StillSmart

Hi - hope its ok to post a link to another site here but found this while "busy" at work ... seems like something I could solder together ...lol

http://www.stilltutorial.com

not sure about the cooling pipe wrapped round the outside though ?

This might be a project if everyone thinks it's ok

Iain

These plans pop up quite regularly.

They are of an old design that is difficult to control, is expensive to build and does not perform too well.

There are better designs available.

What type of spirits do you want to make ?

Cheers YHB

Just after a pure spirit (vodka) mainly ...

Based on your previous advice I am converting my 26 litre swan boiler .. going to go down the route you suggested so I can use it as a fast pot still for stripping then a different head for pure spirit production ...

Any advice gratefully received !

Iain

+1 on those plans. There are a number of 'features' I wouldn't be keen on and as YHB said there are better designs available.

AM

Iain

The still in the plans is a CM (Cooling Management) still which is controlled by adjusting the flow of cooling water to the coil so that a proportion of the vapour is allowed past the coil.

LM (Liquid Management) stills condense all the vapour and allow you to remove an adjustable amount of condensate.

VM (Vapour Management) stills work by allowing part of the rising vapour to be diverted to the condenser before it reaches the coil.

It is generally acknowledged that LM & VM stills work better than the CM variety, which one to build is down to cost, skills, material availability. LM versions are better at compressing the fore shots and heads whilst the VM are better at compressing the tails. LM stills are cheaper to build and require a needle valve, VM stills are more straightforward to build and require a gate valve.

Here is a great read for LM stills

http://wiki.homedistiller.org/index.php ... w_To_Build

Another for VM stills

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=787

It is possible to combine the two types of still and build a LM/VM Combo that gives you the best of both worlds. Many people start off with one type and then add the other facility at a later date.

Here is a link to a thread combining the two systems.

viewtopic.php?f=15&t=1437

Iain you may have read the links before but I posted them for the benefit of other readers as well.

Thank you all

will crack on reading ... and then be back with some more questions I reckon !!!!

I can do basic brazing (though i have always used a hot air gun) but I do like a challenge !

Iain

Build a.plated column, won't look back