RUNNING A REFLUX STILL STEP BY STEP PART 2

[@glenna3434]

This is an OUTSTANDING video! Every beginner should watch this two or three times and then after their first run, watch it again. Your best yet George!

[@stevenbaynes2646]

George, my Mentor over lock down, :) I have learned so much, my still like yours (I made a copy) has made many gallons of over 160 proof, I mastered the re flux flow from you, and now I produce good ABV and now I'm making Xmas baskets for my customers with the pickles, chutney and small samples of moonshine for them, thank you Master Distiller for teaching me all this during lock down (BTW South Africa is going to Level 1 on Sunday 00:00 midnight) but there is no reason for me to stop this hobby, now I'm making liqueurs and all sorts of stuff as presents for people, it's an addictive thing and you produce your own product, the fact you give someone something you made makes the difference, THANK YOU TONS for all your videos!!!!

[@michaelreinke7567]

Been working on my distillation for a while. I'm glad you put this video out recently. I just received my first reflux the other day and had alot of questions. This series of videos has help tremendously Thanks Man. Happy Distilling!!!

[@glimerman1]

Yep I am 😢 I vvdd

[@dfriendly1966]

This is very instructional. The level of detail is just right. Can't give you enough 👍's.

[@marknichols5827]

The "balancing" is probably one of the most important points you've made about the process George. You told me this on the phone over a year ago when my still was puking. Now I lower the heat at 130 degrees, balance at 145 with no more problems. Thanks again

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Awesome

[@kcraig51]

Just came from part 1. Again, these are the first videos I've watched on distilling. Super clear, concise info! Thanks!

[@chuckdontknowdoya6100]

George steps to the plate here's the pitch he swings hammering the ball deep into center field back back it flys way over the wall for another Grand Slam Home run. Way to belt it out of the park George I'm starting my first reflux run tomorrow and now thanks to all of your great information I don't have to try and figure it out as I go. Double pump handshake and a pat on the back along with a BIG THANK YOU keep them coming my friend I promise to keep watching.

[@patmancrowley8509]

Thanks, George! I am enjoying your tutorials. You make what seems complicated simple. You remind me of my older brother who is a retired teacher.

[@alanjohnson8077]

I will now gain experience from my pot still and then look at building a reflux still, now that I fully understand how one works from your great educational videos. I follow these videos all the time. Keep up the good work.

[@TheSteveoTube]

Man, listening to you talk - amazing! I have learned so much in such a short period of time. That is a testament to your ability to impart information. I like how you provide the building blocks and then ask a question, while allowing time for us to answer. I'm enthusiastic about learning what you are teaching, so I am answering out loud to my TV. I can't remember ever having spoken to my television before. I'm really excited about learning what you are teaching. I think that I'm going to reach expert-level before my first run! Thank you!

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

This is awesome and I appreciate it. Please stick with us. We have many, many more videos coming.

[@rayallen6200]

Just purchased my first still it will be equipped with a dual column. I will be running as a pot still first to just get things going. Re-watching this video a few times before starting my first reflux run. All your videos are so informative. Thank you sir. Cant wait for the next video that i didn't know i needed to see haha...

[@howardbrown9893]

Thanks George, you answered a lot of questions I had after running my still in reflux for the first time today ( had a lot of puking going on). One day I’ll learn to check her first.

[@leetrenholm4926]

This is such a perfect lesson , I just got a reflux column and took the football off my Chinese still. I’m going to do my first run tomorrow and you just saved me from doing multiple mistakes. Thank you George for sharing your knowledge

[@alanjohnson8077]

This is a great video. I have built a still with a shotgun condenser and Pid controller and fermented 5 gallons of birdwatchers sugar wash and am now ready to put it through the still with the many hours of great advice and education from these videos. Still cleaned and tested using plain water to get familiar with the Pid and temp control to balance the still. Can't wait to get started with this great hobby.

[@jonathanpartlow3050]

Really appreciate you - your educate, inform and give access to the masses to what is elusive.

[@johnhedberg1624]

Just getting started myself. Got a still for Christmas (what a great present!) George- you have a pretty serious channel! I've done a lot of reading over the years, and watched a lot of videos, but over the last 2 weeks I've learned a lot that I didnt know. Excellent work!

[@dfriendly1966]

This video will be rewatched over and over again for sure.

[@jimjohnston7042]

Happy distilling, thanks for all that you do George and reposting the link to the apps.

[@rocketsroc]

I run a Brewhaus like yours and as you describe, water control to the column top condenser is absolutely critical. It is a huge help to have a PID controlling the kettle temperature so I can concentrate on monitoring the water flow rate to the column condenser and maintain that sweet spot of balance. I use a 1/2" stainless needle valve which one can find on Amazon or ebay. for about $14. A needle valve can adjust water flow down to a few drops so it will provide very precise adjustment. Once the column is in balance it is truly a good day!

[@brocksterification]

George, you are the master. Besides the fact that you have a load of us punching the numbers to work out your temps and volumes. Thank you sir, for the volume and detail of information you share about this challenging and rewarding pursuit.

[@MrLibbyloulou]

I have just watched both vids and i can tell you, you have left me feeling a hell of a lot more confident to start refluxing...thank you..now to finish my still....cheers George...

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

You can do it!

[@MrBloodprice]

These have been very interesting and informative videos, thank you George.

[@BillMcGirr]

Just a great set of videos. A perfect lesson in refluxing. Thoroughly enjoyed it. Well done.💪👍🥃

[@KYLE-jm6tr]

Thank you so much for taking the time to educate us on home distilling. I love your videos. Thank you for showing me the ropes. Look forward to a new video or a farewell sign off

[@belczyk]

Thanks George for always sharing your knowledge, I learn something new every time😀

[@garrymcgaw4745]

Thanks George that cleared up a lot of problems I was having. Happy distilling mate.

[@uenifonoti3646]

Thank you George. You made it so simple and easy.

[@knuckle47]

How many times can I be wow’ed. Tremendous series... I feel like I have a years worth of experience...in 30 days

[@4mikesutube]

Great video George! I have wanted to better understand how to use a reflux process. I have learned with pot still process quite well and now want to try my hand making gin and infused vodkas. This video definitely enhanced by understanding of refluxing the vapors. But still unclear about the dephlegmator differences and usage. Mike "The Blind Pig" references his dephlegmator in his process to control the quality of his spirit. Hope to see you do a video on Dephlegmator process to add to my understanding. Great job on the video as always and all the best to you George.

[@williamarmstrong7199]

Always something new to learn off every video no matter how accomplished you may be or think you are :) .

[@WEGOTEYEONYOU2]

The level of detail is just right. THANKS

[@Hrabia_von_Wpiździeszturhau]

25:09 your PID actually DOES force all the tails vapor - that's its job after all, to keep the set temp. regardless of other variables. That's why it's far more reasonable to keep stable heating, and just put an alarm temp. probe at the top. You can sleep well until the alarm goes off - then you immediately swap your jar and start collecting tails. As simple as that.

[@DroneRecon]

Glad to put that section of the flow rate as I couldn’t see it due to the white background of the aircon, great video 👍

[@meehafr]

George you are a Legend, thanks for all you do!

[@ianzander]

This is a fantastic two part video.

[@greenlight679]

Thank you George - Happy Distilling !

[@mikeduffer6858]

Thanks so much George for the time and effort you put into your channel. You must have been a avionics tech or aircraft mechanic in the service? I just tested me PID controller. I followed your instructions and we have success! I am so excited !!! Thank you and thank you for your service Brother.

[@CP-od7tr]

George, I wish you would have included the sight glass. That would help people understand what is actually going on inside the column. This is not criticism but I think the visual would help people understand the process. JMHO.

[@deant6627]

My still has a needle valve on the exit flow, the system setup works amazing. When it's in the Fast position and eventually the quality starts to drop off, turn it to the slow position and helps maintain at higher quality. The brand of the still is Pure Distilling.

[@whyyoutalkingtome]

Thank you, George, i kinda understood the theory of reflux, but have never seen, or had explained, the process of it.

[@pwagner2]

Nice work, and great info. Thanks!

[@yooperjoe5655]

hi George, great video, hey my first reflux still was my copper pot still once I got it running good I used a cold wet cloth and put it on the column and when it got warm I rinsed it in cold water and reapplied it to the column. it was amazing just doing that I could watch the proof rise in the parrot

[@justice4all719]

Could use the thermocouple PID to bring it up to start the process, then switch to a flow sensor PID to keep it going, so the temperature rises to keep an optimal output flow. Then it could be all switched off when it reaches a desired top temperature. Nice setup and nice way you got to explain everything!

[@justice4all719]

I think about that, could also automatically control the valve that lets the water flow through the reflux, so it's directly proportional to the rising temperature... And add a rotating plate that could be pre loaded with empty mason jars of a preset mL volume and rotate every X amount of mL that passed through the output.

[@wojciechjurczyk9927]

Mr George! Great video, explain a lot, the app is also exelent. No i know when to use column with reflux (cross tubes) and when not to use it. Keep recording please. Happy destiling

[@tracibeacer670]

One of your best ..

[@danssv8]

George i call it calibration to get the right temperature between the reflux column and the boiler

[@curtadkins2778]

i understand your point of running still correctly, me still has been here 2 weeks now and i have not put it together yet, i have watched so many of your videos and have spent so much money on stuff you suggest to have, i plan on running it next to perfect on my first try, if i ruin my first run it must be your fault, just joking about the last part, i have tried yet but starting to feel like i understand more then some of my buddies that have been doing it for years, love your videos and hope to start my first sugar wash in about a week. just waiting on a few more things to get here. thanks for the channel

[@uenifonoti3646]

Great video. Thank you very much. I might have a question or two.

[@silver-hy6mi]

These videos and tips are so valuable!

[@Jeremy-km4dj]

Thank you so much George!!

[@greg4673]

Purdy good! Plus the tail run jar can be used as a hand sanitizer :)

[@shaknit]

All that is really cool if you are into a lot of tech but it cant replace experience and the senses.

[@tedbullpit6164]

Those oils you're talking about a sort of like looking at a heat Haze off a very hot rod very handy tip thank you very much if you're doing a rerun of heads and tales collection would you also collect heads and tales from that

[@mikeymason6721]

George your a genius, I want to know what was your occupation was? You finally got me in distilling, thanks distilling brother.

[@craighorrocks3964]

Thanks George, great advice!

[@lcart4430]

Hi George. Have watched most all your videos. Love them. Question? What happened between you setting temp to 134. Then came back and had set to 174. In other videos you set to 160 to 164 for some time. Understand that you let balance and stacked. Is it ok to go from 134 to 174 that quick.

[@roylocke2947]

Thanks, George great video well done

[@cornfedproductions9773]

I vote you set up a live stream of the G still running non stop at 192 proof for us to drool over and dream about owning one day😆. Lol

[@TheTuborgen]

Have you ever tried the spiral still? It cost like 100$ in equipment and gives 190 proof every time if built properly. It's slow, but no need for water cooling and a fancy heater, just set and forget more or less. 10m of 12mm soft copper tubing, heater from a water boiler, a cheap power control, a 25-30L fermentation bucket and game on. I have yet to meet any seasoned moonshiners, bartenders or anyone else actually saying the quality is bad from that Swedish invention. Would love to see a review made by you.

[@FireAnt007]

It would be awesome if you showed the temperatures of the top of the column "THE POINT OF NO RETURN".

[@beekeeper8474]

love those stills. great video

[@MrBillTroop73]

For anyone trying to get the app, and receive an error pop up about signing in. I clicked "ok" on the pop up, then clicked on the 3 lines in the upper corner and clicked on the "google" option to sign in. Then searched for "barley" to bring up the calculators. Hope this helps.

[@4mikesutube]

What is the app called and is it on the Android? Have not been able to find it so far.

[@MrBillTroop73]

@@4mikesutube Yes, it's available for Android. Look for Barley and Hops apps.

[@4mikesutube]

@@MrBillTroop73 thanks for the reply. I checked the Play Store for the app and nothing for Barley and hops shows🤔

[@MrBillTroop73]

@@4mikesutube ah, I see what's happened. In the area below the video, click "Show More". You should then see a link. click on that and follow instructions.

[@4mikesutube]

@@MrBillTroop73 thanks, I found them and installed.

[@briancampbell5685]

Brian Campbell (UK) Teaching the Science and Art of practical distilling by George Duncan cannot be equaled.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

You are too kind.

[@donalddooley209]

Thanks George great video

[@brucekrisko4364]

Dear George, could you possibly go into more detail on when and how often you use the auto tune on your PID, and do you do it every time you change the still? Thank you for your excellent stewardship.

[@johnzillner1596]

George, I love your videos and how to's. I would like to see your cooling water/air conditioner/pump build. You must own the quietest air conditioner on the market, I never did hear it kick on. What temp does it keep the water ?

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

I shut it off when the water (all 20 gallons or so) gets to 40 F I turn it back on when it creeps up over 55. Way cooler than I need but fun to have that much control over it. George

[@johnzillner1596]

George, thank you for the prompt response. Do you have, or are you planning to have a "how to" on your chilled water cooling system ?

[@danssv8]

Just a quick one George so I have a 25lt wash at 18% and added 10lt rain water to it i still get the same amount of alcohol catching but more pure as I diluted the wash fuss cleaner heating by the heat source if this makes any sense. My still can take up to 50lt of wash , cheers

[@philiptruitt]

Thanks George!

[@nottusnitram]

Another great video George, I never stop learning. It occurred to me that another variable is the temperature of the coolant/water. Have you found a temperature where the coolant rises so high that it becomes ineffective. I cool my water using a line chiller and a water butt to store the recycling water. In the summer here in Uk i sometimes have to add ice to the water butt as the temperature of the water sometimes rises. Cheers Martin.

[@benluster8058]

Hey George. I think you should try to do a hopped infusion using your gin basket. Hop infused vodka.

[@howardlan3892]

Thanks George. This is the video I've been waiting for!

[@CP-od7tr]

Me too! I already figured out that running the hoses in series did not work. Too much cooling on the water jacket. Then when I restricted that, I had vapor coming out of the condenser. Not a good thing. I bought some fittings and a ball valve and teed off the lines. We shall see. If that doesn't work I'll buy a second pump. Thumbs up George! Thank you and keep up the good work. Cheers everyone. Happy distilling!

[@stevegriffin2302]

George, do a short video of reflux still but with propane heater, not PID electric. Please :)... Loved this video!

[@glleon80517]

I downloaded the app, signed in using Google account, and the app says “this view does not contain any elements”. Great video!

[@leestadnyk5573]

Same here linky no worky

[@glleon80517]

I have deleted the app, makes me nervous.

[@leestadnyk5573]

The comment below yours has instructions that work for getting the app. Seems good now

[@brucekrisko4364]

Hey George, could you have gotten 85 to 90 % proof if you added another handful of rashing to your column? Happy distilling!

[@BettaThenUpunk]

I have been running my reflux still great for over a decade. Thousands of litres of awesome product. Now that I see your video I realize I’m running it WRONG! 😂 DOH!!! Now I have to go to the store and spend a bunch of $$$$!!! Dam you George!!!!!! 😂😉

[@SomeTechGuy666]

How do you feel about having a sight glass in the column ? Ever thought of putting a flow meter on the condenser water flow ? The PID is measuring the column head temp and controlling the power to the element in the pot ?

[@danssv8]

As usual another great video mate

[@markmilsom5235]

how did cut the big hole in big blue

[@danssv8]

George look through my videos i have made a parrot simple with 90 degree's and t pieces and some reducers and just silver solder it all together, works a treat .

[@n1ppl3s]

Hi there big fan! I've learnt a lot from you. I was wandering if you could clarify something for me. I'm running a reflux still and I have managed to get the pot energy just right to maintain a head temperature of around 80C this usually maintains itself for a long time then after I have collected the estimated volume the temperature will drop. My question being, if you can maintain the correct boiling temperature of methanol throughout the whole run, in theory when the temperature drops down, that means there is no more ethanol?

[@thomasdoherty6876]

Very in depth explanation thanks a lot, but i was under the impression that pid controllers weren't suitable for reflux stills and scr controllers were better suited, i was on the verge of buying a new scr and scrapping my pid but if its possible, then why complicate things? 👍 Thanks again

[@davidallen4174]

Thanks for all you do but I do have a question. Why can't I vent the bung and allow most of forshots and heads to leave the still through the top. I have a 2" T at the point of no return, when the still is running, I place a bung with probe above the point of no return and to the condenser from the middle of the T. What do you think?

[@danssv8]

Love your Pid set up but I might just stay with my lpg burner

[@danielklimekable]

First! Love the video!

[@bangs2ndshotgarage865]

Hi George I have a couple questions for u. I’ve been running a sock with charcoal in it up in the column to get rid of the impurities and get a better taste. Is this a bad idea? Needless to say I’ve been running it wrong with the water. I’ve been using one pump for the redux and arm. After seeing your video I’m def switching to 2 pumps and a valve to control it. Second question how long should a run take me to do with a 15 gallon reflux still and how many gallons should I expect to get? It’s been taking me 12hrs to get 2 and half gallons which seems rediculous.I use a propane burner and it is tough to regulate the heat with it but would I be better off heating the still up at full blast or should I gradually heat it like I have been which is 2hrs in itself? Last question is what do u cap off the top of yours with? Mine came with a puck that’s getting old and I think I have vapors escaping around it but haven’t been able to find a replacement one anyware.

[@Colt3854]

Great info George. Come on back.😊

[@fakeout735]

Is there anything special you need to do when you turn the still off? How long do you let the pump run after the stills off?

[@shaknit]

Just run full reflux until everything is heated up properly then slowly back off on the reflux until the distillate starts to flow the adjust to whatever you want.

[@robertlewis3336]

Every other instructional video I’ve seen says to do this, to start the process with full reflux running until everything is balanced and heated up. I suppose either way would work but my question is this: since the temperature probe is above the reflux chamber, how do we know when it is heated up properly? Wouldn’t the temperature always read low with the reflux chamber running full blast?

[@ryand4475]

Whaire can I get that still from?

[@Texaviator]

For the Might Mini, would suggest separating the water so you can control how much goes to the reflux jacket or run the water out the shotgun and into the jacket like in your previous videos?

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

absolutely

[@PERICLEEEES]

I need the app Link to barley and hops

[@beerbbqman2644]

George, you mentioned that you can run a PID with propane. How is that accomplished?

[@markfults1693]

I was wondering the same thing

[@beerbbqman2644]

I answered my own question. I just googled it, WOW, I'm going to automate my propane powered 13 gallon boiler/still.

[@gabrielbarberi4905]

I have a 3 inch reflux still and running with a 8 gallon kettle and my runs average 6 hours. What could I be doing wrong? Running to cold maybe?

[@flatfish561]

My temp probe doesn't register a temperature like you have, my first run was coming out at around 70 degrees what's wrong a hook up or setting? I reprogrammed the pid have farenheit inputted, some other settings were not like your program so I adjusted them. Will try another run and see but my temps seem weird,

[@SuperHurdman]

Can you run the harts again and get it purer and a higher alcohol count?

[@bungie38]

when running a reflux do you go by your top thermometer only

[@stevenbaynes2646]

oh and BTW, I saw the video re PID and no PID, I'm with you bud, PID RULES!!!!!

[@ROSCOEEROSCOEE-co8wh]

does shine always taste like whisky?

[@StanG1980]

How long do you let it sit on each temp before you move the temp up

[@joes3635]

So...assuming you're not using a PID, and you're just controlling the heater manually, how do you get to the sweet spot? OK, I've got it going in the 178f range. So...time to turn on the water. But if the water is anything but the most minute trickle, I'm now cooling things a bit. So then the only solution is to increase the heater power. How does one achieve the balance when the target is moving?

[@C123Martins]

You don’t need a PID controller. Just set your boiler to a moderate heat. Methanol comes off around 145*f thru to 160*. Collect the fores and throw it out. Next, Turn on the reflux after you collect the fores . The mixture of alcohol in the boiler determines the temp at the top of the column. As the available alcohol in the boiler becomes less the temp goes up . The temp tells you where you are in the process.