Still head condenser the most important part of any still is. And while it is hoped that the still will be used for legitimate purposes, always keep in mind that if you decide to build and use the still to produce ethyl alcohol then, in the u. Spirits today are produced with reflux stills that operate on a continuous basis. In this tutorial im going to teach you how to make a homemade reflux still which is also known as a column still. Bokakob created a series of reflux still design drawings that were widely circulated after they.
Fix any leaks by resoldering, or use hightemperature sealant. If you want to build a pure ethanol still that can also be unpacked and run as a pot still, the boka seems to be the most popular route. Moonshine still plans learn to moonshine how to make. Get a good book or two with illustrations of how to build and operate a still. This homemade still is comparable in quality to most professionally designed stills like this 8 gallon stainless steel reflux still but will cost you less to build what are the benefits of a reflux still over a pot still a reflux still can produce high proof alcohol in a. Posts about how to build a reflux still written by stilltutorial15 stilltutorial15 with gas prices rising every day, making your own ethanol to power your vehicle has become a very attractive alternative fuel source that can be made from corn, sugar and many other sources. The manufacture of moonshine illicit whiskey in the mountains is not dead. We cover copper plating, building a carbon filter, and soldering and polishing the. The bokakob reflux still was originally designed by alex bokakob and.
A complete guide to moonshine, still plans, home distilling. The pot still is a mainstay in kentucky, where many of the best moonshine and homemade whiskey recipes originated. Nov 12, 20 this is a basic description of what you need to build yourself a copper reflux condenser still collumn and how to pack the collumn with copper mesh and ceramic saddles. Yup, thats the original bokakob reflux design from the wiki. While fundamentally the same as the external valved reflux still, the internal valved reflux still is a variation in which the forcing of reflux is brought inside the main column. Reflux still design moonshine still moonshine still. This article is courtesy of elliot wiggintons foxfire series.
How to make a reflux still complete plans to build a. How to set up a reflux apparatus introduction reflux is a chemistry lab technique that heats a solution, produces vapor, and then condenses and returns the outgoing vapor into its original mixtures. Attach the cooling water output tube to the top of the reflux chamber and run it to wherever you want it to drain. Your super reflux still comes complete with 250ml of still spirit ceramic saddles 1. Moonshine and whiskey stills have been used in the u. Building a world class home distillation apparatus the free. This design allows for greater efficiency and versatility than a dedicated pot or column still. A reflux still is effective in creating a flavorless and odorless product. A visit to the library, and some reading about the distillation process is a good place to start. Opening the tap too much us a sure fire way of raising the column top temperature as well, you need a good reflux ratio. Step 1 you will need to trace the below layout on your sheet of copper. Fit the condenser to the domed lid by securely tightening the nut on the underside of the lid metal to metal to the reflux condensor. This still is popular with many novices for its simplicity to build and operate, while being able to.
Packing a distillation column with copper scrubbers, raschig rings, or glass distilling beads is the easiest way to increase the final proof of moonshine whiskey while making it taste better. As a final word, if you decide to build a still like this, you will be on your own. See more ideas about moonshine still plans, moonshine still and home brewing. For producing fuel ethanol, a column reflux still is the best equipment to use. The term reflux is very widely used in industries that utilize largescale distillation columns and fractionators such as petroleum refineries, petrochemical and chemical plants, and natural gas processing plants in that context, reflux refers to the portion of the overhead liquid product from a distillation column or fractionator that is returned to the. Situate the still on a firm heat resistant base close to a. Its components are a firebox, a pot which is a tank of some sort, a pipe packed with a material which will leave 6090% air space, and a condenser.
Read as much as you can from a wide variety of sources. The construction of this still is relatively simple and by following the detailed plan below you shouldnt have any problems building this homemade still at home. The top end consist of several components including the reflux column, the cooling tubes, and the condenser. The result is a better, sleeker appearance, but this does not substantially alter the performance or basic operation of the column. Assembling a moonshine still column running a column still. This still plan was created to fit on a 36 by 48 sheet of copper keeping the cost low for you guys. How to set up a reflux apparatus sites at penn state.
You also still have the option to use it as a more traditional moonshine still by attaching the top portion of the column directly to the lid of the kettle and running it as a pot still. Download his site and the still plans, moonshine still. This still is a basic reflux still, and is a nice intro into reflux stills, as more complex reflux stills are hard to build and wil. Listen to the group even if you dont like the answers. The individuals who are interested to know how to co. Reflux still plans pdf the pages that follow contain a stepbystep guide to building a relatively. Also working on a reflux head for this design so you can have more options when distilling. Unfortunately, there isnt a whole lot of really good information about building a first class personal still out there.
This is a basic description of what you need to build yourself a copper reflux condenser still collumn and how to pack the collumn with copper mesh and ceramic saddles. How to make a moonshine still with free plans for home distilling the oldfashioned, traditional way. Hjl earned college degrees in engineering, metallurgy, and education and has worked as technical editor for five international technical journals. This is fitted to the hole in the lid where the bung and airlock were. Copper moonshine still pot distiller 1,32 gal 5 l distillery best gift. Hugh james latimer hjl is the managing editor of survivalblog, the original blog for prepping and survival for when shtf, where he manages the blogs daytoday operations, applying his diverse technical, management, and editorial expertise. In this instructable i will show you how to build a reflux still which can be used for producing high proof alcohol. How to make a moonshine still stepbystep survival life. A reflux is a lot different in operation than a pot still, you want a lot more stable heat to get the fractions happening nicely in the column and then just draw off the 20 or 30% you want. To figure out how to build a still, the obliged materials are as takes after. Pro series ii reflux distillation columns by brewhaus allow you to produce a cleaner, higherproof distillate such as vodka or fuel alcohol. Heres a screen shot of my cad design ill be posting pdf template and ebook soon.
For the examination to be led utilizing the still, the parts required are. Before you start check the laws in your local area, some places you cant even own a still let alone use it to make a drinkable product, check it out first. You also still have the option to use it as a more traditional moonshine still by attaching the top portion of the column directly to. Nov 29, 2014 this is one of its biggest advantages over a pot still. I want to build a reflux column i have done a lot of looking around and research on still plans and i came across so many thats its a bit over overwelmeing.
Apr 21, 2006 i dont use alcohol or any other drugs, but i am fascinated by the reflux distillation process and its potential uses for fuel, disinfectant, chemicalformulary processes, et cetera following a collapse. Its a basic pot still that also includes a column, which may be filled with packing material to induce natural reflux. Valved reflux still building the still head this section deals with the construction of the valved reflux still condenser assembly which is incorporated within a still head. The result was everything id hoped for, and a considerable improvement over a crude device id once made back in my undergraduate days that consisted of a secondhand pressure cooker and. Mooshine still how its made bootleggerstill com youtube. Built a reflux still for home distillation diy and home. This still is a basic reflux still, and is a nice intro into reflux stills, as more complex reflux stills are hard to build and will cost a lot. 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. In this section, he explains the different types of reflux stills and why he prefers. Before doing this activity, students should have experience using boiling chips. Learn how a reflux still works in this brief introductory video to distilling and making moonshine. It still was developed in the late 19th century as an upgrade of the pot still that had been used for centuries. New improved copper reflux condenser still collumn youtube. It is directed at anyone who may want to know more about the subject, for hobbyists, tinkers, pure water enthusiasts, survivors, and perhaps amateur wine and beer makers.
A reflux still column works because of the returning distillate which combines with the plates or packing. Reflux stills are used in the manufacture of petroleum and chemical products. Boka reflux still how to build the bokakob boka or bok for short is the common name for a dual slantplate single column inline reflux still designed by alex bokakob in 2001. Reflux is widely used in undergraduate organic chemistry labs. The boka reflux still is a simple and effective design perfect for anyone looking for a small stove top still. This is a basic description of what you need to build yourself a copper reflux condenser still collumn and how to pack the collumn with. Place 1 or 2 rolls of mesh up into the top part of the tower.
This homemade still is comparable in quality to most professionally designed. As long as the operation of a still remains so financially rewarding, it will never. Towards the end of 2017, i finally finished the reflux column still id been working on for a year, and that had been in various stages of planning for much longer than that. Fit the condenser to the domed lid and tighten securely. Before you start check the laws in your local area, some places you cant even own a still let alone use it to make a drinkab. According to public opinion, its a great still for beginners because its easy to build at home. Building a valved reflux column still a step by step guide.
Jun 15, 2014 a secret look inside the moonshine still shop. Heres how to build a pot still at home global flavors. Attach a crossover tube from the top of the condenser to the bottom of the reflux chamber. If you want to create a potent neutral ethanol, using a reflux still is advisable. Today we have a multitude of designs including reflux and fractionating columns, flute columns and many variations of those. Building a keg based reflux still using the bokakob design, with some modifications courtesy of the distilling community. Building a valved reflux column still a step by step. More about n1cod3mus building a keg based reflux still using the bokakob design, with some modifications courtesy of the distilling community. If your looking to make a high proof flavorless moonshine then a reflux column still is what you want to make. Add the still spirits ceramic saddles to the condenser making sure that the wire mesh is sitting flat in the condenser chamber. In a vapor management reflux still the vapor travels up the packed column where it is divided at point a.
Official coventry university website with information about undergraduate degrees, postgraduate degrees, student recruitment, the academic schools, research, services and facilities, news and events, and university publications. It is packed with raschig rings described later to provide a large area condensation surface inside the column, and it has two cooling tubes that pass water through the vapors that rise through the. This file contains 28 pages that should be printed. The vapor at the reflux condenser is condensed and the liquid is sent back down to the column in tube d. Heres an example of how such a still might be constructed. The reflux still is a piece of equipment invented as a distillation tool. If you plan to build the internal reflux model, you may skip this section by clicking here. Unlike pot stills, reflux stills are designed to create higher proof with little to no flavor alcohol. First up youll need to go out and buy the following materials to build the reflux still. The design described in this article is referred to as hybrid column still. The middle section, the reflux column, is 36 long, with an architectural zigzag on detail 1. Mar 9, 2017 in this tutorial im going to teach you how to make a homemade reflux still which is also known as a column still. This tutorial gives a detailed materials list and instructions to walk you through each step of the process. Copper distiller suits for flavouring already prepared alcohol.
Do quite a few sugar washes before attempting grainmollasses type washes. One will additionally require a cooking thermometer. The easiest equilibrium still to design and build is the packed column. Some vapor goes directly to the reflux condenser b and some goes to the gate valve c. Building a home distillation apparatus 3 where to start. We will soon have plans to build a moonshine still available. Moonshine stills reflux still page 1 brewhaus america.
Distillation column packing for higher proof clawhammer. If your build is simple or complex, we can help you get the right parts for your project. Typical results can increase production as high as 50% over. If you want to build a pure ethanol still that can also be unpacked and run as a pot still, the boka seems to. Sure, there are lots of commercial distillers, beer and wine equipment suppliers, discussion groups, moonshining stories. Building the reflux column home distillation buffalo. The reflux column is the tube that runs straight up from the top of the boiler. In a pot still, if the tube leading from the boiler to the condenser, the lyne arm, is angled upward, more liquid will have a chance to condense and flow back into the boiler leading to increased reflux. An experienced plumberwelder can build the entire still in a.
Mar 27, 2020 the reflux column is the tube that runs straight up from the top of the boiler. The still was originally designed with a fairly small reflux column to sit atop a stovetop boiler, and has seen significant modifications and improvements over the. Building a home distillation apparatus 1 foreword the pages that follow contain a step by step guide to building a relatively sophisticated still. The geometry of the still also plays a role in determining how much reflux occurs. Your pot still has a capacity of a bit more than 1 gallon, which is perfect for many small distillation projects. Please note that the actual full height of the still is 64 inches dimensions are shown at the far left. Distillation column packing for higher proof increase final proof by packing still column copper mesh, raschig rings, and glass beads. We cover copper plating, building a carbon filter, and soldering and polishing the copper. The column is made from 2 copper tubing, is about three feet long, and has a thermometer mounted in the top cap. How to build a boka reflux still free plan with step by. In the meantime, we have diy kits for several different stills.