Dear sir thanks for this educational video! My question to you is whats the size of the copper pipes they used? Is there any golden ratio when it comes to pipe size?
Thanks for this post, I had the exact same result. It sounds like he did as well since his last several jars were just water and I assume his thermometer was not at 212° or he would have stopped
I love watching "failure" videos...They show that we are all human and that mistakes people made can be avoided when I give it a try. You may be disappointed, but you taught a lot of people a lot of good information.
Unless you're at sea-level, you need to know what elevation you're distilling at and adjust for atmospheric pressure's effect on vapor pressure. The ethanol fraction run that occurs at 78.3°C/172.9°F at sea-level happens at 72.4°C/162.3°F @ 2443-meters/8,000-feet of elevation above sea level; a difference of over 10-degrees Fahrenheit. If you're at an elevation of 6,000-feet your thermometer should read 200°F in boiling water, since the lower atmospheric pressure at that elevation lowers the boiling point of pure water by 12°F.
love the video. helped me on some points. i have the same setup. do as vevor picture shows: your thumper needs to be above your boiler (in height) and so should your condenser. furthermore. instead of ice. let the bucket overflow with cold water. if else the water heats up in no time.
thank you for this video, it was informative, and helpful. you kept my attention to the end. Cleaning it that thoroughly would never have occurred to me. thumbs up.
KernsJW and jaw bone are correct. Without using the copper tube (that you have as a the drip tube on end of condenser) in the thumper its acting as a slobber box and it's just filling it up and pushing the contents out through condenser. That's why the drip was irregular and not clear. By using the short copper tube inside the thumper, almost reaching the bottom, the steam comes up through the liquid heating it quicker and allowing it to redistill into steam before it pukes into condenser. Bearded and Bored had a video on this. Vevor doesn't do a good job on that part of setup. Good still though.
If you're trying to make the cleanest vodka possible (especially with a sugar mash and something like turbo yeast) you need a column still, not a pot still. With turbo yeast your mash should have come out at the 12 to 14% mark on the hydrometer. This kind of still is designed for something like whiskey where the impurities are part of the flavor.
Love the cleaning process and that chart of temps that all the fractions become vapour. Thats as far as I got before realizing you are a perfectionist. Love it so far and thanks so much. Ok , Back to your movie.
No matter what spirit I’m making, if I’m using my 5 gallon, I always get 1 gallon around 85-90% ABV. I’ve been distilling now for four years and I’m still learning the cuts. I use the same thumper that you use and I love it. I also add a little bit of my mash in it.
Good first attempt. At least you learned from your mistakes. Keep trying, keep learning, and remember to keep it simple. Try without the thumper a while and get used to making good cuts. And remember you can always throw it all back in, cut it down to below 40% and try again. Dont throw anything (except foreshots) away until you are satisfied with you cuts.
wow a fantastic video, thank you so much. I have been doing fermented foods for 7 years, am a pro at that, such as kombucha, kefirs, sourkrouts, next frontier is booze.
Putting a high wattage dial voltage regulator in line your power will help control temp better. It will seek up on set temp instead of having intermittent hard boils. Dial it in after still first reaches cut off temp.
I find it doesn't include a way to attach it. Hafta hit a hardware store, or what I did was take the silicon tube he had there and wrapped it with a ton of teflon, and put the piece inside it. This gave a pressure fit. It does take forever tho, definitely don't put much in there.
Система с сухопарником - прошлый век! Прямоточная колона с наполнителем или тарельчатая колона, вот то ЧТО НАДО! // The dry steamer system is the last century! A straight-through column with filler or a plate column, that's what you need! (I can't guarantee that the translation is correct)
Like your energy and enthusiasm. Your journey will soon be full of memories and enjoyable experiences. I think, via my readings, you turned your thumper to a slop bucket by not allowing incoming steam to be introduced below the thumper's charge liquid level, resulting in increased processing time, less yield, an colored output. Stick a cooper tube in the inlet hole and that should help. Check out Gorges and others explanations on thumpers.
Thank you for the information! I purchased mine and I didn't even get the manual you did so under my wife's baleful glare, I assured her I would find what to do. I'm just using mine for distilling water for medical purposes but I'm sure there could be a time I might need to make some lawnmower fuel or.. bartering material. Have a great day!
I used a pressure cooker and a coil of copper tubing in a 5 gallon bucket when I experimented years ago. There was never enough ice! If I do it again, I will use an electric hotplate plugged into a temperature controller and run tap water continuously through the condenser.
Thank you for this video. I was about to purchase the vevor distillery but after watching this I've realised that's although this kit may be suitable for home making it's not for a total beginner! I think I need a lot more research before I attempt any distilling 😂
I seen a guy use a electric 1 gallon water distiller an make alcohol in 1hr he made bout 2pt the machine cost bout $60 so maybe u can start with that first, every gallon = 50ml foreshots
Decent overall content. I'll get you running that vevor like a pro in no time. If your running a grain batch like corn use a wash around 8% for a decent flavor. You mentioned an erratic drip rate of your distillate. It sounds like you still had some unfermented sugar left in your wash. This will cause surface tension that'll cause your distillate to caugh and sputter off the spout. Let your wash fully ferment next time or put a spoonful of butter it'll help with the foaming. I also like to use marble's in the pot. It'll keep your pot agitating The whole time you're running. Worst case scenario you have some solids still in your wash... The marbles will keep the wash moving and you won't have a scorch which will ruin all your distillate just like one burnt popcorn kernel ruins the rest. Stay thirsty friend, put some cheese on them taters 🍻
@@melissawillard6600 whatcha got in mind? I run a small channel when I've got the time to add content. I'm active in several shine group's on Facebook, they're all geared towards helping beginners. I've been at this hobby for almost twenty years. I don't have all the answers but I can usually find them in a matter of minutes
@@princessphoton7874 depending on your level in the craft. You can start with moonshine life for beginners, I'm more active in a few others. Rotgut is my favorite. It's full of ex cast members from master distiller, legal distillers and people just starting out
I cant quess, are you using it on inductive stove or with heating element stove. And what is time difference if you konw for different heating sources.
water cool the tower that will stop anything going up the tower untill the pot is at the correct temperature turn the water flow thru the condencer to proceed with distillation
really appreciate the clear instructions! do you have a video that shows the vevor set up from beginning to end? I’m a novice the booklet they sent is terrible (as you know)
This was the most informative video I have seen. Helped me understand so much more as just a fan of distilling. I'm purchasing this kit, and going to try to not make the same mistakes you did. You have taught me a lot and I am very grateful! Only thing I have an opinion on is the thumper. Inside your thumper, was there a pipe that would touch the bottom of the liquid from the input? Or was it just an input and an output hole? That would defeat the whole purpose of the thumper. I'm going to try to modify the existing thumper once I receieve it, or try to to create or by a different one. I think elimitaing it all together is a way to miss out on a whole lot of flavor.
There is, it's that piece of copper tube about 5 inches long, which he attached to his worm extension at the ouput. That extension is used when the thumper is not in use (or make one of your own). The tube goes in one of the holes on the inside of the thumper lid, the one to be used as an input, such that when the lid is closed it is about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the pot. The instruction booklet shows a picture, but does not instruct how to assemble it. The fitting on the bottom side of the hole is a bit tight, due to the machining of the thread I guess, so first try from the top, and then use a small round file to chamfer the hole rim at the bottom side. Then it will be possible to insert the tube from below.
Hi. Great video, thanks for that. However, I'm still puzzled as to how the thumper keg works. When the vapour comes in from the boiler keg, doesn't it just condense? How does the vapour get from the thumper keg to the condenser coil? Thanks.
good tutorial i actually didnt clean mine because the parts seemed pretty clean and i did get black flakes towards the tails of my second run always keep the heads because acteone problems in mesh are rare especially for a seasoned wine maker that uses proper airlocks and sanitation methods i would like to add that your thumper is not in the correct position= its supposed to sit on top and gather latent heat from the pot and sit between 160-180 on the output brass measured with a cheap meat thermometer, when used effectively it is correct size and is meant to be filled with spices and low wines for ginning of the spirit which is the process of adding essential oils in the secondary distaltion and a thumper keg counts as secondary distilation when operated properly it was invented as that and to save time in the process of ginning try again with the thumper keg right on top and add juniper berrys and star anise in the thumper keg also known as a hopper
I actually bought mine to distill water to make use of waste heat from furnace, so I can use the distilled water for various chemical processes. But after watching your video, I think I'll look into making vodka as well. I'll keep the methanol and acetone for other chemical processes. I like synergy.
So quick question say I wanted to use this for desalinating salt water into drinkable water guy. How simplified of a rig could I condense this down to?
Thank you, I enjoyed that, nice of you to share your mistakes, less for me to make, hopefully. I've ordered the small Vevor, 3 Gals, should arrive soon. I'll let you know how I get on.
studied the old timers, and some others talking lots of science. first run with this still went well. the second run - not so good, ended up with a load of weak tasting water, figured it was the cooler, placed it in a better position, stuck some ice packs on top of the coil for good measure. didn't use a thumper at all. next attempt - very nice. all going well now. the thing is ... how much of that science do we need ? you're own eyes, nose, and taste buds work well enough. it's all a learning curve. lets just say, i don't get any complaints.
Thank you for sharing. I want to distill our water for our whole house humidifier. I will need approx 15 gallons a week. Would this system be good just for distilling water? Would you recommend a thumper for my application. If so, shall I presume you would get the kit without a thumper and order my owne thumper to be 40% of the size of the boiler.
Great job. But I think you should add that Methanol (the poison that comes out first) turns to VAPOR out at around 160 Degrees F. So it would make more sense to first set your boil range around 160-165 Degrees, to get as much out as you can, without affecting the drinkable alcohol. You should get about 50 ml per gallon you're distilling. Then, when there doesn't seem to be any left, raise the temperature to 175 Degrees, to get the drinkable stuff. Also, when I started, I didn't have a thumper. And only had a 3 Gallon Still. I found, if I re-ran the Alcohol that was good, with the next wash batch, I could get smoother and higher purity alcohol with each run. My setup was 2-(5) gallon fermenting buckets and a still without a thumper. The first run would net me about 1-2 pints(I somewhat recall) of 80-120 proof, dump that into the still with the next batch, would get me about 1/4 gallon of high 140-160 proof, Dump again, and you're up to the 170-190 proof, and you have ABOUT half a gallon of it. Lots can change. But the important aspect is the smoothness. Coming out of the still warm, it tastes great up to 120 - 140 proof. I cannot stress enough, purity is so key. Impurities in your alcohol will taste bad, and will smell like rot if you leave it sitting. Also, according to whoever decided. In order for alcohol to be considered Vodka, it has to come out of the still at 190 proof. So you made moonshine, which is like a catch all of whatever doesn't fit into the classifications.
How do you call the black thing with a cord hooked up to a plug and connected to water pipes of the condenser? You put it in your ice box. I ordered an alcohol still on Temu but it didn’t come with the back electric thing. I wonder where I can get it from.
I used the threading tape and did a water run and there is still steam coming out of the connections. It didn’t do anything to help. Is there any other way I can fix this before I run my sugar wash through?
Make a paste of flour and water. Put that on your leaking connections the heat will harden the paste and seal it. When your finished you just chip it right off.
Awesome video! Just unpacked mine and looking forward to the test run! One question from someone who knows absolutely nothing about it… would putting the thumper on top of the lid of the boiler make it work better so it stays warmer?
What this exactly mean ? 750 ml vodka with 750 ml with water for every 1.3 gallons of boiler capacity . . If boiler have 5 gallons so I have to put 750 ml vodka and water times 3.5 , that’s almost 3 lt of vodka and water I got it right ?
Hello. If I try to use my vevor for the first time by diluting a bottle of whiskey in water, will I have to pay attention to the foreshots, heads hearts and tails same way? I mean, my wash is made of pre distilled Alcohol... Thank you
Hello Nash how are you It is Joseph. I am writing to you from Vancouver, Canada. I watched your interesting video and I am planning to buy some of the products you listed below. Nash, in the video, you are using a pump for condensation to occur. I tried to find the pump in the Amazon links you listed but could not find. Please can you send what kind of pump it is and where to purchase it? Thanks you Nash Joseph
I did a vinegar run but was told you dont run the condenser and might get some steam that was what you did on a distillation forum. Then I moved on to the sac run. I figure waht I did is good enough cause its too time consuming to do it again.
Hello friend. Very Nice video, tks for that. I bought an chinese still of 8 gallons. My question is, would It be enough to make a run of 5 gallons Mash a 1500watts electric stove or induction stove? Considering your experience with your home stove.
The thumper is just a water filter for the gasses leaving the main pot. It's simliar to conducting two stripping runs at once. The gasses flow through the water and get filtered. I'm willing to bet you had some "burping". Your wash shouldn't end up in your thumper for the most part.
Correct. Unless you are actually intentionally filling you thumper or doubler with mash/wash for added flavoring during the second distillation. I have a friend who is a commercial whiskey distiller who pumps some of his heated mash from his boiler into his doubler before he reaches his intended temperature in his boiler. But UG is right that your still shouldn't be puking into your thumper. That is always a bad thing.
The very low position of the thumper lmay have contributed to it not working properly. All info I have seen, is that it is close to level to the top of the main pot.
Pipe Dope would be the better alternative to PTFE Tape for Sealing connections. PTFE Plumbers Tape is meant to be a Thread Lubricant only, to allow for the easy threading, and disassembly of Joints. Pipe Dope also known as Pipe Joint Compound is meant to be a Thread lubricant and also a Thread Sealant to make a joint leak proof to fluids, vapors and gases.
I used the threading tape and there is still huge vapor leaked coming out when I ran water through the still. Would Pipe dope eliminate this issue? I don’t want to run my sugar wash through yet until I know there’s no vapor leaks
@@DrSprite it should completely seal your pipe threads. If you look at a plumbing supply store you should be able to find pipe dope/joint compound that is made from a mixture of natural sources as well such as:. rosin, kaolin clay, vegetable oil and ethanol, as well. Don't use plumbers putty I have seen some guys cake that onto their threaded fittings. Putty is not meant to seal threaded fittings either. Stay patient and keep at it. You will get it dialed in.
I work in the natural gas industry and pipe thread does seal NPT threads if used properly. The video showed an overlap of tape on the pipe which should be avoided. You don't want any Teflon thread tape extending over the hole at the end of the pipe, especially where you would be drinking the contents running through. Just wrap from one of the first threads down a couple wraps clockwise if the end of the fitting is aimed toward you. If you wrap the other direction, it can pull off and loosen when tightening the fitting.
Why are so many jars colored? Shouldnt it be clear? Was the thumper loading up with fluid and the contence pushing up into the worm? How did you fix this?
250 ml for the foreshots. How much more after that for the heads? I've heard throw away the first 250 ml, then you are good to go. Sorry, I'm new and a little confused.
I am about to buy one of these. I plan to use it to distill water mainly. I may make some form of alchol to make medicines. Vodka probably would be best.
Thread sealant tape isn't used on straight threads like those in this unit. These joints either require a gasket (the connections to the corrugated stainless hoses) or pull a flare on the tubing to seal on the cone-shaped end of the brass fitting, making a metal to metal seal. Sealant tape is used on tapered pipe threads (i.e. NPT), where a sealant is absolutely necessary. If you use thread sealant tape on straight threads, you are just making it easier to tighten up the joint by reducing friction.
If that were my still the first thing I would do is get rid of the brass fittings because brass often contains lead. It is not safe for use in distillation.
Foreshots do NOT contain methanol. That’s an old wives tale. Methanol comes over WITH the ethanol, it can’t be separated by distillation - heck, it can’t even be separated by gas chromatography as I discovered when I brought some of my home-brew wine into my chem lab. I ran it through a quarter million dollar GC/MS in my O-chem lab. The gas chromatography part of the apparatus uses heat and differentially attractive coatings to separate different compounds MUCH better than straight distillation. The MS (mass spectrometer) part of the apparatus gives readings which an experienced operator can use to determine the compounds by molar mass. The GC was giving a little bump before the large curve that was ethanol which became before the larger bump that was water (yes, the GC is able to totally separate water and ethanol). Concerned the first bump was methanol, i ran several other samples adding more and more methanol to the wine before testing it. No matter how much I added, that first bump didn’t get any better, though the second bump did. I can guarantee you that if gas chromatography can not separate those two alcohols, no WAY it’s coming out in they fore shots - that’d be fusil oils. Also - aside from all that SUGAR SHINE PRODUCES ZERO METHANOL - methanol is a product of the fermentation of PECTIN - of which sugar has NONE. The only time MeOH is produced in fermentation, is when one is fermenting pectin rich fruits. The methanol scare came about during prohibition when scumbag black market booze suppliers during prohibition added unregulated and cheap methanol to their moonshine to stretch it. Believe it or not, the remedy for methanol poisoning is IV ethanol (dilute of course) so of they didn’t get too greedy - people didn’t get sick or blind (at least not after one or two times drinking the tainted spirit) as long as there was mostly ethanol in the shine.
Methanol (if in the wash or mash) is highest in the fore-shots and heads, but that’s because that’s also the highest concentration of ethanol. Methanol has a lower BP than ethanol BUT it comes over as an azeotrope WITH the ethanol. There is no separating methanol from ethanol using a standard still.
yes you can. You can always clean up your spirit by cutting it to no more than about 40% ABV with spring water and running it through the still again. However, thumpers can also be used to add flavor which you won't obtain by running thing more than once. Actually quite the contrary. You will get less and less flavor generally. ( column infused botanical flavors into gins are probably an exception to that statement though )
It's true the thumper is small. And I always place it on top of the big pan and never had a problem. The condenser is as well small I have to put a big pan for these job . As well the seals with the kit aren't enough they are bad quality.
BEWARE: My thermometer was NOT calibrated! When I dropped it into boiling water, it only read 200 degrees instead of 212...
Dear sir thanks for this educational video! My question to you is whats the size of the copper pipes they used? Is there any golden ratio when it comes to pipe size?
What altitude do you live at? At 6000ft that'd be correct.
You can't produce enough methonol in 5 gallons to hurt anyone
so is it good for making essential oil for example using rosemary plants?
Thanks for this post, I had the exact same result. It sounds like he did as well since his last several jars were just water and I assume his thermometer was not at 212° or he would have stopped
I love watching "failure" videos...They show that we are all human and that mistakes people made can be avoided when I give it a try. You may be disappointed, but you taught a lot of people a lot of good information.
You can use the heads for paint thinner or to use to clean up your shop tools.
Unless you're at sea-level, you need to know what elevation you're distilling at and adjust for atmospheric pressure's effect on vapor pressure. The ethanol fraction run that occurs at 78.3°C/172.9°F at sea-level happens at 72.4°C/162.3°F @ 2443-meters/8,000-feet of elevation above sea level; a difference of over 10-degrees Fahrenheit. If you're at an elevation of 6,000-feet your thermometer should read 200°F in boiling water, since the lower atmospheric pressure at that elevation lowers the boiling point of pure water by 12°F.
Just throw out the thermometer, better off without it on a pot still.
love the video. helped me on some points.
i have the same setup.
do as vevor picture shows: your thumper needs to be above your boiler (in height) and so should your condenser.
furthermore. instead of ice. let the bucket overflow with cold water. if else the water heats up in no time.
thank you for this video, it was informative, and helpful. you kept my attention to the end. Cleaning it that thoroughly would never have occurred to me. thumbs up.
Thank you for taking the time to share your journey. I wish you a fruitions future !!! ✌️🙏🎶
KernsJW and jaw bone are correct. Without using the copper tube (that you have as a the drip tube on end of condenser) in the thumper its acting as a slobber box and it's just filling it up and pushing the contents out through condenser. That's why the drip was irregular and not clear. By using the short copper tube inside the thumper, almost reaching the bottom, the steam comes up through the liquid heating it quicker and allowing it to redistill into steam before it pukes into condenser. Bearded and Bored had a video on this. Vevor doesn't do a good job on that part of setup. Good still though.
The thumper that came with that kit is supposed to sit on top of the boiler to be indirectly heated.
If you're trying to make the cleanest vodka possible (especially with a sugar mash and something like turbo yeast) you need a column still, not a pot still. With turbo yeast your mash should have come out at the 12 to 14% mark on the hydrometer. This kind of still is designed for something like whiskey where the impurities are part of the flavor.
Love the cleaning process and that chart of temps that all the fractions become vapour. Thats as far as I got before realizing you are a perfectionist. Love it so far and thanks so much. Ok , Back to your movie.
No matter what spirit I’m making, if I’m using my 5 gallon, I always get 1 gallon around 85-90% ABV. I’ve been distilling now for four years and I’m still learning the cuts. I use the same thumper that you use and I love it. I also add a little bit of my mash in it.
Good first attempt. At least you learned from your mistakes. Keep trying, keep learning, and remember to keep it simple. Try without the thumper a while and get used to making good cuts. And remember you can always throw it all back in, cut it down to below 40% and try again. Dont throw anything (except foreshots) away until you are satisfied with you cuts.
wow a fantastic video, thank you so much. I have been doing fermented foods for 7 years, am a pro at that, such as kombucha, kefirs, sourkrouts, next frontier is booze.
Putting a high wattage dial voltage regulator in line your power will help control temp better. It will seek up on set temp instead of having intermittent hard boils. Dial it in after still first reaches cut off temp.
This video was Extremely helpful, thank you for taking your time to explain the process
The little copper tube you have connected to your worm end is supposed to go inside of the thumper intake
can you explain this further?
What is the functionality of the thumper?
Why is usted the thumper? Thanks!
@@jofmv5116 I figured it out, the thumper is used to "infuse flavor" into the end product. It also sort of acts like a secondary distillation.
I find it doesn't include a way to attach it. Hafta hit a hardware store, or what I did was take the silicon tube he had there and wrapped it with a ton of teflon, and put the piece inside it. This gave a pressure fit. It does take forever tho, definitely don't put much in there.
I watched over 100 videos in this subject recently, because I want to do my own still. This is the best video, period.
Система с сухопарником - прошлый век! Прямоточная колона с наполнителем или тарельчатая колона, вот то ЧТО НАДО! // The dry steamer system is the last century! A straight-through column with filler or a plate column, that's what you need! (I can't guarantee that the translation is correct)
Like your energy and enthusiasm. Your journey will soon be full of memories and enjoyable experiences. I think, via my readings, you turned your thumper to a slop bucket by not allowing incoming steam to be introduced below the thumper's charge liquid level, resulting in increased processing time, less yield, an colored output. Stick a cooper tube in the inlet hole and that should help. Check out Gorges and others explanations on thumpers.
Thank you for the information! I purchased mine and I didn't even get the manual you did so under my wife's baleful glare, I assured her I would find what to do. I'm just using mine for distilling water for medical purposes but I'm sure there could be a time I might need to make some lawnmower fuel or.. bartering material. Have a great day!
I used a pressure cooker and a coil of copper tubing in a 5 gallon bucket when I experimented years ago.
There was never enough ice!
If I do it again, I will use an electric hotplate plugged into a temperature controller and run tap water continuously through the condenser.
Thank you for this video. I was about to purchase the vevor distillery but after watching this I've realised that's although this kit may be suitable for home making it's not for a total beginner! I think I need a lot more research before I attempt any distilling 😂
I seen a guy use a electric 1 gallon water distiller an make alcohol in 1hr he made bout 2pt the machine cost bout $60 so maybe u can start with that first, every gallon = 50ml foreshots
Thanks for your video, you clears up a lot for me. I will be watching for more of your videos. Thanks again
Decent overall content.
I'll get you running that vevor like a pro in no time.
If your running a grain batch like corn use a wash around 8% for a decent flavor.
You mentioned an erratic drip rate of your distillate.
It sounds like you still had some unfermented sugar left in your wash.
This will cause surface tension that'll cause your distillate to caugh and sputter off the spout.
Let your wash fully ferment next time or put a spoonful of butter it'll help with the foaming.
I also like to use marble's in the pot.
It'll keep your pot agitating The whole time you're running.
Worst case scenario you have some solids still in your wash...
The marbles will keep the wash moving and you won't have a scorch which will ruin all your distillate just like one burnt popcorn kernel ruins the rest.
Stay thirsty friend, put some cheese on them taters 🍻
Whiskey do you help newbies?
@@melissawillard6600 whatcha got in mind?
I run a small channel when I've got the time to add content.
I'm active in several shine group's on Facebook, they're all geared towards helping beginners.
I've been at this hobby for almost twenty years.
I don't have all the answers but I can usually find them in a matter of minutes
Hey whiskey bent . What Facebook groups?
@@princessphoton7874 depending on your level in the craft.
You can start with moonshine life for beginners, I'm more active in a few others.
Rotgut is my favorite.
It's full of ex cast members from master distiller, legal distillers and people just starting out
I'm a homebrewer and considering getting one of these to start making "distilled water".
Great video mate. Really valuable information and I love how you were upfront and honest about what you learnt. Thanks
I cant quess, are you using it on inductive stove or with heating element stove. And what is time difference if you konw for different heating sources.
water cool the tower that will stop anything going up the tower untill the pot is at the correct temperature turn the water flow thru the condencer to proceed with distillation
really appreciate the clear instructions! do you have a video that shows the vevor set up from beginning to end? I’m a novice the booklet they sent is terrible (as you know)
Thanks for the video. There is one bad info. Aceton comes first, then comes metanol. Right?
This was the most informative video I have seen. Helped me understand so much more as just a fan of distilling. I'm purchasing this kit, and going to try to not make the same mistakes you did. You have taught me a lot and I am very grateful! Only thing I have an opinion on is the thumper. Inside your thumper, was there a pipe that would touch the bottom of the liquid from the input? Or was it just an input and an output hole? That would defeat the whole purpose of the thumper. I'm going to try to modify the existing thumper once I receieve it, or try to to create or by a different one. I think elimitaing it all together is a way to miss out on a whole lot of flavor.
There is, it's that piece of copper tube about 5 inches long, which he attached to his worm extension at the ouput. That extension is used when the thumper is not in use (or make one of your own). The tube goes in one of the holes on the inside of the thumper lid, the one to be used as an input, such that when the lid is closed it is about 1/2 inch from the bottom of the pot. The instruction booklet shows a picture, but does not instruct how to assemble it. The fitting on the bottom side of the hole is a bit tight, due to the machining of the thread I guess, so first try from the top, and then use a small round file to chamfer the hole rim at the bottom side. Then it will be possible to insert the tube from below.
Hi. Great video, thanks for that. However, I'm still puzzled as to how the thumper keg works. When the vapour comes in from the boiler keg, doesn't it just condense? How does the vapour get from the thumper keg to the condenser coil? Thanks.
good tutorial i actually didnt clean mine because the parts seemed pretty clean and i did get black flakes towards the tails of my second run
always keep the heads because acteone problems in mesh are rare especially for a seasoned wine maker that uses proper airlocks and sanitation methods
i would like to add that your thumper is not in the correct position= its supposed to sit on top and gather latent heat from the pot and sit between 160-180 on the output brass measured with a cheap meat thermometer, when used effectively it is correct size and is meant to be filled with spices and low wines for ginning of the spirit which is the process of adding essential oils in the secondary distaltion and a thumper keg counts as secondary distilation when operated properly it was invented as that and to save time in the process of ginning
try again with the thumper keg right on top and add juniper berrys and star anise in the thumper keg also known as a hopper
I actually bought mine to distill water to make use of waste heat from furnace, so I can use the distilled water for various chemical processes. But after watching your video, I think I'll look into making vodka as well. I'll keep the methanol and acetone for other chemical processes. I like synergy.
So quick question say I wanted to use this for desalinating salt water into drinkable water guy. How simplified of a rig could I condense this down to?
I think it says put that silicone around the barrel of the thumper and not the lid. And it's really to put on.
Thanks!
Thank you, I enjoyed that, nice of you to share your mistakes, less for me to make, hopefully. I've ordered the small Vevor, 3 Gals, should arrive soon. I'll let you know how I get on.
Can it be used for essential oil distillation
When doing the cleaning run do not have water in condenser. Steam blowing all the way through.👍
studied the old timers, and some others talking lots of science. first run with this still went well. the second run - not so good, ended up with a load of weak tasting water, figured it was the cooler, placed it in a better position, stuck some ice packs on top of the coil for good measure. didn't use a thumper at all. next attempt - very nice. all going well now. the thing is ... how much of that science do we need ? you're own eyes, nose, and taste buds work well enough. it's all a learning curve. lets just say, i don't get any complaints.
What about using a refractometer to measure ABV?
Thank you for sharing. I want to distill our water for our whole house humidifier. I will need approx 15 gallons a week. Would this system be good just for distilling water? Would you recommend a thumper for my application. If so, shall I presume you would get the kit without a thumper and order my owne thumper to be 40% of the size of the boiler.
Can you do an unboxing and initial setup video?
You didn't come out with nothing, you learned a ton from this first run, and that is the most important part.
I’m pretty sure your boiler was just puking into your doubler starting on jar 4, and the doubler was pushing wash into the condenser.
The science is where it’s at. Great explanation and video. Crappy product but seems to do the job. Thank you
Great job. But I think you should add that Methanol (the poison that comes out first) turns to VAPOR out at around 160 Degrees F. So it would make more sense to first set your boil range around 160-165 Degrees, to get as much out as you can, without affecting the drinkable alcohol. You should get about 50 ml per gallon you're distilling.
Then, when there doesn't seem to be any left, raise the temperature to 175 Degrees, to get the drinkable stuff.
Also, when I started, I didn't have a thumper. And only had a 3 Gallon Still. I found, if I re-ran the Alcohol that was good, with the next wash batch, I could get smoother and higher purity alcohol with each run.
My setup was 2-(5) gallon fermenting buckets and a still without a thumper. The first run would net me about 1-2 pints(I somewhat recall) of 80-120 proof, dump that into the still with the next batch, would get me about 1/4 gallon of high 140-160 proof, Dump again, and you're up to the 170-190 proof, and you have ABOUT half a gallon of it. Lots can change. But the important aspect is the smoothness. Coming out of the still warm, it tastes great up to 120 - 140 proof. I cannot stress enough, purity is so key. Impurities in your alcohol will taste bad, and will smell like rot if you leave it sitting.
Also, according to whoever decided. In order for alcohol to be considered Vodka, it has to come out of the still at 190 proof. So you made moonshine, which is like a catch all of whatever doesn't fit into the classifications.
Could you use the HEADS for medical reasons like cleaning wounds and such??
How do you call the black thing with a cord hooked up to a plug and connected to water pipes of the condenser? You put it in your ice box. I ordered an alcohol still on Temu but it didn’t come with the back electric thing. I wonder where I can get it from.
I used the threading tape and did a water run and there is still steam coming out of the connections. It didn’t do anything to help. Is there any other way I can fix this before I run my sugar wash through?
Make a paste of flour and water. Put that on your leaking connections the heat will harden the paste and seal it. When your finished you just chip it right off.
Awesome video! Just unpacked mine and looking forward to the test run! One question from someone who knows absolutely nothing about it… would putting the thumper on top of the lid of the boiler make it work better so it stays warmer?
Thanks for this video! Excellent explanations, unusual clarity for a complex topic.
Thank you very much I'm ordering my still today and your info help me out tremendously thank you very much
I am gearing up for attempt #1 glad I found this video. Like point on down tube in thumper
this has been so helpful to me. I have the exact same still I've watched this video probably 100 times:)
What this exactly mean ? 750 ml vodka with 750 ml with water for every 1.3 gallons of boiler capacity . . If boiler have 5 gallons so I have to put 750 ml vodka and water times 3.5 , that’s almost 3 lt of vodka and water I got it right ?
When will be your next batch?! Already year have passed. 😁
Hello. If I try to use my vevor for the first time by diluting a bottle of whiskey in water, will I have to pay attention to the foreshots, heads hearts and tails same way? I mean, my wash is made of pre distilled Alcohol... Thank you
Learnt more from this then someone breezing through making no mistakes.
Hello Nash how are you
It is Joseph. I am writing to you from Vancouver, Canada. I watched your interesting video and I am planning to buy some of the products you listed below.
Nash, in the video, you are using a pump for condensation to occur. I tried to find the pump in the Amazon links you listed but could not find. Please can you send what kind of pump it is and where to purchase it?
Thanks you Nash
Joseph
Man I have the same .but when I start it- the "pot" start dancing on an electric stove...what can be a solution?(
Forshots are rather acetone and aldehydes. Methanol cannot be separated from ethanol using distiller. Sugar wash contains only traces of methanol.
Very informative would love to see a follow up video where you distill again but successfully
I did a vinegar run but was told you dont run the condenser and might get some steam that was what you did on a distillation forum. Then I moved on to the sac run. I figure waht I did is good enough cause its too time consuming to do it again.
What about using a CIP to clean like I do for my beer making equipment?
Now that you have had this for a year, what are your thoughts on it?
What are you making if you do it between 95 and 113 degrees
Wait did only order half of what I need? I didn’t get a pump or 3rd bowl. Can I still use it
Hello friend. Very Nice video, tks for that. I bought an chinese still of 8 gallons. My question is, would It be enough to make a run of 5 gallons Mash a 1500watts electric stove or induction stove? Considering your experience with your home stove.
The thumper is just a water filter for the gasses leaving the main pot. It's simliar to conducting two stripping runs at once. The gasses flow through the water and get filtered. I'm willing to bet you had some "burping". Your wash shouldn't end up in your thumper for the most part.
Correct. Unless you are actually intentionally filling you thumper or doubler with mash/wash for added flavoring during the second distillation. I have a friend who is a commercial whiskey distiller who pumps some of his heated mash from his boiler into his doubler before he reaches his intended temperature in his boiler. But UG is right that your still shouldn't be puking into your thumper. That is always a bad thing.
The very low position of the thumper lmay have contributed to it not working properly. All info I have seen, is that it is close to level to the top of the main pot.
Don’t throw heads away they’re excellent for cleaning stuff, not bad for gun cleaning and removing guppy gluey residues.
Pipe Dope would be the better alternative to PTFE Tape for Sealing connections. PTFE Plumbers Tape is meant to be a Thread Lubricant only, to allow for the easy threading, and disassembly of Joints. Pipe Dope also known as Pipe Joint Compound is meant to be a Thread lubricant and also a Thread Sealant to make a joint leak proof to fluids, vapors and gases.
I used the threading tape and there is still huge vapor leaked coming out when I ran water through the still. Would Pipe dope eliminate this issue? I don’t want to run my sugar wash through yet until I know there’s no vapor leaks
@@DrSprite it should completely seal your pipe threads. If you look at a plumbing supply store you should be able to find pipe dope/joint compound that is made from a mixture of natural sources as well such as:. rosin, kaolin clay, vegetable oil and ethanol, as well. Don't use plumbers putty I have seen some guys cake that onto their threaded fittings. Putty is not meant to seal threaded fittings either. Stay patient and keep at it. You will get it dialed in.
I work in the natural gas industry and pipe thread does seal NPT threads if used properly. The video showed an overlap of tape on the pipe which should be avoided. You don't want any Teflon thread tape extending over the hole at the end of the pipe, especially where you would be drinking the contents running through. Just wrap from one of the first threads down a couple wraps clockwise if the end of the fitting is aimed toward you. If you wrap the other direction, it can pull off and loosen when tightening the fitting.
When I distill alcohol at home dose it have strong smell may the niberhood smell it ?
Why are so many jars colored? Shouldnt it be clear? Was the thumper loading up with fluid and the contence pushing up into the worm? How did you fix this?
the thumper was charged with candy cane syrup.
Very informative and well produced video! :)
250 ml for the foreshots. How much more after that for the heads? I've heard throw away the first 250 ml, then you are good to go. Sorry, I'm new and a little confused.
I am about to buy one of these. I plan to use it to distill water mainly. I may make some form of alchol to make medicines. Vodka probably would be best.
I purchased one for that as well but am having trouble figuring out and understanding what to do. If you've figured that out pls help me 😂
I hope you use a finish Abv hydrometer and not a process one.
Do you have to have a thumper?
Thread sealant tape isn't used on straight threads like those in this unit. These joints either require a gasket (the connections to the corrugated stainless hoses) or pull a flare on the tubing to seal on the cone-shaped end of the brass fitting, making a metal to metal seal. Sealant tape is used on tapered pipe threads (i.e. NPT), where a sealant is absolutely necessary. If you use thread sealant tape on straight threads, you are just making it easier to tighten up the joint by reducing friction.
What happens if I'm just seeing vapor coming out
Your worm is too cold
Does this work for large amounts of distilled water?
Technically yes but a basic coffee maker would make I way faster and less complicated
Are those half gallon mason jars?
If that were my still the first thing I would do is get rid of the brass fittings because brass often contains lead. It is not safe for use in distillation.
Nice presentation and pleasant communication you dont to try with a bigger thumper?🤝
Thanks for the vid and all the best from England
I am gonna get one as I am interested in this. Are you happy with it
Foreshots do NOT contain methanol. That’s an old wives tale. Methanol comes over WITH the ethanol, it can’t be separated by distillation - heck, it can’t even be separated by gas chromatography as I discovered when I brought some of my home-brew wine into my chem lab. I ran it through a quarter million dollar GC/MS in my O-chem lab. The gas chromatography part of the apparatus uses heat and differentially attractive coatings to separate different compounds MUCH better than straight distillation. The MS (mass spectrometer) part of the apparatus gives readings which an experienced operator can use to determine the compounds by molar mass. The GC was giving a little bump before the large curve that was ethanol which became before the larger bump that was water (yes, the GC is able to totally separate water and ethanol). Concerned the first bump was methanol, i ran several other samples adding more and more methanol to the wine before testing it. No matter how much I added, that first bump didn’t get any better, though the second bump did. I can guarantee you that if gas chromatography can not separate those two alcohols, no WAY it’s coming out in they fore shots - that’d be fusil oils.
Also - aside from all that SUGAR SHINE PRODUCES ZERO METHANOL - methanol is a product of the fermentation of PECTIN - of which sugar has NONE. The only time MeOH is produced in fermentation, is when one is fermenting pectin rich fruits.
The methanol scare came about during prohibition when scumbag black market booze suppliers during prohibition added unregulated and cheap methanol to their moonshine to stretch it. Believe it or not, the remedy for methanol poisoning is IV ethanol (dilute of course) so of they didn’t get too greedy - people didn’t get sick or blind (at least not after one or two times drinking the tainted spirit) as long as there was mostly ethanol in the shine.
Methanol (if in the wash or mash) is highest in the fore-shots and heads, but that’s because that’s also the highest concentration of ethanol. Methanol has a lower BP than ethanol BUT it comes over as an azeotrope WITH the ethanol. There is no separating methanol from ethanol using a standard still.
Liked ... The journey is a process . Try making one from scratch.. Not so fun but learned a lot..Had a lot of fun and a hole lot better
Splendid video, thank you!
Will this work to make denatured alcohol?
Very well explained the beauty of making alcohol 🍸
This was quite helpful! Thank you
My kit didn’t come with a Thumper. Can I still make moonshine or do I need to purchase or master one?
yes you can. You can always clean up your spirit by cutting it to no more than about 40% ABV with spring water and running it through the still again. However, thumpers can also be used to add flavor which you won't obtain by running thing more than once. Actually quite the contrary. You will get less and less flavor generally. ( column infused botanical flavors into gins are probably an exception to that statement though )
It's true the thumper is small. And I always place it on top of the big pan and never had a problem. The condenser is as well small I have to put a big pan for these job .
As well the seals with the kit aren't enough they are bad quality.
What is abv?
Alcohol by volume
So when are you going to do your next run? Put what you learned to good use 🤷♂️
love my vevor still had not one issue
Why is it orange?