StillSmart

You make a valid point Racker.

Robert.

True dat.

I did look at flat boilers and I have an old heat plate I use for melting wax when I do sculpting. However, by the time I factor in a purpose built boiler, or adapting a pot myself, the cost was about the same. Home build may be cheaper (or not, once I've bought the tools) but the time it would take to learn the skills and actually make something that is safe and reliable would defeat the object of me wanting a larger still! I'd probably need a better hot plate too, as it's only a £13 auction site cheapo. The t500 boiler is safe, purpose built and can be sold on if(when!) I upgrade at a later date. I think I've actually decided on a t500 boiler with stillDragon pot still head. Then with a couple of additional purchases (column and dephleg + some others) I'll have a reflux still too. Total cost only £90 more than pure t500 full kit, with future proofing.

Have a look at this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrCjMhF-U_o

£114 delivered for the still, just have to source an adequate pressure cooker.

This is a much cheaper way of upgrading. It's what I'm going to do.

Regards.

I am looking forward to the review.

As am I. £114 seems quite reasonable.

Mr Manning's name has been put out there a few times, no conclusions seen so far.

BlindXX's comments seem to show that he has made a considered choice.
Maybe not the one that I would make, but I can't fault his logic.
If you can afford to not let purchase cost be too big an issue, then sometimes simply shopping around is the better way to go. It can save a whole lot of time.
Sometimes people with cash have no time, and people with time have no cash.

Robert.

Racker wrote:As am I. £114 seems quite reasonable.

With an induction hotplate and induction pressure cooker. That could make a nice and very controllable setup

Time is, indeed, my greatest enemy. I probably only get 8 or 9 weekends a year to run a still. And by the time I've bought the tools and wasted some materials learning skills, price would probably be similar. As I'm looking at a basic pot head, with an additional reflux condenser and two additional columns (20 and 50 cm) stilldragons modular nature means this can be put together as a reflux still, pot still, vapor gin column and a 1m carbon filter. It gives me pretty much all I need and looks great too. Also, safety wise it's all fit for purpose! No poisonous solder or pressure bomb making! As long as you're all around you give me help on running a reflux still, I should be all good!