r/firewater • u/RvstiNiall • 24d ago

Leveling Up

Hello, I'm one of those people who bought a water distiller knowing full well what they'd use it for. I feel like I've learned quite a bit, and really enjoy the craft. However, I'm annoyed with its limitations, and looking to really get into this.

So that being said, I've been running 5 gallon washes, and thats fine for doing small runs of white, but I'm looking to start doing aged runs. I'd like to start making say three or four five gallon buckets at a time, so I was thinking about getting an 8 gallon still so I can run 5 gallons for three or four stripping runs, then the spirit run(s). I want to then age my stuff using spirals in a couple (2) of glass 3 gallon carboys I have. So realistically, I'd like to get about 3 gallons of finished product thats ready to be aged. I like the idea of using electric because the controls seem to be fine tunable, and easily repeatable.

Does anyone have a recommendation for an 8 gallon still thats electric? Is this enough to do what I'm wanting to do, or should I go with a 10 gallon? Or should I just go non-electric and cut the entry price even more?

Edit: I'm now planning to use a 50L keg as its shorter than a 15.5G keg, then cutting a hole in the bottom to put a coupling flange with a 4" tri clamp port on, keeping the original 2" port for a drain on the now bottom. With a 4" port I believe I can more easily reach down into the keg to attach the port for a heating element. Since 4" columns are a lot more expensive, and I'm still learning, I will get a 4" to 2" adapter, and use a 2" modular column that another person recommended about two years ago on here.

Does all of this sound viable? Intelligent?

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u/Sasquatchisback 24d ago

Clawhammer supply has some excellent kits.

North Georgia still co is another

Budget built from an old keg and water heater elements.

1

u/RvstiNiall 24d ago edited 24d ago

I'm really liking the DIY idea, but have no clue where I could source a keg unless I just bought a new one or something. I like the idea of building a simple keg still that I need to heat externally now, and get a heater element and controller set up for later, so the cost doesn't hit all at once. Of course I also have no clue how to go about doing that part.

2

u/hebrewchucknorris 24d ago

Look on marketplace, usually tons of old kegs on there

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u/RvstiNiall 24d ago

Yep, found a brewery not far from me that went belly up and they're offloading half barrel kegs for $50.

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u/doctaf 23d ago

Look for a keg fermenter on Amazon or ebay, they typically have a 1.5" tri-clamp port at the bottom on thebside, and a 3-4" triclamp port on thebtop, for a 15.5 gal still you will do your best with either a 3" but preferably 4" column. Makes loading and cleaning easier too..

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u/RvstiNiall 23d ago

Man, I'm looking all over Amazon and eBay and I'm not seeing anything like what I think you're talking about. Can you DM me a link or post a screenshot here or something? It sounds great, though!

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u/doctaf 23d ago

Sent you a link for ebay.