Basic Pot Plans

[Almanac]

For the benefit of anyone who does not have a self built Pot Still who would like to build one but doesn't know where to start, here's a pair of drawings and some pics from my library from my own build which might be of service. (Click on images for full size details)


and, of course you'll be needing a condenser...



Joining your Pot Head to the boiler depends on the type of boiler you use. I use stainless steel kegs with a 2" or 54mm SS ferrule like this...


...welded to the opening in the keg and another Silver Soldered to the end of the Pot Riser like so...


These ferrules are connected by use of a tri-clamp and gasket like this...


I'll try and put a pdf book together to include more detail.

Any questions feel free to ask or PM me

AM

Afterthought: In the top drawing the Liebig is shown at a 90o angle to the Pot Head and this is for illustration purposes only. The condenser off a Pot Head would usually be run at a quite shallow angle from the Head so please don't PM me to tell me it's wrong .

[ontario23]

This looks great .Are you using this now .

[ontario23]

How are you heating your pot. I was looking at a hot water tank elemnt. I guess you could use gas to get it going and then use 220 Volts. The question I have is I'm on a dug well so if i get a 45 gallon barrel and RV pump do you think it would work for cooling. Thanks

[YHB]

Aidanmac uses an electric internal element as do most people in the UK, gas is not very common here.

I am sure Aidanmac will be along shortly, but in the meantime here is a post to whet your appetite.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1066&start=15#p8421

Again pumped wells are not very common in the UK, however water meters are becoming more common place and making people look at reciculating cooling systems. The method you describe is a good starter, wether 45gallons is enough depends on length of run and temperature of coolant etc etc and if you have a couple of feet of snow outside to shovel into the barrel as it heats up. If in the long run your reciculating system cannot cope it is possible to add a cooling system ( air cooled radiator ) to keep the coolant cool.

[ontario23]

Its seems snow not a problem when you live in Canada . Do you have any problem cleaning your boiler or did you cut a sealed door in it Thanks

[YHB]

Beer keg boilers are very common and the majority of people rely on a hose pipe through a 2" opening to clean them out. There are various ways to add a cleanout big enough to get your arm through.

I use a converted tea urn and can remove the lid to clean the inside, a couple of times after a foamy rum wash I have been glad that I cold get in to clean it.

Many options.

[ontario23]

I use a converted tea urn and can remove the lid to clean the inside, a couple of times after a foamy rum wash I have been glad that I cold get in to clean it.


How do you seal the tea urn to the boiler Thanks

[YHB]

How do you seal the tea urn to the boiler Thanks

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You can do it lot's of ways - starting with the easiest which is flour and water paste and paper clips - mine is well over the top and was made as an entertainment excercise, but seeing as you asked - viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1041

Have a look in the build your own section there are good examples of both Kegs and Tea urns.