Cleaning old central heating pipes for still build.

[Myles]

The only real issue I have is that most of the UK pressure cookers are so small. Whilst you can run a small pot still it is easier with a bigger one because the transitions between the cuts are also bigger.

It is just a case of convenience. And as boilers in the 30 to 50 litre range are so available perhaps the pressure cooker is not the best choice.

That said the best pressure cookers I have seen for the job are these.
https://www.amazon.com/All-American-921-2-Quart-Pressure/dp/B00004S88Z

Yes aluminium, but anodised, and they last for ever.

[Dave]

Yes aluminium, but anodised, and they last for ever.

But.....the PRICE!!!!!.... Out of the question for me, I'm afraid!!
My cooker is 6 litres, so I'll be able to comfortably accomodate a gallon of wash at a time, which will be ample to begin with. As I said, I want the joy of building a still that will give me a drinkable product. Once I'm comfortable running that, maybe, I can think of moving onto something bigger, and a bit more adventurous. But it's very early days yet, so I'm taking it real slow.

[Easydrinker]

Dave, first,let me welcome you to the forum.
If you don't drink the amount of home made spirit that I do, the size of boiler you propose,is bigger than the standard Smart Still, and will work, and keep you supplied, it does so for many here, but I can understand other users advising you to go Large.
You have to cut your suit according to the cloth available.
Look at me 5'6" and perfect

Robert.

[Mash]

If you have freezer space for your fermenter you could jack it first. Saves a lot of individual strip runs.

[Dave]

Well, I've managed to procure a stainless steel boiler.....from a tip!! Was dumping some stuff and my son in law told me there was, what to him, looked like some sort of pressure vessel within ver easy reach, so I sidled up, no one around, and grabbed it! It's absolutely perfect! It has two handles, a welded port at the bottom, that has a keg type plastic tap in at the moment,and a welded port at the top with what looks to be either a two inch (50.8mm) or a 50mm x 1.5mm pitch thread in it. I need to get my thread gauges and vernier out to ascertain exactly. The dimensions are approx 11 inches diameter x 1 foot in height, which gives it just over 4 gallons capacity. I'll post a pic or two of it asap!I've no idea what it has been used for, but it smells clean, and just has a bit of water in it.Anyway, I'm pleased as punch!!

@Mash, no freezer space!...
@Easydrinker...thanks for the welcome...

[Curmudgeon]

1) insane false economy

2) no-one in UK with that plumbing knowledge has any excuse for not making silly money and having access to trade prices for parts.

[Icefever]

I'll post a pic or two of it asap!I've no idea what it has been used for, but it smells clean, and just has a bit of water in it.Anyway, I'm pleased as punch!!

Jammy dodger you... well done. Is it a tea urn??..the start of a still somebody has thrown away?? can't wait for a photo.

[Dave]

1) insane false economy

2) no-one in UK with that plumbing knowledge has any excuse for not making silly money and having access to trade prices for parts.

Insane?.....Really?

I have VERY limited plumbing knowledge. My forte is engineering. Although, a lot of engineering principles are applicable to many other related disciplines.

[Mash]

Good find. If it is stainless 99.9% of the time you don't need to worry about previous contents you can get it clean. Although it has to be said, some cleaning jobs are bigger than others. :-)

Go on......... share a photo.

[Easydrinker]

I am intrigued by this find...

Robert.

[Dave]

http://www.rumgallery.com/_Media/copper ... torts.jpeg

[Icefever]

WOW what a find...if you can find a way of fitting (weld) a 2" ferrule on the top you could then use a 2" tri-clamp.. make a straight forward pothead for it. Fit a SS tap instead of the plastic one...

If you can also fit an element, no need for a hotplate....jobs a good un..

[Dave]

Thanks!
I don't want to start cutting it about, although an internal heater would be nice!

[Icefever]

You can buy bendable elements, would do the job nice.

[Dave]

Ooooh, can you give me a link, please?