Boiler?

[Tipsy]

Can any still users give me some advice on a boiler?

I'm building a valved reflux still and my option for a boiler would be a 30lt urn http://www.grainandgrape.com.au/product ... ts_id=8543

Or I could use my 50lt s/s pot and modify the lid and use my Turkey burner http://www.grainandgrape.com.au/product ... ts_id=6978

My question is what would be the better option?

If I use the Turkey burner, would I be able to turn it down low enough? I boil my wort on low now with the lid of the pot half off and it has a gentle rolling boil going.

If I go for the boiler how can I regulate the heat?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated

[lethaldog]

I would pesonally go for something like the urn, they are elemented and create a proper seal around the lid, i think this would be hard to do with a normal ss pot and you would probably get leakage.

[Tipsy]

Thanks for the reply Leigh,
I'm not too worried about the seal, I would make a bread dough to seal it and then clamp it.

I'm more worried about the temperature and having a still that runs too fast.

What sort of syill do you use?

[lethaldog]

i bought mine, its a super reflux, have a look on some of the homebrew sites, ive seen them advertised as 3 in 1 fermenters or something along those lines and i remember seeing them on the country brewer website, i cant really comment on the pot on the burner cos ive never done it i just know that what i have works a treat and is very easy to use.

[DavidP]

I'd use a keg.

[Tipsy]

I've been thinking about that. Just wondering how to aquire one.

[Tipsy]

Well I found a keg. It was easier than I thought.

David, how did you couple the copper to the keg?

[lethaldog]

Well I found a keg. It was easier than I thought.

David, how did you couple the copper to the keg?

Think twice about using copper for your setup, i have only heard bad reports and some even say that the end product comes out almost blue, cant be healthy.

[Tipsy]

All the reding I've been doing suggest copper is the best material to use. Apparently it helps draw some impurities from the spirit (this is debated though)

The consensus on one distilling forum is not to use any types of plastic.

Having no experience though, I could be totaly wrong

[Tipsy]

I wonder if the blue could be from old copper that gets that blue/green build up. I'm pretty sure that is poisonous.

My copper will be kept nice and clean

[DavidP]

Well I found a keg. It was easier than I thought.

David, how did you couple the copper to the keg?

Think twice about using copper for your setup, i have only heard bad reports and some even say that the end product comes out almost blue, cant be healthy.

Copper is the best to use!!!! If you are using used/old copper it would pay to clean it up properly before using it. And to do a cleaning run or two to clean out any left over flux or solder from the build. I ran water through mine first then alcohol and then more water before I did a run where I kept anything for drinking.
While you have heard only bad reports, I have only heard good reports.
You might want to do some research and reading before you warn people off copper. On the distilling forum it's basically said that if it's copper or stainless or glass it's ok to use. Copper is tried and true!


For coupling the copper to the keg.
I flanged out the copper pipe by heating it and hammering it, you'll need to flange it so it can sit on the lip of the keg, and then put a stainless sirclip around the flange and fill it with solder so the tri clamp has something to bite down on. You'd need to file down the solder to get the angle right to fit the tri clamp. a 2 inch tri clamp is what you need. Mine didn't make a perfect seal(because my flanging skills suck) so I made a gasket with balsa wood.

[lethaldog]

While you have heard only bad reports, I have only heard good reports.
You might want to do some research and reading before you warn people off copper.

Keep your hat on i did say HEARD not that i have done scientific research!! Not to mentiom that i usually find my resources pretty reliable but hey do as you please!!

[DavidP]

While you have heard only bad reports, I have only heard good reports.
You might want to do some research and reading before you warn people off copper.

Keep your hat on i did say HEARD not that i have done scientific research!! Not to mentiom that i usually find my resources pretty reliable but hey do as you please!!

you may as well have the correct information...atleast for your own good.
do 5 mins of reading on here. Copper is safe.
http://www.homedistiller.org/

[Tipsy]

For coupling the copper to the keg.
I flanged out the copper pipe by heating it and hammering it, you'll need to flange it so it can sit on the lip of the keg, and then put a stainless sirclip around the flange and fill it with solder so the tri clamp has something to bite down on. You'd need to file down the solder to get the angle right to fit the tri clamp. a 2 inch tri clamp is what you need. Mine didn't make a perfect seal(because my flanging skills suck) so I made a gasket with balsa wood.

Thanks for that, one more question, where do you find those tri clamps?

[DavidP]

not sure where you would find one in your state but mine was from a valve and fitting place. T&S Valves & Fittings.
only cost $12. It says on the sheet Iv'e got that it's Triclover 316 Stainless Steel, and it's the 2 inch that you need.

http://www.tsvalves.com.au/

[Tipsy]

Thanks