Congrats for 3 years! I started watching your vids 2 1/2 years ago and between you, George and Bearded I stepped my game up way higher than just the forum site. I'm hoping you'd like to delve into some more recipes soon. I just made Bearded's Cream Ale but I'm looking at doing something exotic let me a light summer time or a more corn/ wheat based vodka. Interested in a challenge? Lol! You're totally more stuck in more than I but I learn a whole lot watching your vids. Thanks and keep it up!
I run my Mile high 8 gallon milk can on pot mode 95% of the time. I rarely make vodka type spirits and would much rather carry over the flavor nuances in my other projects. An exceptional single malt was one of the best things I have created. I'm very proud when friends equate my finished product with very respectable off the shelf go to's that are not on the cheap end. It is a very satisfying hobby. Love your channel and content, Jesse, my friend! Matt
Firstly... love your videos. Always a satisfying watch and look forward to your posts. Now for the yeah but...😁 Here in the states you can buy a 26 gallon dual purpose stainless steel still with a 3 inch column for around $900 delivered. No brazing, no welding, no shopping or assembling... other than tri clamps and normal assembly. Cheap... no. Quality and ease of maintenance... yes. Perhaps not so much in 🇳🇿 ? I honestly couldn’t say. Obviously there are many other expenses involved. Water pump(s)... cooler... tubing... clamps...copper mesh...ect...ect... About $1500 will get you in the 26 gallon game in America... Your setup seems like a lot more work than needed. Unless you’re a do it yourself enthusiast??? And you’re ABSOLUTELY CORRECT... The learning curve is steep to say the least. Thankfully there is a large , friendly and very helpful community to lean on and learn from. Thank you for being one of that community. Thanks Jessie.💪👍🥃
Jesse thanks for this video mate! One thing that really cracked me up so hard was the DAD300 bit. I've watched all your CCVM videos multiple times and I love that you have mixed up the creditials when you chat about it 😂. I think we have had DAD3000 DAD2000 DAD200 & DAD300 renditions in the videos over the years. Haha ahh I feel like it's almost become a tradition to slightly get it wrong in a video before getting it right 😂😂. Absolutely love it!! Ahh but in all seriousness thanks for making this video. I am glad you elaborated on the top chamber and potentials of vapour escaping. This has been one of those things thats always difficult to conceptualise and a bit of info on that helped so much. Thanks to these videos on the CCVM still this is literally all I have been wanting to make. Keep up the great work man. You have taught an immense load of people really well!!! 👏👏
Can’t believe you lucked it and started out with the CCVM design. I started with an off the shelf CM. Then I bought a small pot which fell apart just leaving me just with the RC. I sold the CM to buy a dephlegmator and incorporated the RC in a modular build to make a VM before settling on a modular CCVM configuration. I wimped out on winding a copper tube RC and made mine out of CSST plus a couple of SS potscrubbers. I hear what you say about pot stills, I use my pot still about 8 times as often as the CCVM
This one was really helpful, I'm designing my own still, and it's going to be a 50lts beer keg, with 2 heat elements, pretty much what you have (of course that is were the inspiratión came from :) )... the only changes I'm gonna do are to the column, instead of 2'' I chose 4'' and instead of the precondenser, I'm going for the "dephlegmator" kind of precondensing, although I'm gonna put the water inside the column in a 2'' (or maybe 3'') copper tube... the only thing I prefer on this one, I find it is easier to regulate the water flux rate. The next thing I may consider to add, it's a stirring motor...let's see! Thanks thanks thanks for all your content!
heya Jesse thanks so much for making these videos. I've been following your videos and have just built my first CCVM still. Could you do an in depth video on how you run your still? Including reflux times and percentages etc
Hi, thanks for that. Will you do a video on your pot and the way you control the heater power? Seen your video regarding PID, interesting. I run a PID that I took from George, I can see your view to. So I was thinking to try your method using my same still and see the results! More info on your method hence the request would be good though. Thanks. Oh, was thinking to try on my first trail of whiskey!! 😁
I love my shotgun condencer 😊 I use a Dephlegmator for the reflux and I like that as well. I have a 3in column I would like 4in but I only have 110 available for power so I won't gain anything. It might even be counter productive. But I'm very happy with my sill and column. I run 4 bubble plates im very happy with the flavor at 190. But definitely after I've proofed it down to 100.
Shotgun is totally worth it eh? Do you have good luck dialing in the the Dephlag? I find it great for use with the plates. But find it hard to dial things in for a packed column.
@@StillIt OMG im glad you said that ! I ran mine with a solid pipe and rashing rings the other day. I brought it up to temp super slow i refluxed for like 45 min but I still had a hard time chasing the temp. I did finally manage to get it diald in but it was not nearly as easy as with plates. Maybe it has something to do with packing the column restricts the flow more so than plates.
I agree that a shotgun condenser is a must. Worm tubs work but are less efficient and can hog space. Currently working on one that is 30 inches long and 4 inches around. Has 45 feet of 1/2 copper tubes in it. This thing will handle anything I use it on.
Hey Jesse. About the time you chose to go CCVM I was chosing also, but went with a 2" boka and I completly love it. It was my first and wasn't hard to build. I know either one would have been a great choice but I love the flexibility and performance I get. Just one thing, you've mentioned a couple of times that the needle valve required for a boka is a high cost item, but I bought mine from Aliexpress for $10 delivered and it's ideal. All SS, with compression fittings and it works great. 95.6% abv no problem at all. BTW it's easy to operate the boka as a pot still similarly to yours. I just remove the reflux column and triclamp the boka head to the pot. Voila.
Nice man. I have often thought I should finish my boka build. Seems like a cool build, I have gone through a bunch of theory learning on them. But never used one in person. Have a link for that valve??
@@StillIt The actualy one I ordered is no longer there, but here's the link to what it was. I liked this one because it specifically listed ALL the materials so I was confidant it was suitable. www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/0.html?spm=a2g0s.9042647.6.1.76294c4dP7320o&orderId=505200280829370&productId=32839157814 Below are a couple I see listed now that I would buy. Note that some needle valves are "shut off" or "off" needle valves as well, which is the type we need so we can acutally shut flow off completely as well as adjust it. I've been completely happy with the one I bought. There are lots of others also but I specifically wanted one with 1/4" compression fittings so I didn't have to buy additional fittings to connect my 1/4" copper offtake tube. www.aliexpress.com/item/32914413719.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.36.5ae217389pg5R9 www.aliexpress.com/item/32950865297.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.3.3e5b56b4CqE5LF
I'd be interested in seeing Riku's ARC column, "Thor's Hammer," but, like you, more interested in Pot Still stuff...so, here in the States, on-grain steam (but not direct injection) is what I'd like to see. However, I know that wouldn't be your cup of tea, since you are more likely to use barley than corn, and distilling on-the-grain isn't recommended for malted barley. Years ago I used an earlier plan from Riku for ARC, and it produced a vodka with just a slight hint of burnt sugar -- from a sugar wash with turbo yeast! Cleanest vodka I've ever had...but, I don't drink vodka anymore...I don;t distill anymore, either, but I can dream.
I'm learning a lot from you before diving into this world of flavors, thanks!!! I am a hands on guy and I would enjoy very much if you schooled us in a DIY , cheap, quality, customizable still. Big shout out from the rotten apple!
Hey Jesse! I intend to do a model similar to yours, but will build the pot to be 200L and the column to be 4". Thanks for the vídeo, was reaaaaalllllyyyy good to watch.
Manu du Hanoi first floated the moving RC coil concept on the HD forum but it was DAD300 who really championed the design after that and I believe (could be wrong) suggested using corrugated stainless steel tubing for the RC and later on for a dimroth PC
+1 You sir are 100% correct. Manu de Hanoi was the pioneer. DAD300 redesigned and perfected it. Years back after upgrading to a keg, I built a 3 inch Manu column design. Only downside to it was a 4 foot tall (scoria packed) with a 2.5 foot arm at 30 degrees. So it was heavy and not well balanced and I added safety straps to it just becasue. Few years later I turned it into a 5 plate sieve flute.
Got my still from from alibaba. 60l pot reflux combo with dual purpose 2" column. With shipping under $500. Only thing I would have done differently is a 3 column or at least a 3 inch lid with a 2 inch adapter to allow for modifications. You can get some nice units reasonable priced from the right manufacturer's
When I grow up I want a 50mm/2mm column, lol. About to add 12-18 inch of column height myself. Good vid. Every now and then, remind us what CCVM stands for. 😂
For your reflux condenser, have you tried sticking copper scrubbers or SS scrubbers in amongst the coil? I do that with my CSST reflux coil and it works great.
Great vid mate , distilling definitely seems to be split down the middle in either pot or reflux , pot mode for me based on what I like to make , keen to see your boiler vid 🥃👌🏼
Hey Jessy, I'm currently building a ccvm based (almost entirely) off your design and success with it. What is the length of your column at the moment? I had wondered about making the column more modular so may do that too. The only other thing I've done different is to have a 4" port in my keg (which I'm going to flip so I can use the 2" as a drain) with a reducer to 2" so I can upgrade the column if I want later on.
Jesse try one of the new four or five plate integrated bubble columns with a dephlegmator atop. You'll be amazed at how cool they work. I get easy 95% and have pretty much stopped using my traditional reflux column with its mesh and raschig rings. The price on these bubble columns has come down and makes them a serious consideration. I love mine.
Yeah cool man. I have 3 plates. Love using 1 or two to get straight to spirit run without a stripping run. Have not tried it in terms of super high ABV though. May need to get some more parts and give it a go.
ok...being a rookie...here a question....if you drop the reflux coil to block the vapors from leaving the side tube ( 100% reflux)...and the vapors eventually do get past the cooling coil at a high ABV then wouldn't it stand to reason that a small amount could possibly make it past the cooling coil up top? you could just wrap saran wrap around the top...saran wrap doesn't melt until 300 degrees? I live close to George here in Texas- FYI your vids are Kickass ...thanks brother!
Jesse, Big hello from British Columbia Canada. Thank you for all your great and helpful video's. I just built my own first keg still ( built the keg , bought the reflux column off Alliexpress). I'm just fermenting my very first stripping run. My question is ,, do you run cold water from the tap or through a ice chest threw your condenser ?
Couple questions what is your tap water temp? Are paying for water on a water bill? If your water from your tap is cold enough it will work fine. I am on a well and the 10 degree celcius water if plenty cold enough. The other consideration is I am not paying for the water so running the tap for 4 hours doesn't kill me either
Hi great Video I also like the Keg idea, may I ask I have seen that you use an element to warm up the Keg, what do you do with mash, do you have a false bottom, and I suppose you have a seperate setup for making Beer.
I’ve learned recently about primary and secondary fermentation. I read that you absolutely do not want to let your ferment go longer than 96 hours. Preferably 72-80 hours. This is due to secondary fermentation getting some bad esterification causing off flavors that can’t be separated via distillation. What are your thoughts?
Hey Jesse hope you see this . Did you find it hard brazing the ferrules onto the longest copper pipe? . I just get the idea the copper would act like a giant heatsink and not get hot enough at the bit you want to join . I have been reading on HD and a member said he had to pre heat the copper with a gas burner to get it hot enough even whilst using mapp gas . He was using 15% silver rods though . just curious how your experience was as I want to try brazing ferrules to a long pipe with 55% silver rods and mapp torch which is what you did in the brazing videos iirc .
Hey Jesse, sorry to rehash an old video. A newbie for across the ditch. Does the product take off need to be a 90° T or can it be a 45° and save a bend further down? Keep up the good work, and get a chuckle every time I hear a sheep in the background. Cheers Gavin
Jesse, thanks for all you do for the distilling world. on your setup, in pot still mode, what's you run times? i updated mine over the winter months to a 2" column and a 3/4 over 1/2" liebig. I'm curious as the 2" vapor speed necked down to a 1/2" condenser. i know it's a very common setup. Any thoughts about, liebig v/s shotgun and the vapor speed. thanks again.
Question for you. Could you make a shotgun condenser and put it between your pot and the tee where the vapor turns down using it for a reflux still, just adjusting water flow to let steam get through?
Hi Jesse, just looking to get into distilling, primary purpose is making Vodka. My question is I have a 2" x 3' column I was going to split in the middle, adding marbles and copper mesh in the upper half, do I really need the coil condenser and if I do, does it go above or below the shot gun condenser outlet? thanks
How would you kit out a 50L+ reflux still if you had 2k budget. FYI boiling down 200L of vodka right now and 200L of rum by Saturday because the landlord says he will boot me if I don't stop distilling.
Moonshine distillers 26 gallon dual purpose stainless $900-950 shipped. Another $600-700 for everything else. Cooler, pumps, tubing, yeast, clamps, buckets, air locks, ect...ect... $1500-1600 your in the 98 liter game.👍🥃
i want to see you take the condenser apart so we can understand it better...did you say there are 5 tubes inside? can't quite visualize it, so if you could give a peek inside, that would be very helpful. thanks Jesse! your videos are great info for getting into the craft
Curious to know the tubing gauge and radius of the reflux coil you're using. I know you didn't video the build for that one but I'm wondering how you got those coils so tight. Did you fill it with water and freeze before coiling?
So, diameter of column is the variable that effects time for runs? I have a 2" column and it takes forever! I can pull 93.5% easily (keg still with 5500w 240v element) but it takes days! Even in pot still configuration (I add a sight glass and packing to reflux. Just a head for pot mode) it takes days. I really want to be able to do a full run in a day. Less if I can. Any suggestions?
Increasing the diameter of the column will not change the speed for a pot still run. But it will allow you to take product off faster for a reflux run. You will need a fair bit more power going into the still though,.
Running at 20% is why it takes days! Dont be afraid to turn it up ! 75% it will be ready to go in an hr! I would run it at 75% untill it reached 150' then back it to 50% till it starts going then adjust accordingly to get the right output! But w/ 5500 watts 240v you shouldn't have Any issues getting her up and pumping in an hr! Easy!
It does not happen to me too often (other than gin). If you are getting it you have something in either the water or the spirtit that was in solution that can not be in solution when mixed. More often than not its oils in the spirit that are forced out of solution as the ABV drops. Dont proof quite so low if thats the case. Honestly, I dont think its a huge deal though.
Thanks Jesse! How come you don’t use a thumper? I know there’s a million different ways. I run mine very slow with a thumper and no stripping run. Would you recommend a stripping run, then run without a thumper? What do you expect the results to be?
Ok so what I’m hearing and also from some extra research, if you changed your column from a 2” to a 4” with a 4” port out of your keg and continued to use the same shotgun condenser it would not speed up a spirit run? If anyone has a thought on this I would love to hear it. Also learning heaps from your channel.
Yeah it would not change the speed of a stripping run. It wouldnt change the speed of a pot still run either. But it would change things up a lot for a reflux run.
Ok so first question is how much does a typical PATREON donate monthly? I would love to sponsor you however haven’t sponsored anyone and no idea where to start? Second: Mark from Silverfox has an awesome still setup for under a $1000 CAN . Lots of versatility and looks pretty. Why not step up and pick up one of these? You deserve it with the amount of passion you put into your craft. I learn new techniques every time I watch/rewatch your vids. Thank you again, cheers 🍻
I think being in New Zealand limits the availability of cheaper alternatives. Here in the states there are infinitely better setups for under $1500. Just a guess.🤷♂️
Hay man have you ever thought about building a triple distiller some large company's use a huge triple distillery could you make a smaller version the Bacardi company gets 85%-90% right off the spigot
I bassicly copyed your design but i also built a diaganal lye pipe to increase coper contact and i built a second shot gun condencer that about 15 cm long that i can use as a reflux condencer or a hot water generator before the main condencer buy running water though it slowly and running water though the main condencer fast to finish knocking down the liquid
Ha ha, good one, my friend!! Had a good laugh. Your cherry apple cider is my next project. I've made strawberry watermelon Brandy, blackberry shine, single malt, bourbon, sour mash as well as rum and Tequila. It's all been fun as well as tasty. Hoping to get down to Texas this fall or winter. My friend near Dallas/ Ft Worth has a hog problem and I have several solutions, lol. Maybe grill us some fresh pork while we shoot the shit!!
I've copied your design. I would make 2 major changes. 1 Making the shotgun condensor is fiddly and wasn't really worth the effort I put into it, compared for what I can buy on aliexpress, so I would do that instead. 2 the condensor for controlling the still can be super fiddly and I would have definitely made it longer. I'm going to be running mine on a water pump soon instead of on the tap so that might fix the performance issues with it.
Nah, you can just use a converter. So I would go 2" ferrule on the top of the pot to 2"-4" converter, then the 4" colum, 4"-2" converter, line arm, shotgun.
Congrats for 3 years! I started watching your vids 2 1/2 years ago and between you, George and Bearded I stepped my game up way higher than just the forum site. I'm hoping you'd like to delve into some more recipes soon. I just made Bearded's Cream Ale but I'm looking at doing something exotic let me a light summer time or a more corn/ wheat based vodka. Interested in a challenge? Lol! You're totally more stuck in more than I but I learn a whole lot watching your vids. Thanks and keep it up!
Cheers mate. You know thats actually not a bad idea at all. Maay be time for an all grain vodka.
calm down jesse we love u, u are a great person hope u keep pushing us to evolve. :)
I run my Mile high 8 gallon milk can on pot mode 95% of the time. I rarely make vodka type spirits and would much rather carry over the flavor nuances in my other projects. An exceptional single malt was one of the best things I have created. I'm very proud when friends equate my finished product with very respectable off the shelf go to's that are not on the cheap end. It is a very satisfying hobby. Love your channel and content, Jesse, my friend! Matt
It is definitly a satisfying hobby, on so many levels! Cheers mate :)
@@StillIt cheers right back at ya, my good friend!!
Firstly... love your videos.
Always a satisfying watch and look forward to your posts.
Now for the yeah but...😁
Here in the states you can buy a 26 gallon dual purpose stainless steel still with a 3 inch column for around $900 delivered.
No brazing, no welding, no shopping or assembling... other than tri clamps and normal assembly.
Cheap... no.
Quality and ease of maintenance... yes.
Perhaps not so much in 🇳🇿 ?
I honestly couldn’t say.
Obviously there are many other expenses involved.
Water pump(s)... cooler... tubing... clamps...copper mesh...ect...ect...
About $1500 will get you in the 26 gallon game in America...
Your setup seems like a lot more work than needed.
Unless you’re a do it yourself enthusiast???
And you’re ABSOLUTELY CORRECT...
The learning curve is steep to say the least.
Thankfully there is a large , friendly and very helpful community to lean on and learn from.
Thank you for being one of that community.
Thanks Jessie.💪👍🥃
Jesse thanks for this video mate! One thing that really cracked me up so hard was the DAD300 bit. I've watched all your CCVM videos multiple times and I love that you have mixed up the creditials when you chat about it 😂. I think we have had DAD3000 DAD2000 DAD200 & DAD300 renditions in the videos over the years. Haha ahh I feel like it's almost become a tradition to slightly get it wrong in a video before getting it right 😂😂. Absolutely love it!! Ahh but in all seriousness thanks for making this video. I am glad you elaborated on the top chamber and potentials of vapour escaping. This has been one of those things thats always difficult to conceptualise and a bit of info on that helped so much. Thanks to these videos on the CCVM still this is literally all I have been wanting to make. Keep up the great work man. You have taught an immense load of people really well!!! 👏👏
HAHAHAH, another tradition is born :)
It was Dad 300. VERY knowledgeable, and helpful guy
Can’t believe you lucked it and started out with the CCVM design. I started with an off the shelf CM. Then I bought a small pot which fell apart just leaving me just with the RC. I sold the CM to buy a dephlegmator and incorporated the RC in a modular build to make a VM before settling on a modular CCVM configuration. I wimped out on winding a copper tube RC and made mine out of CSST plus a couple of SS potscrubbers. I hear what you say about pot stills, I use my pot still about 8 times as often as the CCVM
I think it had less to do with luck and more to do with a core group of people that took me under their wing and sorted me out haha.
This one was really helpful, I'm designing my own still, and it's going to be a 50lts beer keg, with 2 heat elements, pretty much what you have (of course that is were the inspiratión came from :) )... the only changes I'm gonna do are to the column, instead of 2'' I chose 4'' and instead of the precondenser, I'm going for the "dephlegmator" kind of precondensing, although I'm gonna put the water inside the column in a 2'' (or maybe 3'') copper tube... the only thing I prefer on this one, I find it is easier to regulate the water flux rate.
The next thing I may consider to add, it's a stirring motor...let's see!
Thanks thanks thanks for all your content!
Nice man. I use the Dephlag when using the plates. I like if for that. happy building!
heya Jesse thanks so much for making these videos. I've been following your videos and have just built my first CCVM still. Could you do an in depth video on how you run your still? Including reflux times and percentages etc
Hi, thanks for that. Will you do a video on your pot and the way you control the heater power? Seen your video regarding PID, interesting. I run a PID that I took from George, I can see your view to. So I was thinking to try your method using my same still and see the results! More info on your method hence the request would be good though. Thanks. Oh, was thinking to try on my first trail of whiskey!! 😁
I love my shotgun condencer 😊 I use a Dephlegmator for the reflux and I like that as well. I have a 3in column I would like 4in but I only have 110 available for power so I won't gain anything. It might even be counter productive. But I'm very happy with my sill and column. I run 4 bubble plates im very happy with the flavor at 190. But definitely after I've proofed it down to 100.
Shotgun is totally worth it eh?
Do you have good luck dialing in the the Dephlag? I find it great for use with the plates. But find it hard to dial things in for a packed column.
@@StillIt OMG im glad you said that ! I ran mine with a solid pipe and rashing rings the other day. I brought it up to temp super slow i refluxed for like 45 min but I still had a hard time chasing the temp. I did finally manage to get it diald in but it was not nearly as easy as with plates. Maybe it has something to do with packing the column restricts the flow more so than plates.
I agree that a shotgun condenser is a must. Worm tubs work but are less efficient and can hog space. Currently working on one that is 30 inches long and 4 inches around. Has 45 feet of 1/2 copper tubes in it. This thing will handle anything I use it on.
Yeah its so nice knowing that its just not a issue. Enjoy the build mate.
Loving it!! I’ve always wanted to build one. The hardest part was making the first cut on that pretty sheet of copper! Another “cherry” popped!
Noice vid👌finally finished my kit on ur design,first run was awsome,thank u 👍keep them vids coming
Hey Jesse. About the time you chose to go CCVM I was chosing also, but went with a 2" boka and I completly love it. It was my first and wasn't hard to build. I know either one would have been a great choice but I love the flexibility and performance I get. Just one thing, you've mentioned a couple of times that the needle valve required for a boka is a high cost item, but I bought mine from Aliexpress for $10 delivered and it's ideal. All SS, with compression fittings and it works great. 95.6% abv no problem at all.
BTW it's easy to operate the boka as a pot still similarly to yours. I just remove the reflux column and triclamp the boka head to the pot. Voila.
Nice man. I have often thought I should finish my boka build. Seems like a cool build, I have gone through a bunch of theory learning on them. But never used one in person.
Have a link for that valve??
@@StillIt The actualy one I ordered is no longer there, but here's the link to what it was. I liked this one because it specifically listed ALL the materials so I was confidant it was suitable. www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/0.html?spm=a2g0s.9042647.6.1.76294c4dP7320o&orderId=505200280829370&productId=32839157814
Below are a couple I see listed now that I would buy. Note that some needle valves are "shut off" or "off" needle valves as well, which is the type we need so we can acutally shut flow off completely as well as adjust it. I've been completely happy with the one I bought. There are lots of others also but I specifically wanted one with 1/4" compression fittings so I didn't have to buy additional fittings to connect my 1/4" copper offtake tube.
www.aliexpress.com/item/32914413719.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.36.5ae217389pg5R9
www.aliexpress.com/item/32950865297.html?spm=2114.12010615.8148356.3.3e5b56b4CqE5LF
Been watching you from the start, been great to see how you started and impediments to video quality. Keep up the good work mate.
Thanks the support all this time man!
Awesome video Jessie, love the simplicity of the still, keep up the craft
Cheers :)
I'd be interested in seeing Riku's ARC column, "Thor's Hammer," but, like you, more interested in Pot Still stuff...so, here in the States, on-grain steam (but not direct injection) is what I'd like to see. However, I know that wouldn't be your cup of tea, since you are more likely to use barley than corn, and distilling on-the-grain isn't recommended for malted barley.
Years ago I used an earlier plan from Riku for ARC, and it produced a vodka with just a slight hint of burnt sugar -- from a sugar wash with turbo yeast! Cleanest vodka I've ever had...but, I don't drink vodka anymore...I don;t distill anymore, either, but I can dream.
I'm learning a lot from you before diving into this world of flavors, thanks!!! I am a hands on guy and I would enjoy very much if you schooled us in a DIY , cheap, quality, customizable still.
Big shout out from the rotten apple!
Hey Jesse! I intend to do a model similar to yours, but will build the pot to be 200L and the column to be 4". Thanks for the vídeo, was reaaaaalllllyyyy good to watch.
Nice, thats a serious still :)
Manu du Hanoi first floated the moving RC coil concept on the HD forum but it was DAD300 who really championed the design after that and I believe (could be wrong) suggested using corrugated stainless steel tubing for the RC and later on for a dimroth PC
+1 You sir are 100% correct. Manu de Hanoi was the pioneer. DAD300 redesigned and perfected it.
Years back after upgrading to a keg, I built a 3 inch Manu column design. Only downside to it was a 4 foot tall (scoria packed) with a 2.5 foot arm at 30 degrees. So it was heavy and not well balanced and I added safety straps to it just becasue. Few years later I turned it into a 5 plate sieve flute.
Love it. I’m thinking about getting a 2 foot piece of copper just to have some extra height.
Nice man. I should really do the same thing lol
Meanwhile Im just waiting on my T500 to arrive and though a beginner plan on it to be my forever-still. Love your videos, informative.
Nice man! I wish it speedy shipment!
My God man you've got a lot of content! Some I like, and some I just put in the back
Awesome dude! Thanx for the vids!
You bet!
Weave one or two SS potscrubbers in and around your RC coil to get better contact with the inner walls of your column and get greater knockdown power.
Got my still from from alibaba. 60l pot reflux combo with dual purpose 2" column. With shipping under $500. Only thing I would have done differently is a 3 column or at least a 3 inch lid with a 2 inch adapter to allow for modifications. You can get some nice units reasonable priced from the right manufacturer's
Hi Lee, What manufacturer did you use?
@@guypbrown wenzhou yayi light industrial machinery co
Nice man
When I grow up I want a 50mm/2mm column, lol. About to add 12-18 inch of column height myself. Good vid. Every now and then, remind us what CCVM stands for. 😂
Cooling Control Vapor Management?
For your reflux condenser, have you tried sticking copper scrubbers or SS scrubbers in amongst the coil? I do that with my CSST reflux coil and it works great.
Ditto on my MacBoka
Yeah, I have. It does seem to give me a little more cooling power.
Great vid mate , distilling definitely seems to be split down the middle in either pot or reflux , pot mode for me based on what I like to make , keen to see your boiler vid 🥃👌🏼
Yeah I have to activly force myself to do reflux stuff. I just gravitate towards the pot still lol
Hey Jessy, I'm currently building a ccvm based (almost entirely) off your design and success with it. What is the length of your column at the moment?
I had wondered about making the column more modular so may do that too. The only other thing I've done different is to have a 4" port in my keg (which I'm going to flip so I can use the 2" as a drain) with a reducer to 2" so I can upgrade the column if I want later on.
Its 60cm at the moment I think.
Jesse try one of the new four or five plate integrated bubble columns with a dephlegmator atop. You'll be amazed at how cool they work. I get easy 95% and have pretty much stopped using my traditional reflux column with its mesh and raschig rings. The price on these bubble columns has come down and makes them a serious consideration. I love mine.
Yeah cool man. I have 3 plates. Love using 1 or two to get straight to spirit run without a stripping run. Have not tried it in terms of super high ABV though. May need to get some more parts and give it a go.
Almost 70k. Jesse .. congrats
🎉
@@StillIt 7OK ..CONGRATS ..next up ..WORLD DOMINATION ...
ok...being a rookie...here a question....if you drop the reflux coil to block the vapors from leaving the side tube ( 100% reflux)...and the vapors eventually do get past the cooling coil at a high ABV then wouldn't it stand to reason that a small amount could possibly make it past the cooling coil up top? you could just wrap saran wrap around the top...saran wrap doesn't melt until 300 degrees? I live close to George here in Texas- FYI your vids are Kickass ...thanks brother!
Jesse, Big hello from British Columbia Canada. Thank you for all your great and helpful video's. I just built my own first keg still ( built the keg , bought the reflux column off Alliexpress). I'm just fermenting my very first stripping run. My question is ,, do you run cold water from the tap or through a ice chest threw your condenser ?
Couple questions what is your tap water temp? Are paying for water on a water bill? If your water from your tap is cold enough it will work fine. I am on a well and the 10 degree celcius water if plenty cold enough. The other consideration is I am not paying for the water so running the tap for 4 hours doesn't kill me either
Hi great Video I also like the Keg idea, may I ask I have seen that you use an element to warm up the Keg, what do you do with mash, do you have a false bottom, and I suppose you have a seperate setup for making Beer.
I’ve learned recently about primary and secondary fermentation. I read that you absolutely do not want to let your ferment go longer than 96 hours. Preferably 72-80 hours. This is due to secondary fermentation getting some bad esterification causing off flavors that can’t be separated via distillation. What are your thoughts?
Hey Jesse hope you see this . Did you find it hard brazing the ferrules onto the longest copper pipe? . I just get the idea the copper would act like a giant heatsink and not get hot enough at the bit you want to join . I have been reading on HD and a member said he had to pre heat the copper with a gas burner to get it hot enough even whilst using mapp gas . He was using 15% silver rods though . just curious how your experience was as I want to try brazing ferrules to a long pipe with 55% silver rods and mapp torch which is what you did in the brazing videos iirc .
Hey Jesse, sorry to rehash an old video. A newbie for across the ditch.
Does the product take off need to be a 90° T or can it be a 45° and save a bend further down?
Keep up the good work, and get a chuckle every time I hear a sheep in the background.
Cheers Gavin
Jesse, thanks for all you do for the distilling world. on your setup, in pot still mode, what's you run times? i updated mine over the winter months to a 2" column and a 3/4 over 1/2" liebig. I'm curious as the 2" vapor speed necked down to a 1/2" condenser. i know it's a very common setup. Any thoughts about, liebig v/s shotgun and the vapor speed. thanks again.
Question for you. Could you make a shotgun condenser and put it between your pot and the tee where the vapor turns down using it for a reflux still, just adjusting water flow to let steam get through?
Running in pot still mode, do you pack the column with the copper mesh still or let it run freely?
Hi Jesse, just looking to get into distilling, primary purpose is making Vodka. My question is I have a 2" x 3' column I was going to split in the middle, adding marbles and copper mesh in the upper half, do I really need the coil condenser and if I do, does it go above or below the shot gun condenser outlet? thanks
Another fantastic video, Jesse. What are your thoughts on centering rings?
How would you kit out a 50L+ reflux still if you had 2k budget. FYI boiling down 200L of vodka right now and 200L of rum by Saturday because the landlord says he will boot me if I don't stop distilling.
Moonshine distillers 26 gallon dual purpose stainless $900-950 shipped.
Another $600-700 for everything else.
Cooler, pumps, tubing, yeast, clamps, buckets, air locks, ect...ect...
$1500-1600 your in the 98 liter game.👍🥃
i want to see you take the condenser apart so we can understand it better...did you say there are 5 tubes inside? can't quite visualize it, so if you could give a peek inside, that would be very helpful. thanks Jesse! your videos are great info for getting into the craft
Sorry mate, it does not come apart. But check this video out :)
th-cam.com/video/fxblncdgw7Q/w-d-xo.html
Spot on bud!
How much passive reflux are you getting with that empty column?
Curious to know the tubing gauge and radius of the reflux coil you're using. I know you didn't video the build for that one but I'm wondering how you got those coils so tight. Did you fill it with water and freeze before coiling?
So, diameter of column is the variable that effects time for runs? I have a 2" column and it takes forever! I can pull 93.5% easily (keg still with 5500w 240v element) but it takes days! Even in pot still configuration (I add a sight glass and packing to reflux. Just a head for pot mode) it takes days. I really want to be able to do a full run in a day. Less if I can. Any suggestions?
Increasing the diameter of the column will not change the speed for a pot still run. But it will allow you to take product off faster for a reflux run. You will need a fair bit more power going into the still though,.
I run at barely 20%. I can put allot more in lol
Running at 20% is why it takes days! Dont be afraid to turn it up ! 75% it will be ready to go in an hr! I would run it at 75% untill it reached 150' then back it to 50% till it starts going then adjust accordingly to get the right output!
But w/ 5500 watts 240v you shouldn't have Any issues getting her up and pumping in an hr! Easy!
Dude. I think you’re going grey. Relax and have a drink. Nice vid. Robert
haha, the beard is going grey for sure.
jesse do you have a video on how to run your ccvm and temp settings , i am have a very hard time with my ccvm thx Dwain
What are your opinions if any in deflag vs coil?
Or a jacketed condenser... I have wonderful luck with mine.😊👍🥃
I really like the Dephlag with the plates. I prefer the coil for reflux column.
Have you ever had a problem with your spirits turning cloudy after you proof it any advice appreciated.
It does not happen to me too often (other than gin). If you are getting it you have something in either the water or the spirtit that was in solution that can not be in solution when mixed.
More often than not its oils in the spirit that are forced out of solution as the ABV drops. Dont proof quite so low if thats the case. Honestly, I dont think its a huge deal though.
Can you use a shoot gun condenser inbetween the column and the top T peace as a reflux condenser?
Thanks Jesse! How come you don’t use a thumper? I know there’s a million different ways.
I run mine very slow with a thumper and no stripping run.
Would you recommend a stripping run, then run without a thumper? What do you expect the results to be?
Jesse....where on earth did you source your copper pipe from?? Struggling to find anything 3" in NZ on Google....love the videos man!! Keep it up!
Go to reece plumbing 🤙
Does a larger column, surface area/speed of the run come into play at all for pot stills?
Nah, well. I mean it will give you "more" passive reflux. But its not going to be noticable in terms of the speed you can oftake.
Appreciate it, thank you.
Is there a calculator to figure out how long to make your column(per diameter) to get a certain % running in reflux?
Ok so what I’m hearing and also from some extra research, if you changed your column from a 2” to a 4” with a 4” port out of your keg and continued to use the same shotgun condenser it would not speed up a spirit run?
If anyone has a thought on this I would love to hear it.
Also learning heaps from your channel.
Yeah it would not change the speed of a stripping run. It wouldnt change the speed of a pot still run either. But it would change things up a lot for a reflux run.
Ok so first question is how much does a typical PATREON donate monthly? I would love to sponsor you however haven’t sponsored anyone and no idea where to start?
Second: Mark from Silverfox has an awesome still setup for under a $1000 CAN . Lots of versatility and looks pretty. Why not step up and pick up one of these? You deserve it with the amount of passion you put into your craft. I learn new techniques every time I watch/rewatch your vids. Thank you again, cheers 🍻
Go to chasethecraft.com it's where you can find out about the patron choices and other cool stuff.
I think being in New Zealand limits the availability of cheaper alternatives.
Here in the states there are infinitely better setups for under $1500.
Just a guess.🤷♂️
@@BillMcGirr A good guess
No offence intended but I am wondering why you think people would know who and where "Mark from Silverfox" is? I am curious.
@percy Phelps he is another youtuber / commercial distiller
Lol kegland digiboil pot still is my best friend!
Hay man have you ever thought about building a triple distiller some large company's use a huge triple distillery could you make a smaller version the Bacardi company gets 85%-90% right off the spigot
I bassicly copyed your design but i also built a diaganal lye pipe to increase coper contact and i built a second shot gun condencer that about 15 cm long that i can use as a reflux condencer or a hot water generator before the main condencer buy running water though it slowly and running water though the main condencer fast to finish knocking down the liquid
Don't get too hooked on copper. It really doesn't do anything. Pain to keep clean and expensive. Stainless steel is the best material.
Pretty sure that thing is going to be in the TH-cam museum in the year 2150:-)
Ha ha, good one, my friend!! Had a good laugh. Your cherry apple cider is my next project. I've made strawberry watermelon Brandy, blackberry shine, single malt, bourbon, sour mash as well as rum and Tequila. It's all been fun as well as tasty. Hoping to get down to Texas this fall or winter. My friend near Dallas/ Ft Worth has a hog problem and I have several solutions, lol. Maybe grill us some fresh pork while we shoot the shit!!
LOL!
I've copied your design. I would make 2 major changes. 1 Making the shotgun condensor is fiddly and wasn't really worth the effort I put into it, compared for what I can buy on aliexpress, so I would do that instead. 2 the condensor for controlling the still can be super fiddly and I would have definitely made it longer. I'm going to be running mine on a water pump soon instead of on the tap so that might fix the performance issues with it.
Do you ever passivate your stainless steel pot
i fill my colum with marbles. waiting for ceramic beans. believe it works like active reflux. but can also be tottaly wrong
Try 1/2" glass marbles. I found them to work better than anything else.
new personal recepies that u love please. :)
Hey guys I have build a couple of stills x mm" column x 20 will be perfect length
Nice video. I remember watching you build it. You mention a 4" column. To realize the additional speed would you need a 4" pot connection?
no. the pot connection size doesnt affect the efficiency of a bigger column
Nah, you can just use a converter. So I would go 2" ferrule on the top of the pot to 2"-4" converter, then the 4" colum, 4"-2" converter, line arm, shotgun.
sleepy eyes :)