A Simple Upgrade For My Favorite Still

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My favourite still setup does it all . . . almost. I can't really use it to make vodka. Today I'm going to change that!
The takeaway is that when it comes to reflux stills, more packing height or more plates equals higher abv. So lets add 60cm of packed spool.
4" stainless spool with Tri clamps:
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2" stainless spool with tri clamps:
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I often include affiliate links in my videos and descriptions. This will not change the price for you at all, but the seller will give me a small kickback. Cool eh?

[@sirclemeni1]

6:40 process engineer here, if you want to take a deeper dive into the theory, check out the HEPT concept for a packed column design. it gives you the packing height equivalent to one theoretical plate, so you can estimate the theoretical number of plates for your packed section.

[@user-ct6me6bj7d]

Greetings from Russia. To produce vodka, you need the most fortified alcohol. To do this, our moonshiners use columns with a nozzle - a spiral-prismatic nozzle. With a column height of 1 meter and a column diameter of 2" you get 96.6% alcohol content.

[@TheNumbers400]

I would love to see a comparison to a run without the plates, just the packed sections. It would give us a great comparison to the effect of plates vs packing

[@daveo3122]

Just did this 2 weeks ago, using a high accuracy alcometer, not the normal short ones. 2 inch column with just 4 platws - 92% ABV at the parrot. Same column but with 550 mm of SPP packing - 92% ABV at the parrot. I had been hoping to match the T500 with it's 95% ABV that I get.

[@dack4545]

You can get 94% out of a. T500 No need at all for fancy plates and extra column that extra 1% is a whole lot more time and Power bill

[@WindosNZ]

Love the casual '"tutu'ed" with the power'. The amount of times I've had to explain what that word means to non-Kiwis because it's baked into my soul.

[@StillIt]

Hahaha didn't even think of it when I said it but your so right

[@timknotts4752]

Love your videos. Keep up the great work. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[@lukejosselyn7706]

Great video as always Jesse. I run a 4" x 4 plated column with a 500mm copper mesh packed section & consistently hit 93-95%, it's amazing how much that packed section bumps up that last little bit 🤘🏻

[@mrd3863]

95.6 abw, 97.2 abv is azeotrope. Those alcohol hydrometers are still measuring density which is weight, not volume.

[@StillIt]

Actually that is a very good point!

[@MereCashmere]

Thank you for saving me from having to post this. Too much BS on distilling youtube

[@stevealford230]

YOU'RE azeotrope! I occasionally break out the 3 Angstrom molecular sieves and go for full anhydrous... just to do it.

[@madjaffa]

It seems a bit silly that a proof and trail would be in the units not commonly used and that the units are not mentioned anywhere on the meter or packaging that it comes in. Is it possible that modern meters are in abv?

[@themisanthrope4646]

​@@StillIthey Jesse, My wife and I were wondering if you could touch on the Vevor still you used and reviewed a while ago. The "football still" as it's otherwise known as. We're looking at getting one because they seem to have a decent record for beginners and simple hobbyists, like us. Particularly, we're curious about the operation of their "rectifying tower." We understand that it's supposed to allow for the bleed off of methanol and the removal of other contaminants, essentially acting like a reflux column (we think). But, we thought that we would throw the idea out to you to produce a very detailed video on its operation and a few of the finer details for everyone. We looked before making this suggestion and can tell you that there isn't much out there. Keep on chasing!

[@CelticReeperOutdoors]

I love the shirts, I've ordered about a dozen so far, just waiting on the coins that you set on your glasses. I used my T-500 with the reflux unit and my final run came out to be around 96% and I made some wild berry Brandy and brought the ABV down to a relatively smooth 35% and she came out so good, you have a great Thanksgiving and thanks for all your instructional knowledge

[@Andre2199CE]

Great video, Jesse! And thank you, your videos are packed with great information! Also, I'm one who has two drawers of the Into the AM T-shirts🙃😅 and I love them I wear them daily🥃🥃🥃🥃💯

[@dimash244]

Been doing that way for years 😊 Have 3" 4 plate flute I've built myself and 24" packed above forth plate 😁

[@user-vf5td3lp4f]

It would be awesome if you did a review on several cheap vector still , mostly interested in a review of their electric still and what you think of them.

[@EpicValleysStill]

Another great vid Jesse. thank you.

[@staticman1263]

I have the converter kit for the T500. as well as 2 2in site glasses great for adding packing or as a botanical basket. 100% worth it.

[@TimSlowey]

While struggling to lower my ABV to under 80% with a column still, I found the actual column height has a major impact in ABV.

[@stevealford230]

Yup... the temp is cooler as you get higher, causing water to fall out of vapor through natural reflux, while the alcohol stays vapor and you get higher ABV.

[@johnseamons7455]

Hey Jesse, I was running 4 inch 4 plate bubbler with a 500mm packed section using scoria. (Getting 92%). Got 20mm scoria from Bunnings and cracked it to about 10mm. You really need to clean clean clean as its pretty dirty. Very easy to clean just boil it after every couple of runs. I must try it in the 2 inch copper still one day. I did put a copper roll in the column before and after the scoria as it was stainless steel. Cheers John 10:21

[@aarnaarn1904]

You are da man. Thanks for cutting your vid down to 12 min.. You use the word azeotrope, must know your craft...I [living in tropics] use T500 system,, 7kg sugar dissolved in 18-20 litre tapwater, one pouch heat yeast, produce 3.5 litre 93-94% abv. after 5-7 days. Whats not to like. Cheers

[@ScottBryant-wi7gb]

tHANKS FOR THE NEW CONTENT.

[@brem2087]

I used to get 95% out of a 12% sugar wash using a 60 litre stainless keg 2 1800watt elements (turn one off when up to temperature) with 3" Stainless collum full of broken Glass as packing about 800 high with 3mm plates with holes holding the glass in. 4 12mm tube's evenly spaced welded trough the 3" tube sideways. so tap water would run slowly through the condenser out then garden hose loop down trough the 4 sideways tube's welded trough one side out the other side of the collum using garden hose to loop down to the next tube cooling glass around the tubes then out to grass or sink. Basically creating 4 condensers inside your collum as well as your normal condenser running the same water.. hopefully makes sense. Would like to see you test one. Kind regards Australia

[@danielostman5805]

I have a home built column still with a 27L pot. With a 20% wash the first 2,5L is about 96% then it drops down, so i usually get an avarge of 90-93%. I have packed my column all the way with ceramic cylinders and have a deflag at the top. The problem is that i cant control the power to it properly, i can only choose between 1kw or 3kw. So if i could control the power a bit better i might get better results

[@slobberinrocco3247]

That was really good.

[@MrJhchrist]

FYI azeotrope is 97.2% ABV the 95.6 is close to the alcohol by mass measurement and calling it ABV was just an error someone made on the internet decades ago and everyone got stuck on. See the "azeotrope" or "azeotrope tables" wikipedia pages for easy reference, or any modern academic resources. Also, you'd get higher proof using a 3 inch packed column instead of 4 inch, 3 inch is still more than capable of handling the same throughput as the 4" plates which are limited more by their plumbing than anything else, but a 3" packed section will have a better height to diameter ratio which will yield higher strength output.

[@louisjansenvanrensburg8718]

Kudos… Love these video’s! I am super keen to buy a still to start my journey into the craft. I am considering a plated still because of the modularity but I have a question. I understand the size of the column makes a difference to the speed of distillation but does it make a difference to the quality of the distillate?

[@stefanleijon9637]

Really nice one mate! I have been longing for you to touch on this topic :) What is the total height of the column including the sightglasses and plates? And do you think it would be possible to replace those with just straight packed pipe as well and still hit azeotrope? Or should you go for an even longer column if you dont have plates? Thx mate and have a kickass week :)

[@kimodland]

Do a bloopers video. Yes and damn you for only t-shirts I am buying.

[@MinersMoonshine1977]

Just last week I distilled 200 litres of mash and got 90% abv from my still I have 3 bubbler plates and I also use a thumper once all up I got 60 litres of alcohol including tails then I redistilled it in my smaller still which is just a reflux still and I got 98% abv temperature was 19.5 * C so I tempered it to 50% and made vodka etc. I use my reflux still as a “polisher” to really bump up the abv..

[@Miata822]

Yep, "playing Lego" with the modular still I built (starting with a Vevor) has become addictive. Experiments like this are a hoot. BUT, I have been running into way too many copper scrubbies that were not pure copper. Some are copper plated steel, some had an alloy (Maybe zinc? Test strips didn't find lead), or something like plastic coated copper. All said they were "Pure Copper" so for now I use sheet copper lining a SS spool along with glass beads and SPP.

[@michaeldebruij1047]

I have about 5kg of sheet copper in my column. Assuming you mean the woven copper rolls? How do I go about testing it? And what's the best way to pack it?

[@Miata822]

@@michaeldebruij1047 The bad copper I have found was in the scrubbing pads similar to what Jesse was using. Note how some of the ones he was shaking around seemed springy, resilient. Those are the ones I found to have a steel or iron core. First I notice an off flavor, metallic. After washing with citric acid 2-3 times they grew progressively darker. Left in water overnight they left a thin film of rust in the bowl. Woven copper rolls that I got from Amazon did not discolor in a stripping run so I looked closely and noticed a thin clear coating. Holding a sample over flame it first smoked slightly then the fibers suddenly shriveled up as aluminum wires do. The ones I thought were an alloy gave the spirit that off smell and taste and the pads themselves had the same odor even after washing and an acid rinse. Only in the last year has this become a real problem for me. I plan to add a bundle of copper pipe inside the 2 foot spool that I lined with copper sheet. I may cut up a length of pipe into small pieces to add to the SPP & beads. I would rather just find good copper mesh like I used a few years ago.

[@MysticDonBlair]

🔴 Bubble plate on top, vs packed column on top… would there be any difference???

[@desertriderukverun1002]

SPP works better than scrubbies. Expensive for a 4” column, but they really do the trick. I run 4 plates and 1m column, get a nice clean 95% product

[@diverpatf]

What about insulating the column where the packing is, I believe recalling something from one of George's videos about maintaining temperature in the column during reflux

[@FrontYardGardener]

I wonder how much the extensions would increase the ABV without the packing? The vapor should cool more with a taller column causing higher ABV without packing.

[@stuartpowell449]

Great video Jesse and nice equipment. I miss Andre and all of the Doctor gradus team. He made really good videos with their well made equipment. I truly hope that they are all well and safe. Happy Thanksgiving from America to you all and keep the videos coming .

[@ptbelttactics]

Your hopes won't bring them back from the dead.

[@stuartpowell449]

​@@ptbelttactics How do you know this ? That's a hell of a thing to say without any facts to back it up.

[@dannylee9138]

Think about a candy cane Christmas moonshine or sipping cream for Santa

[@doodwasalreadytaken]

Ive been crafting for only a year, just got myself a copper parrot as my latest upgrade. Ive been using the copper scrubbies in my collumn extension from the get go, i thought this was the norm?

[@elberttanner6189]

Have you ever considered writing a simple Cookbook, nothing fancy just recipes and methods. I have a title for 2 percent that you might like.

[@galvestonbragg9718]

I would be keen as on buying a converter kit for the T500 off ya Jessie, please get some for chasethecraft. Cheers mate.

[@if7142]

A kit would be great.

[@Edgunsuk]

im ok with 94 from my t 500 but ide be interested in a kit just for kicks, do you knock that back to 40% with distilled water or you just use tap water ?

[@isto1661]

I'm curious, Jesse. Rather than use those copper scrubbies, wouldn't it be better to use, copper mesh that comes on a 50'' roll? if you rolled up say, 3 of those, you would have 15" packed in your column (the roll I have is 5" wide). I hate those scrubbies most of them are just copper plated and they are aluminum in actual fact. You probably wouldn't even need to use the rashing rings after that. Just a George thing about packing your still and creating that blockage in your still!

[@TheMilkman710]

I came here to tell you that I am finally starting my first whisky using your safety net recipe as a loose guide. Instead of white sugar I am using DME as my safety net. So technically, I can still call it an all grain mash?? Maybe?

[@viske00]

I also have a lot of stuff from doctor gradus, it's great quality!

[@user-cj6df3iz2j]

Well, I learned a hard HARD lesson today, if you got a super starchy sugar head and no malt on hand ....DO NOT RUN IT ANYWAY . burnt the crap out of my pot still 😂 now I see why no one uses corn grits for a sugar head , wish I had some malt though would've been a ton to convert . I kid you not , it was gravy when I opened the lid 😂 made some decent corn charcoal though 😂😅 just about ruined my pan , glad I realized and shut it down when I did . I thought, well can't be that bad to run it anyway , ps. It was that bad 😅.

[@tissuepaper9962]

10:50 azeotrope is 97.2% ABV, the 95.6% figure you've quoted is the azeotrope when you measure by mass. Still impressive, just want to throw that correction out there for people who are still learning.

[@bolken00]

no. "Ethanol and water form an azeotropic mixture at an ethanol molecular percentage of ∼91% (∼96% by volume), which prohibits ethanol from being further purified via distillation." ...without vacuum or other methods removing more water, the highest u get is 95.6%. please stop spreading misinformation and read up b4 u "help" someone get trapped in some brosciense bs that keeps them from achieving their goals.

[@burnair1608]

Jesse just curious why you didn't leave the onion in the column as it a form of reflux correct? Or not?

[@alistairreece5832]

Probably a stupid question, but have you done a video on the impact of filling a gin basket for an AirStill with copper scrubbies?

[@galvestonbragg9718]

Pretty sure he hasn't (think ive watched all his vids) but would surely be beneficial for a vodka run. Great question i reckon alisair.

[@kaspark8887]

I'm pretty new to this. Why do you need that high persentage, if you're watering it down anyway? Is it to get a clearer taste? Hi from Estonia btw

[@SketchyAussie]

I have a T500 and am fairly happy with the boiler itself (after adding a power controller). What I want to do is replace the average column, but the question I can't seem to find an answer to is can I extend the width beyond 2 inches, or is that a waste of time? I understand I'd need to make it taller as well, but I want to increase the speed of my runs without sacrificing quality. If I increased it to 3 or even 4 inch column, am I limited by the 2kw boiler or is that just fine to do? I don't really want to go beyond 2kw if possible as I'd need to get special power plugs and thicker wiring run in.

[@modernbrewlife]

why would you pack the column? to slowly and cool the liquid?

[@MadJix]

I was hittin 93 easily everytime with my keg still. Just had to run low and slow

[@ansleyseuraj9057]

Jessy Have you ever tried distilling coffee and if you did what was the result.

[@GREGB8801]

And the monster continues to grow 🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@VanillaAttila]

Do those copper scrubbies contain any heavy metals?

[@thebeaglebeat3615]

Lol yes 99% copper

[@mulletjocks]

“Pure copper” scrubbies have traces of alloyed impurities in the sub 1% range still, but it’s total non issue taste wise. A vinegar run first time will strip them of processing contaminates. Main thing is be satisfied what you have are indeed copper and not copper coated, or just a bad, copper ones with a coating applied. Look up tests for confirming copper metal.

[@VanillaAttila]

Not worried about taste, but more so of any toxins though I'd presume they don't get through to the final distillate? What if you stuck Lead in your dephleg I wonder?@@mulletjocks

[@mulletjocks]

@@VanillaAttila Don't do that. Please, don't do that.

[@VanillaAttila]

Why not? @@mulletjocks Maybe the copper scrubbies have 1% lead

[@Vikingwerk]

Wish this was a legal hobby in the USA, I would love to give it a go.

[@GaryBoyd-fs2zj]

Screw it and go for it. I’m in the US. As long as you don’t get carried away and try to make an illegal business of it and draw to much attention you should be fine. I’ve been at it for a couple of years and basically the only ones that know are people I trust and some family. Don’t tell blabber mouths. I also found the law is a lot more lenient on home distillers than what they have been in the past. Before you start do your research and do more research and when you think you’re ready do some more research. It is a 12:17 12:17 continuous learning process and the learning curve is crazy. But for me it’s the problem solving and Geekery and continual learning. What ever you do good luck and happy holidays

[@adrianjensen2504]

If it is that easy for a home distiller to achieve azeatrope why do commercial distilleries have such high columns?

[@MrCRAIGSHILL]

Why not put the copper "onion" on top of the plates?

[@user-de7zl4uc9i]

But you have a GENIO...doesnt that just give ya 95 all by itself

[@mi6432]

Get SPP.

[@the_whiskeyshaman]

Close enough

[@Boydegravesvlogs]

Can someone Distilled hard cider apple 🍎🍎🍎

[@ivecodaily4x4]

Попробуй спирально призматическую насадку. Легко получается 95. Но на 2 дюймовый царге. Важно что бы вся насадка хорошо смачивалась.

[@mackemsruleFTM]

The next assignment is to spell favourite correctly, lol.

[@TheSquirreless]

False bottom you say...