired and assembledmy new still, and thought I'd share the experience. I don't know if this is the correct thread, but it's not "off the shelf" as such although I've not built anything from scratch myself.

The boiler is t500 bought from UK, all the rest I sourced on the Ali express. As I bought the column parts one by one, they mostly came in under Import Duty levels and Tax, so the whole build was around £450. It took a long time (and I know my setup is wrong - I didn't have enough hose left for a separate reflux column source. I have the components for it). It works great for the price and I can add to it as I go. The hardest part was sourcing adaptors for the hose fittings. I'd like to add a bubble plate column but I'm worried about the weight on the t500 lid, and money is tight as I'm getting married in three weeks

Interesting you mention Ali Express. I have looked a couple of times and never used it yet. I guess it came through.

Smashing still, modular works, 'cos brewing/stillin stuff is always work in progress. I am convinced half the fun is the building & tweaking.

Have you run out yet?
Something for the top table?

I wish I could do something for the top table but the venue has it locked down tight. If they even find evidence of people drinking in their rooms we get charged! Gotta say, in pot still mode (I just don't connect the reflux) it works like a dream. 25l wash stripped in 2.5hrs, used to be 6 runs in the air still (approx 27hrs run time!). Reflux, it ws my first time over the weekend, and it took me a while to get it stable. I was drawing off a bit quick maybe, 88% purity, which I'm perfectly happy with for a first time. I got 4l, which is approx 30% more total volume than running the airstill.

You can beat an Air still, but it still has it's place.
Mine will be fired up this week for Gin, for making Sloe Gin.

Robert.

It is a good feeling when "it works" after you have put in the time and the research yourself. Well done.

Have your already got and changes planned?

100% with you there ED. Mine will indeed be out soon for a few gin runs. Always a place for the air still, just not for 25l of wash! Mash, no changes planned yet, except for more copper packing, a filter plate, potential bubble plate column and a gin basket. So, yes, lots of changes apparently! But first I need to learn this set up. More tubing to separate the two condensers is the first step.

If you are like me, you will find a set-up where you are content, and stick with what you have.
Some here constantly tweak their rigs.
We are all correct.
We are just different, with different agenda.

Robert.