My First Spirit Run | What Is Reflux
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 11 ก.ค. 2024
- EXCITING! Finally, I am ready to do a reflux spirit run. I'm pumped to be at this point, but also nervous as this is pretty new to me. Wish me luck here goes my first reflux spirit run!
Once I get into a groove, and I have some time I will have a talk about what a reflux still is and why you would use one. Its not an in depth tutorial, but should help out those new to the craft and looking for a starting point.
Don’t forget to check the comments, that’s where the real magic happens!
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Jessie, not sure if you've figured it out, but you CAN actually calculate your reflux rate without seeing the coil (and seeing the coil wouldn't help anyway). In a perfect world you just calculate what the full amount of product your boiler should be producing at the power setting you are using. The ratio of calculated production : take off rate would give your reflux rate. In the real world you have power lost to the boiler and column sides as well. So just once you will need to do a run measuring power input at full takeoff to calculate your losses. Do it on a pot run, it'll be easier. You'll then know how much heat you lose to your boiler (make it easy and just calculate it in watts). It's probably a couple hundred watts lost to the boiler and column. You will need to recalculate it with changes like upgrading your insulation or adding a column extension.
The book The Complete Distiller covers all this, and the math and science is a bit intimidating, but once you really wrap your head around it you can do it on the fly with just referencing a value or two here and there. And you'll have a deep appreciation for what all is going on inside that column. I know some people scoff at the math and science of distilling, but you've got plenty of time bleeding off fores amd whatnot to crank out a few calculations.
Maybe I can do a bad job explaining it... based on the latent heat of vaporization of ethanol and water (204 and 540 calories/ gram, respectively), 1,000 watts can produce either 89 ml of pure ethanol / minute, 30 ml of pure water / minute, OR a volume of a mixture predicted by it's percentage. EG 1kw should produce 83.1 ml of 90% ethanol per minute. (This isn't exact because it doesnt account for the small amount of shrinkage that happens when they are mixed). EG: assume you calculate your boiler loses 200 watts, you are pumping in 1200w to the boiler, and you have 90% coming out of your condenser at 8.31 ml per minute, then you can calculate your reflux:product ratio is 9:1
+MrJhchrist Jesus where is the double thumbs up button??
That makes anbut load of sense.
I have been "getting that book" for a year now hahaha. I need to sort my self out and do it!
As a total noob, I think your description of what a reflux still is was really helpful. I can also tell that you put a lot of work into properly speaking, keep up the good work!
Hey mate thanks for opening up a whole new world for me with your videos. I'm a 25 year old west Aussie bloke who naturally wanted to find out more about my favourite drink and how it was made. I've been watching a few of your videos on your channel learning that there is a complete science behind the alcohol I drink and this video especially has balanced the technical science for advanced distillers and the ease of information for beginners. I will definitely be looking deeper into this craft and see how I can become apart of it.
Thats awesome man. It definitely changed my whole enjoyment of distilled products!
Love the antique porcelain fuse box in the intro background. I see why Mrs Still It insisted on a fire extinguisher. Keep up the good work.
HAHA, yeah its pretty hard case aye?
I've learned so much watching your vedios! I've built my own copy of your CCVM still. I just finished my vinegar run and just waiting for my FFV to finish so I can do my sacrificial run! Love the channel keep the recipes coming! I've got a 100L of birdwatchers fermenting and think I'll try UJSSM next. Thanks for the content
Thank you for the helpful hits . Love the channel Jessie
Cheers mate
Love the channel man, could you maybe do a video just about how reflux works and your coil design?
Yeah great vid. Answered a few of my questions about it.
Love it Bro, learning more with every vid. Cheers
Cheers mate
It’s a window between temp. Vapor hits coil condenses lower boil point first thus allowing only lower temp vapor to pass. Set coil temp to your cut temp.
On the splitting hoses . Try running beaded SS washing machine hoses.
what an awsome run I bet your really happy.im happy for you too, im doing the liebig route with duel slant plates I went for the 3inch pipe just for convenience of take off rate I still need to do my cleaning runs I done a water test to check for leaks an sorted 2 gaps out going to do another water run tonight and a possible vinegar on sunday have a bbq tomorrow so dont want to be too exposed lol I have a tpw(birdwatchers) fermentig at the moment for the sac run its close..ish and then il sort another one out for the 1st proper drinkable run lol.im so excited I feel like I felt when I was a kid at christmas ive not felt like this for a long time hehe I love it.anyways congratulations and il keep watching your uploads your really informative especially considering your a new guy too, I guess the advanced guys are to scared to get infront that cam
+iwantit162 that's awesome man. Your so close now!!!! I think I need to get my boka up and running too. Seems sad it's just sitting there.
Keep up the good work dude, even the sac run was exciting for me!
Enjoy! Let us know when you are in business ;)
@iwantit162 -
Yep - Illegal in every state in the US under federal law. Which is why most are camera shy...
thanks for being such a legend, my dude... taking time to share your experience is most honourable. im not drunk, your drunk! :D
Good job bud. I have a E85 reflux still i have run 4 or 5 times. And the more i run it the more i really like this still it produces a very good whiskey Etc
ah cool man!
Awesome..
Another kiwi living in Melbourne now (Napier)
Copying every step, very exciting
My gf’s step dad bought a still for $150 ebay still and is trying to make himself something nice, so far he’s twice tipped it down the sink
I’ve made my own still like yours for less than $100 and seems like a monster in comparison..
Legend
Where did you find the large diameter copper pipe cheaply? Even Reece plumbing large dia pipe costs waaay more than $100
Love this channel
Thanks man. Sorry for the slow ass reply. Been a crazy week dude haha
Thanks Mate you have explained the process the best
Hands down from my experience home distilling the first thing i started with was a €40 6 quart pot still i bought off of ebay and had shipped to my home in stuttgart Germany, it came with a copper condenser and a bunch of plastic file clamps to hold the lid down which in my opinion was ok for just starting out then my second still was a 8 gallon Mile Hi dual reflux still with electric 120v heating and controller for €800 on sale and shipping was another €100 to Germany and that was by far the easiest nicest still ive ever bought and now use as a backup or a thumper depending on what i'm distilling. What i currently have is a 16 gallon 3 inch pro torpedo with a sight glass Mile Hi still with the same as the 8 gallon with the 120v heating element and controller. I would say the production time is a lot better and the sight glass is pretty cool to look at in full reflux and definitely helps a lot in figuring out where you need to balance the water intake but if you're really just starting out go check out the 8 gallon pro from mile hi and usually around christmas they have sales to where they knock off around half the price so i mean paying €800 for such high quality and such a great product is actually pretty cheap considering how much stills run for now a days ( no pun intended) but i've been more than happy with mile high and they are super nice and have really great customer support. just google mile hi stills and you can literally find anything you want for distilling on the site for cheap. Im not a paid spokesperson for them i'm just a really happy customer and they made everything super easy which was nice considering i live half way around the world from colorado. If you do buy a still from them theres a 5 pound optional safety blow off valve they have for like 25 bucks i wouldn't really buy again since you have to really pack your still wrong or do something stupid for the pressure to build up to dangerous amounts and if something like that happens then you probably should find a new hobby because you're not doing something right. Im sorry i don't mean to sound harsh but if you have no idea what your doing you should either do some research or start off on a smaller still so you can gain the experience and then work your way up. Anyways thats just what i wanted to throw in there if you are thinking about buying a still, Mile high is the best in my opinion and they always send a pound of copper mesh rascing rings and shitty turbo yeast in when you purchase a still. Again, Turbo Yeast sucks don't use it and either use distillers yeast or red star bakers yeast which works just the same as distillers just cheaper. Happy distilling and if you have any questions about distilling feel free to message me.
Nice dude!
What are you running through it normally ?
Good video as always. Vapor management stills were always too finicky for me and too micro-managed. If home distilling were legal here, I'd be a pot still guy. It may take more runs, but you'll get there eventually.
Fair enough dude.
Must admit I am rather looking forward to doing a pot spirit run! . .. .. there may be something in motion on that ;)
Heya. Great channel. Thanks for doing these. Hey. Would you consider doing another video just like this one but now with the benefit of considerably more experience. A lot of people - myself included, use your videos as reference guides. It would be nice to have one that's a definitive HOW TO guide.
Yes
Hey Jesse, I'm aware this video has been out for a while but if you're looking for an idea on transfering low wines still you could think about making a copper racking cane. Essentially just a pipe with a 180° bend at the top and another pipe off the other side. You do have to provide the inital suction force to start the flow but after that gravity does the work so long as your container is above your boiler. Hope this helps.
Thanks, dude! Im still pouring it haha.
I actually have a stainless racking cane. But Its not long enough to use without a hose.
Great series. Do you recall at what abv you stopped collecting on this spirit run?? Thanks it would help a lot
I’m watching these because I’m thinking about making a reflux still, great content and information. P.S. it’s going to be on the large size 4” tower with a 2” condenser.
Jesy this vid was even better the second time👍 my question is that as the fore shots come off at a lower temp should you not collect them first then when the temp has risen to the ethanol "zone" run it in reflux mode? The way you done it here will have the methanol condensing then running back through the ethanol won't it?
"This is great, I will subscribe right now!"
*Checks button*
"Oh, cool, already subscribed. Good job, past me!"
Haha, classy dude that past you!
I like the blanket idea bro , only in NZ.
Transfer my wash from fermenter with a fish tank water pump works great kept off the bottom of fermenter
Sweet vid bro, lots of info in this one.
Thanks dude :)
Yeah . . . . a little on the long side me thinks haha
Some of your line arm has lead welds you should try and get rid of sections with lead on them and have pure copper sections.
Hows it man,
Thanks for the concern. And I totally agree that lead solder/braze has no place in a still!
So I actually did a video on this. There were 2 joints that were pre-soldered, everything else I did my self (badly hahaha). The ones I did are obviously lead-free. The other two I was not certain about. So I tested them, came up clean ;)
Your new look is great. Bet your wife enjoys it.
Total newby here. What is the copper mesh for?
Enjoying your channel so far. Just getting started at 63. Made a great deal of beer back in the 80s and always wanted to distill.
One question for now: I've watched numerous videos on distilling, and the ones I've watched always have the system sealed and the only outlet is through the final condenser. I noticed you have open top above your reflux column where you kept adjusting depth of coil. Do you think you lose any vapors or product out of the top through your reflux coils? Just curious. Can't wait to start distilling.
Thanks.
I don’t bother putting the column back in to total reflux after collecting fores. I do however collect heads at a slow rate about 2-3 drops per second.
Man its been so long! I need to rip into some more reflux!
@@StillIt An other cut run/video could be usefull for newbs, i've already watched your v=4Lc7IhcUVyA 36min long video on moonshine cuts and it was fascinating.
It,s the part of the process where's there's many informations to makes decisions on and it feels terrifying for me haha, you do it rigourously and methodically and i like that.
awesome first run. 90 percent is really good. for the first run and learning how she operates, that's a great run. now comes the fun part.
Thanks dude :) Yeah I learnt a LOT thats for sure.
Definitely want to extend that column too!
Nice channel Bro.. I had heard gorge talk about it.. I just subscribed, just bought a electric kettle a reflux ( digiboil kit) would the kettle have enough power to add in a stack of four bubble plates in the column? And should I get the copper dome also? Just learning so any info is welcome!!! Thanks
Awesome video, and that champagne class was quite tacky, glad you repurposed it haha
bahaha. I thought so too! I much better use for it ;)
I'm going back through your older videos trying to find out what exactly you used to control the power on your element. This is the first one where I see you turning the knob to control it, but I would like some more info if you could, please?
10000w or 4000w scr is a good choice from chinese websites. The 4000w needs to have the fuse replaced to a 16A one.
Lol At the intro you look a wee bit listing to port there Jessie. 👍🏻😊
Great video! One question I have is why you insulate the column with a Towel? If you’re trying to cool the vapor to drip back into the pot, wouldn’t it be more efficient if the column was exposed to air?
Yeah really good question. I had thought the same thing. Had a couple of more experienced distillers set me right.
When running like this you want the coil to be creating all the reflux. Essentially so you can control it.
The idea of reflux is to have the fractions sort themselves throughout the column. If a bit of wind blows past and cools the column it could potentially colaps that fradgile ballance.
So it's not about keeping it hot. More about keeping it stable. And useing less energy.
The column reflux relies on the temperature gradient, insulating it helps establish that gradient quicker and maintain it more stable throughout the process. Insulating the boiler helps contain the heat, speeding up the boil.
Luv ur honestly
Gotta be honest
Good videos congratulations, but I was wondering if you have a video step by step for me to make an igaul still to yours
Love your Vids brother. I too use the Teddy Vodka Recipe, but after cooling my mash I tripple distill it through my main boiler and a double thumper system. The outcome is about a 84-86% outstanding flavourable vodka. But I also polish the hell out it using a combination 1/4 liter of Brita filter guts,(3 per box cut and removed) and almost a half liter of regular activated charcoal. All this dumped into a 2 liter plastic pop bottle with the bottom remove and the cap end with a nail size hole and coffee filter added then capped tightly. This is then placed cap side down into a huge transparent clean flower vase where I then pour my spirit run into at about 47%-48%. 3 times i do this right down to 42% and the taste is remarkable better than absolute guarantee. I've researched vodka's endlessly and almost all except 2 companies will filter their product through activated charcoal. Try it brother, you will be highly impressed with the difference. A fellow spirit walker from Canada. Keep up the great work.
Hows it going mate.
Sounds good. I actually like the taste that the wheat imparts so I prefer to keep it (I dig the wheatbix and aniseed) . I guess I am distilling a fair bit higher though.
But mate, if it works for you then that's awesome! Its also cool to see stuff like this pop up in comments. Because I am sure there will be other people that will enjoy it like this too. Awesome thing about home distilling, you can make it the way you like it!
Keep chasing the craft brother!
I triple charcoal filter my vodka also. It is spending the time after the distillation that makes all the difference. I took my vodka to a brewers fest and got high praise for its "smoothness". Zero smell and zero taste, which is the goal.
Sour mash method.
1st Gen:
Ferment your mash. (Pick one)
When fermentation is complete run it in still. (Pot mode)
Make cuts, and save hearts cuts for aging. (Oak them and wait 6 to 9 months.)
2nd Gen:
Save backset (leftover in boiler) from previous run. Add this backset to next ferment, no more than 25% total mash volume. The backset replaces some water.
When 2nd ferment is complete. Transfer to boiler and add heads & tails from Gen 1.
Make cuts, and save hearts cuts for aging.
Repeat. Each generation hearts cut will taste better than the last.
May I suggest a parrot build! It will save you time... This way you can watch the Tralle rise and fall with ABV as you adjust power, or adjust condenser in reflux.
Me thinks some one really wants me to do a sour mash corn? haha
Thanks dude! Honestly probably the most concise description of that process I have seen! Definitely, want to try it ASAP. Just bought grist for a "single malt" Perhaps after that!
If you have had Bourbon. Now you should try the best Bourbon, your own!
I think you should ask yourself. What do you like to drink?
Each spirit process has been done. It just takes time to research it.
Yup! That is pretty much exactly how I am going about it.
My personal preference is scotch>gin>burbon. But I may deviate from that for the sake of content for the channel (like doing the FFV first).
I have never made a gin. It is on my distill list though.
My wife loves scotch. Islay and then Highland for than matter. I have come close twice to an almost "scotch style", but the smokey peet, is elusive to me. Still need to experiment.
ahhhh a lady of class I see! hahah
My preferences are the same as hers :)
I was wondering if you built your heater and I was wondering where you got the plans from. Thanks Jessie for all your great videos for this newbie.
+Rob Farr as in the elements in the boiler? I didn't make the boiler. My man at inglishill distillery hooked me up. I did install and wire the elements though. I got them off Amazon I think. Wiring was simple. Just MAKE SURE everything is grounded ;)
I didnt mean your boiler lol. Sorry for the misunderstanding. I was talking about the wiring and if you would do a video on and what you need to make it. I dont wanna spend 500 on one from a company. Thanks again Jessie
+Rob Farr sorry mate, still not too sure what you mean. So the controller? Or the controller and elements?
Still It the heat controller and the coil in your boiler that you turn up and down to make it get hotter. I wish I could face time with you would make it so much easier lol. I don't even like to text my wife lmao
great vid
Thanks friend :)
Hey man love your vids i just recently started waching and was wondering is the top of your still open?? As in the only thing keeping the vapor from going out the top is the reflux coil, and if sp how does that work??
Welcome to Still It then matre 🥃
Yup, its just open. Basically you just make sure you have enough cooling power to condense any vapour that gets up there. Liquid tends to fall down, not fly up and out of things hahaha.
Its a weird concept, took me a while to get it too.
@@StillIt really appreciate it man, i love this stuff, want to open a craft distillery one day but in america its next to impossible especially since its COMPLETELY illegal to create a product, so you basically have to jump head first into a business and licensing before you can even figure out the recipes/products you are even going to make, long story short it takes a bunch of $$ lol but being able to watch you is a great way to learn and see different types of spirits being produced so its been very educational! Completely love it!
@Mik Wri im sorry thats completely incorrect and you shouldnt be spreading that around online, please do research while some states may have varying laws it is a federal crime to distill absolutely any amount of alcohol without a license or a ethanol fuel permit for making only denatured alcohol. You can legally own any distillation apparatus, size and components do not matter but it cannot be used for alcohol distillation only for looks or for distillation of other compounds
@Mik Wri here we go.. so you got no defense and you go straight to creating a tangent conversation.. ok buddy i very much know how a condenser works, i was just inquiring about the design of his still many reflux condensers are enclosed in the column and not with an open top. Secondly you jumped on here spouting misinformation and didnt even bring any proof to back it up... dont listen to me about what the law is or what i do or dont know doesn't matter to me none and doesn't change facts... law states its illegal period. Take it up with someone else buddy i didnt write the law and im not the one that lied to you about it, find thoes two people and take it up with them
Have a nice day
@Mik Wri lastly i absolutely love how people do that "try reading the law" umm no you took the effort to post on this old comment feed and brung no proof and now im supposed to make your argument for you? Im saying something doesn't exist you are saying it does, the burden of proof is then on you. The reason people like you do what you just did is you know its impossible to PROVE something doesn't exist.. if you were to claim unicorns exist i could set my eyballs on every square inch of the earth and never find one, come and tell you they dont exist just for you to say "they are on another planet". If theres not proof it exists then it doesn't.. not the other way around, wanna have a actual educated debate then bring your ammo with you next time dont ask me to go get it for you
Have a good day buddy
I use HDPE jugs to transfer low wines to the boiler
As you are getting the column to temp what happens to the heads and forshots? Since the volatiles turn to vapor first at under 170 degrees can I just leave the top coil out and allow the vapor to escape through the "T". I'm wondering what effect, if any, it would have allowing the volatiles to cook out first. Would it greatly effect the amount of heads coming through the condenser. I would cork the end of the condenser until the vapor is Ethal then install the CCVM coil and uncork the condenser.. I'm trying to eliminate any head residue in the condenser.
hi there..where bouts are you in NZ..im in Coromandel town..love your vids.cheers
Hows it mate. Im in Manawatu
nice, so how much did you got from the 100L?
i would love to try it, ^^, auto subscribe
Really awesome to see how stable the run is and how consistently the whole still works. Very nice:-)>
Sooo, next week is a tasting vid?
+Bearded & Bored lol perhaps....
It actually wasn't as stable as I thought.....as you will find out next week haha!
+1 on tasting. Jesse just dilute to 50% abv or under.
High abv long term is bad for your health.
Alcohol Medicinal use:
Cold/cough shot: 60% abv with honey and peppermint is great for a cold/cough nighttime sleep remedy. (Just one! With no other medication involved.)
+BigEdsGuns yup yup! Next week my man ;)
May you and yours, enjoy the fruits of your labor!
I may have sampled a little . . . . . ;)
So the top of your still is open where the refractory condenser sits?
Do you get any vapor loss or blowby?
Awesome Jesse! Have been following your journey. I am building a very similar still to yours. Basically using liebig vs your shotgun product condenser and will be using 48" packed column. Have a birdwatchers fermenting for my sacrificial. What was the approximate position you were running your reflux condenser in relation to your tee? You mentioned you forgot to measure. Congrats bro!
Hows it John,
Awesome man! I am thinking right around 48" / 1.2m is where I want my column to be too. So I need to get onto making an extension!
I totally forgot to mention that although I didn't measure it I COULD feel it! A very defined thermal line on the still. It was sitting a little above half way up the horizontal 2" section I think. So perhaps 1.2:1 reflux ??
You could put a valve in there and have control over your reflux ratio.
Im sure eventually I will! That sounds pretty legit.
Kinda went CCVM for now to avoid needing the valve. BUT . . . . . modular right ;)
But in a CCVM, the reflux condenser IS the valve...
You are entirely correct!
My 1st 2 vodkas... a potatoes mash & a barley & sugar mash... worked out well! But I used 5kgs of barley & 12kgs of sugar, let it ferment for 8 days, but got absolutely no vodka out of it! Where do u think I went wrong? Just incase it was the pipes to & from the converter... I've used heaps of plumbers tape to make sure nothing has been escaping... but they worked fine the 1st 2 times! I'm planning to distill my 10 litres of cider tonight. But I'm scared my pot still will loose it all too!🙏🙏🙏💔😭🥂 it's an 8ltr pot still!
hey, i'm looking at building a keg still(upgrade from my janky thrown together 20qt pot) This can be used in pot and reflux mode right?
As a boiler you mean? Yup for sure. Just the column / head changes :)
@@StillIt Thanks! Keep up the good work!
Nice channel 👍
Jesse for this run did you use your product straight from your stripping run or did you dilute it? and if so what did you dilute it to? cheers
Question for ya bud, in your opinion for running off a sweet feed mash that's been strained, would you use a pot still or reflux same with a corn wash. The column still I have is nothing special, it's maybe 2ft tall and has the (shotgun) condenser. (No worm). Copper. Of course I can pack the column with copper mesh to get a reflux action out of it but. From what I'm hearing, without multiple times running it the proof isn't gonna be that intense. But back to my original question, should I use pot or reflux for corn and sweet Feed washes. Im trying to get back into the hobby and be a bit more better this time, 20 yrs back I would only do corn washes mainly and run everything though a pot still. Thanks again for such time induced / informational videos.
Personaly I would use a pot still for that. Probably double distilled/ strip and spirit run.
I like more flavour and body on those kinds of things. You can of course use a reflux still for some flavour but more light and refined. Really up to your taste 🥃👍
@@StillIt
Thanks for your opinion bud 👍, that's what I was thinking myself. Got 10gal made up today, so by next weekend I should be able to run it. Thinking about it, since I did 2 separate buckets. I'll probably try 1 without and copper mesh and the other with the mesh. Just to kinda see what does best as in flavor and ABV.
THANKS AGAIN !!!! Enjoy the rest of your weekend 👍🏼
You can determine an estimate of the final ABV emerging from your reflux still set by using the values of the packing height, column diameter, reflux ratio, power input and the type and properties of the packing material in the column.
A good online site that enables you to experiment with different values of the above parameters is listed below:
homedistiller.org/calcs/hetp_calc
The HETP, number of theoretical stages and the purity of the end product can then be estimated.
You may need to double the column height (keeping everything else constant) in order to get close to you target 94 or 95% ABV. Also, changing the reflux ratio (whilst keeping everything else constant) may only give you marginal improvement in final ABV values.
I have found that the two parameters that can greatly influence the ABV of the final product is column height and the type of packing material used.
(good to stick with copper materials due to the extraction of certain undesirables from the final product - like sulphur)
cheers
Is silicone tubing safe for high proof alcohol?
Can someone explain to me how and why the majority of vapor doesn't escape through the opening on top, but finds it way into the condenser? I don't get it.
Thanks Brethren!
+still it your jacket on your reflux isn't cold enough that why your proof is low. try using a separate pump and valve to regulate water flower only through the jacket. I keep mine separate ( one pump for the condenser with no valve, and one pump through the jacket on the column with a valve to regulate water flow). more reflux = higher proof but you cant go too far, you know the balance when you see it,
Hows it Savage.
Good tip on using two water circuits for reflux and product condensor! I actually do the same, although I think I forgot to mention it in the vid. So thanks for pointing it out!
With this still the reflux is actually controlled by the position of the coil, not the amount of water running through it (within reason of coarse). But I think it may still be a reflux thing, I guess I need to do another reflux run. You know, FOR SCIENCE!
Hi Jessie. I am still reading about distillation but what do you mean when you say "Fraction out"? Many thanks.
collect your ethanol in small jars and keep them in order and make your own choice as to what you keep in your final product...First 2oz from a 5gal batch is methanol ... toss it out it can kill you...next 2-4oz is "heads".....then the good stuff....then the tails near the end.
Jesse have you achieved the magical 94-96% mark yet? If not it maybe because you collected to fast (as you mentioned in your video). Try collecting at 2-3 drops a second and you should se some improvement
+Mart Mennen nope I hit just north of 92 on this one.
I need to do another soon. Perhaps a TPW. Thinking of extending the column too, she's a touch short!
What would you say the ratio of "hope you have an awesome week" vs "hope you have a kick-ass week" is? How do you decide?
Hahaha mate, I dunno. I think it used to be more awesome. Now it's moving towards kickass.
Makes sense. lol. I've been going back through your older videos and filling in the details so I don't questions you've already covered.
I have a question about the length of stills column. As I understand it the longer the colum packed with copper mesh the higher the abv would be expected. When I am running fruit mashed like apple waist from cider, grape skins and stems from wine making, plums etc. I think I like the idea or 110-130 proof product because you also get disolvered esters that bring the essense of the mash. If I were running vodka (not sure why I would do that) I would probably run the pruduct three times any way. What are I missing?
Hi Bruce,
Yeah, that is correct. If you are running a still and actively sending reflux back down the column then more height (with more packing) is generally going to give a higher ABV (with all else being equal).
Personally, if I was running something like grappa (from grape skins) I would not even use packing. I would just use a pot still. I may do a stripping run for efficiency if I had more pomace than would fit in the boiler.
If you are using packing+reflux it is basically the same thing as multiple distillations. More often that not the whole "tripple distilled" thing on bottles is just a marketing thing. They are generally talking plates (ie run through the still once, but through 3 plates) or even "theoretical plates" with packing.
In other words, you can fairly simply put 10% wash in the boiler and get 94% out the other end in one run.
Thank you for the prompt reply. Love the channel. Keep it up.
The quality of the product is affected not only by the height of the column, but also by the amount of copper mesh in it.
Jesse... what keeps the vapors from going out through the open top of this T where you have the coil? I'm a pot still man... never messed with vccm's
I think the coil condenses it all before it reaches the very top, not 100% sure though :)
Was kind of expecting an answer from the Man...
Vapor does not go out the top where you have the reflux coil open ended ?
How much final product did you end up with from the original 100L fermentation?? 🙏🏼
Hey what was your collection rate and what abv were your cut points(if you took notice of course.)
hmmm. Sorry, dont have the details on me. But from memory, abv pretty much solid 91% all the way through untill tails came in strong. collection rate I think I mentioned it in mls per hr for fores (super slow for that though). Then perhaps around 10-15min per 500ml at a guess for hearts.
what is flux changing from one state to another and back.so reflux must be the change of alcohol and water to gas and back. in flux water condenses back to water easier than alcohol. so water is striped as alcohol remains producing a higher proff. at end of conn coil. putting a coil in column to aid in condensation works to only a set temp of water flow equal to alcohol stage temp in run.no use in putting a coil in that condenses everything.fractional distillation.
I built the same still, but I'm struggling with my coil cooling. Tried running it off a pump, but the 40 liter container got hot quickly. I stopped. Does it matter what temp the coil is or is it more a constant full flow? Trying to save water and reuse is. Any thoughts. Went through all your videos, but cant find any info on cooling.
Pretty sure 40L is way too small, unless you are dumping a ton of ice into it (which is more expensive and probably less water wise than just running the tap)
Im seeming lots of people run 250-1000L water barrels/ibc totes
Just an 2021 observation, after watching your video's up to now, March 2021, I have learned so much from you thanks. On top of that, you have progressed to the point of actually looking good! I know it's hard to imagine but your Mamma would be proud( as if she wasn't before). As you pointed out in one of your later vid's, your beard was down to your tit's.... Now after your tour of the Iron Root Distillery in Dennison, Texas I've found a whole new respect for you and the Boy's down Under. If, you ever get a chance to come back to the States on your journeys, try to make it up to Breckenridge Distillery in Breckenridge, Colorado. While not as fancy and pretty as my Texas Boy's place, it has won some awards plus you could take your kids skiing, sledding or bobbing(what ever ya'll call it). I just wanted to give you an "atta" boy!
I have a 2inch refux 8 gallon still from mile high. I only get 8 cups from 5 gallons of wash...is this a normal yield
How much low wines did you charge the your still with to start ?
I get 140 proff of my copper pot still American made by Georgia still company it pnly a 5 gallon batch at each time but its the best
Jesse, please explain one thing or point me to a video where you already explained. How come you leave the top of the column when you put the coil in unsealed, pretty much open? I don't get that. Thanx.
Hi, I just ask the same thing, pretty much.
I'm about to do my first distilling ever, and was very curious about the open top.
@@shutterspeedjb he has another video where he addresses this. I saw it but I can't remember which one was. :o)))
Yes imho 70cm is too low, add another 50cm to it? Why don't you add a gate valve right after your SS Tee fitting and keep your coil high enough, let's say around the junction between the copper upper part and the SS Tee fitting, which means that your upper part could be too short...
You say your column isn't tall enough but you have it insulated with a blanket. What would happen if you removed the blanket?
Do you use a dial thermometer or digital. I have a dial one and it's very hard to keep consistent heat.
+brittenv1000 do you mean on the still? Actually I don't have one yet. I REALLY need to get one sorted up top just after the T. But I have been using digital ones.
@brittenv Temperature can be something of a red herring. My first run, I started out using a thermocouple at the top of the column to control my heater controller to try to keep the top of the column at a set temperature. This cycled the heater on and off (full power to zero power)and the lag between boiler and column meant that control was lousy. Troubleshooting led me to switch over to manually controlling power output, as he does in this video. Worked so much better. By using manually set power to control condenser flow rate, I got very good results. I can read the temp from the thermocouple, but I don’t need it.
Congrats Jesse..! Well, the length of the column was probably the cause for the "low" ABV. However, my column ain't much higher than yours and I'm quite ok with the numbers in the lower 90's. Remember, the AVB says nothing about the purity and you won't be drinking it that strength anyway. IF you decide to extend your column anyway, be aware of if you are around 1200-1500mm you're high enough. Any length above that, won't give you a higher ABV and is just waste of material.
In my opinion, it's not worth extending the column a lot or run excessive slow (high reflux rate)to get the last points up to 95% ABV (95,63 to be exact). You won't be able to push it further as Ethanol is hygroscopic (it attracts water). So it reaches azeotropic conditions at said 95,63% and the only way to get to 100% would be vacuum distillation. That makes no sense, however, cause it would attract the water in the air as soon as it comes out in the atmosphere.
Now you just have one thing left...doing the cuts after the spirits are aired out for some hours (night over would be fine).
I really enjoyed following your journey and seeing the end result..
Happy stilling.
Thanks Kalle!
Always appreciate the input/hints/tips!!! I hear you on the diminishing returns for the column. I am thinking of adding another 40/50cm piece to it next. I like the idea of having different length modular pieces to experiment with :)
Between 400 and 500 mm is an excellent choice..! It will work just fine. See...now you know why you build modular with triclamps.. :D
hahahaha yup yup :)
I may, or may not . . . .
Be thinking forward to a 4" plate still as well ;)
Still It 10/10 recommend the plater. Even 3" feels like flying through a run compared to 2".
A plated is fine for its versatility. For neutral, one can't beat the CCVM setup. Simple, cheap to make, and delivers high ABV spirits without being complicated to run.
Column physics say: Height=purity/strength of product, Diameter= speed. Based on the cross sectional areal (CSA) a 3" column, is more than double compared to the 2".
That can also be seen by the amount such column is capable of producing. A 3" CCVM will be capable of twice the take off rate than a 2" would have.
A 4" column would probably be the largest I'd recommend using on a keg setup, regardless if it's a packed for the CCVM, a plated, or a hybrid (like mine).
sweet
Just a little . . . with a wheat twist ;)
cant get over that champagne glass
Nor could my wife........
how can you test if the product is good to drink
Use good ingredients, ferment well, dont add dodgy stuff, take generous cuts. Then its safe.
Great run down on reflux 👍
why i get a dirty product...liquid was not clear and clean...it got a milky color...can u help me with this?
how long did it take my last one took five but stopped at 80 proof..
+derrick johnston about 11 hrs all up with the fix at the start included.
Do a brandy
This is old but here is my take: You got 91% because of the copper coils in your condenser. You would get more alcohol ABV by stacking more copper in the condenser or with bubble plates but why? 91% is good for a reflux still but I am not sure why you tried to reinvent the wheel with this still. Because it is a fun hobby I would guess. A T500 will do the same if not a slightly better job.
Here is my question that will never be answered: A pot still with a pipe going up to a thermometer and then down a line arm to cool it to 55c is different than the T500 with the copper and stainless steel packed in the condenser.
But what is the difference between a pot still with bubble plates and the T500? They both do the same job of cooling back into liquid and dropping down and catching some of the steam and re cooking it. Aside from the sight glass, there doesn't seem to be any difference.
So: Why is it that people say a T500 strips the flavour out but everyone raves about having 3 or 4 bubble plates with sight glass? Isn't that doing the same job?
Jesse, do you have a name for your still?
Why did you insulate the reflux column ??
Basically Because I want to be in control of all reflux through the coil. I don't want a breeze or change in temp out side etc to influence what's going on inside.
OK. True.
What abv did you on this still
What is the size of these copper pipes?
2 inch :)
Why do people insulate the riser? Im under the impression the colder it stays the more natural/environmental reflux you dont have to work for. I understand insulating the boiler, but why the riser??
+Callum Taggart yeah I hear you. As I understand it , it's more about control and economy.
You don't want to basically be heating the room with the elements. May as well use the energy I am putting in to actually move the vapour.
Also, it's about protecting the rather fragile fractioning going on in the column. Copper is such a sweet conductor that a unexpected breeze man just collapse the fractions. You want to keep the reflux steady and in your control......or so I am told haha
Still It great idea insulting the copper you could loose a lot of energy from radiating heat away from equipment,I was afraid of burning the blanket,any ideas what to use?wool?
Baker could use a mineral wool like roxul rockwool
Prices column ?
How do you what's heads, hearts or tails?
+Terry Dolan honestly dude, I can't say I'm a real pro there. But here is what I have learnt.
Only real way to do it is with your senses. Taste, smell and mouth sensation/feel. Collect in as smaller jars as you can and lay them out in order off the still.
Let them breath over night to open up a bit and make it easier. Take samples out of each and blend it down to around 35% abv.
People seem to describe heads and tails on different ways. Senses are subjective, so I guess you need to experience it yourself.
But next week's video should help you out a bit too ;)
Still It That sounds a little scary lol aren't they quite harmful to consume? I'm surprised that the test is so subjective.
+Terry Dolan I think perhaps you are thinking of the fore shots. Which you take off before the heads. People generally use a volume measurement for foreshore.
The early heads are pretty obvious (even for a newb like me). And there is no way that you will keep your first jar or two anyway. So no need to taste those.
So by the time you are tasting you are clean and clear of fore shots. Also ..... spit! Tasting 20 jars is going to mess you up fast haha. Drunk blending = bad blending hahaha
Still It smells like acetone.
do you monitor temperature ?
At the line arm you mean? No not yet. I should though! Need to install a port for a thermometer.
thanks for your reply ! awesome videos very informative!!... I have looked up relux still and your build seems to suit my needs , I like that it can be used as a reflux and pot still... I haven't found anyone that says anything about temperatures when operating a reflux still... seems to me though that you would want to keep the mash below 100C ( yes I use metric because Farenheit was invented by a drunken mathematician throwing dice... come on Yanks get with it !!!)
Hahahah. Dude metric all the way!!
Ah so if you are talking boiler temp he you don't really need to worry about it. Think of it this way, if you are boiling water you don't need to worry about keeping it under 100c right? You can't get it over 100c (ignoring pressure etc).
The wash will boil at the temp relative to whatever the solution is. The same as adding salt to water alters it's boiling point.
It is useful to monitor the temp at the top of the line arm. You don't want to monitor it to try and change it, it's just giving you really valuable info on what is happening inside, and what is coming out of the still at that point in time.
just found this . they are using a different style but recommend a thermometer at the top , which wouldn't work with your style of still but maybe a theremometer right at the lower end of the cooling coil? th-cam.com/video/f4rlbxgvBM8/w-d-xo.html
Good ol barley and hops :).
Yup so I am going to put one in right at the top of the line arm. Basically you want it to be right at the point of no return for the vapour. The point where all the vapour that reaches that point is going to end up going through the condenser.
Bro my build is ghetto as all get out but it runs some good spirits lol. #imfuckingsickofdough
Awesome mate! What kinda spirits are you making??
I like watching your stuff, but I never know what you're talking about because you use so many abbreviations. >__
Since you have electrical control over the heat, I would think that - if you would use an electrical thermometer probe right at the top of the reflux column, so that you can know what temperature it is. This should take the guesswork out of achieving the highest proof.
E,g., if the temp for methanol evaporation is 148 F degrees, then running the heat controller to keep that temp at that point only, should give a chance for the column to only allow the passing of methanol.
If that temp is kept stable at - say 165 F degrees for good measure - for the period of time it takes for the condenser to clear any/all liquids left in it; then it would be ready to turn the temperature up to ethanol's evaporation point - which is 171 F degrees. Then let it sit at that control temp until no more liquid passes out of the condenser tube output.
Now, in theory anyway, as you then raise the temperature further, it will allow the congeners and isopropyl alcohol to come out of condensation at 181 F degrees/higher. So the cleanest and purist ethanol can be obtained without undesirable smells, tastes, and contaminants, as long as the temps are kept at/below 180 F degrees.
If you were then to make a third spirit run, it should bring it high enough to reach the 195 proof level to attain an alcohol that could be used for vodka or gin. Or, do the initial stripping run with the column in reflux - instead of pot mode - while monitoring these temps so that no more than two runs should attain a cleaner alcohol and the desired proof.
This is one of the reasons why the use of an electrical heat source is best. Not to mention, that it is far better not to have an open flame around a purer alcohol vapor possibly leaking that could cause a fire or explosion - or both.
Have you considered using a thermometer at the top of the still head?
Just some thoughts.
I enjoy all of your videos a bunch.
Ah, the *good* shellac thinner…