What temperature should you run a reflux still?

If, for example, 90°C / 194°F is the optimal head temperature for your reflux still column to collect alcohol, if the temperature increases during the distillation, the distiller can increase the reflux ratio and thereby increase the amount of ABV being sent over to the product condenser.

How do I build a reflux column still?

Building The Reflux Column of the Still

  1. Step 1 – Drill a 3/8 ” hole in the top of the 2″ end cap. Fit the rubber grommet and thermometer into the hole to make sure they fit.
  2. Step 2 – Place 3″ long piece of 2″ copper pipe into top of 2 x 2 x. 1 ½” tee and solder in place.
  3. Place Cap on top of 3″ copper pipe.

Is a reflux still the same as a column still?

A POT still simply collects and condenses the alcohol vapors that come off the boiling mash. A REFLUX or PLATED still does multiple distillations in one single pass, by having some packing in a column between the condenser & the pot, and allowing some of the vapor to condense and trickle back down through the packing.

What is the purpose of a reflux still?

Unlike pot stills, reflux stills are designed to create higher proof with little to no flavor alcohol. Inside the still is a fractioning column that allows the reflux of liquid to help condense the rising vapor and increase the efficiency of distilling, thus increasing purity.

What is the best reflux still design?

cooling tube
Probably the most well-known and still most effective forced reflux still designs is the “cooling tube” design. In this design, tubes run directly through the column and cold water is run through them. The reason that this design is so effective is because the cooling lines are in direct contact with the rising vapor.

How long should a reflux column be?

The reflux column is the tube that runs straight up from the top of the boiler. The column is made from 2″ copper tubing, is about three feet long, and has a thermometer mounted in the top cap.

What is the best type of still?

Overall, copper is better for distilling spirits because the material removes sulfides from distillate, which produces a better tasting and smelling final product. In fact, a stainless pot with a copper column, or a 100% stainless still packed with copper mesh, are both excellent options for producing spirits.

Do I need to make cuts when using a reflux still?

A more complex still with a chamber called the ‘reflux’ condenser, where steam is filtered and some of the unwanted elements are returned to the boiling vessel. You don’t need to make ‘cuts’ on this type of still (only discarding the foreshots).

What is a Boka still?

The Boka Reflux still is a simple and effective design perfect for anyone looking for a small stove top still. This design uses Liquid Management (LM) to control reflux and so it is classified as a LM column reflux still.

How is reflux controlled in a cooling management design?

A Still using cooling management design has a reflux condenser (A) before the take off port (B). This condenser is usually in the column of the still and reflux is controlled by a water valve (D) hence the “cooling management design”. (see illustration below) This type of design is difficult to fine tune reflux within the column .

How does reflux work in a stills condenser?

As more water flows through tap B, less water flows through the reflux condenser, and vapor begins to pass by without being condensed and returned to the column as reflux. This vapor reaches the product condenser, where it is condensed as product (at whatever temperature you choose!)

Which is the most effective forced reflux still design?

….Probably the most well-known and still most effective forced reflux still designs is the “cooling tube” design. In this design, tubes run directly through the column and cold water is run through them. The reason that this design is so effective is because the cooling lines are in direct contact with the rising vapor.

Which is an example of a cm reflux still?

This condenser is usually in the column of the still and reflux is controlled by a water valve (D) hence the “cooling management design”. (see illustration below) This type of design is difficult to fine tune reflux within the column . An example of this design is this CM reflux still plan.

By Guidelines