Can you use a reflux still as a pot still?

The dual purpose or hybrid stills mean that they can run as a pot still or a reflux still which gives the distiller more options. When running as a pot still the distiller will not run water to the reflux condenser and put a minimal amount of copper mesh in the column so not packing the column all the way up.

What distilleries use pot stills?

But there’s a small trend of American distilleries using pot stills to produce Bourbon. Hillrock, Kings County, Dry Run, Town Branch, Ky-Mar Farm, Woodstone and Tom’s Foolery Distilleries, to name a few, have been leading the charge for 100 per cent pot still distillation.

Can you make whiskey in a pot still?

Pot stills are used to make many of the world’s great spirit styles, such as single malt scotch, cognac, many rums, and most mezcal. Pot stills form the basis of batch distillation. This means a specified amount of liquid goes into the still and gets distilled into spirit.

What type of still is best for whiskey?

Copper is definitely the better choice for products like Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, Irish Whiskey, Scotch, and traditional Rum, because of the sulfur reduction, as mentioned above. These spirits are also most commonly distilled in pot stills (no reflux), which allows for lots of flavor to come through from the wash.

How do you make a pot still?

Step 1: Drill a 1/8-inch Hole on the Aluminum Pot.
Step 2: Wrap the Thermometer with Teflon Tape.
Step 3: Place the Thermometer in the Hole.
Step 4: Secure the Thermometer with Hot Glue.
Step 5: Drill a 3/8-inch hole in the Pot Lid.
Step 6: File as Needed.
Step 7: Insert a Compression Fitting into the Lid.

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.

What is a reflux still?

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. This “reflux” of liquid helps clean the rising vapor and increase the % purity.

What is patent still method?

A patent still distillation is a method of producing grain whiskey through a continuous distillation process. It is also called a “Coffey” still, from the name of Aeneas Coffey, who patented the idea in 1831, according to the Scotland: Whisky and Distilleries website.

Why do a stripping run?

The first run is what’s called a “stripping run” because its purpose is to strip the water, yeast, and sediment out of your mash before your “spirit run(s)” or primary distillation(s). Distilling this way will ultimately give you a smoother product.

Does a still need to be copper?

Without copper, the distillate will smell and taste sharp and unpleasant. However, the still doesn’t need to be made of copper. There is nothing particularly magical about the pot or column itself being made of copper. As long as copper metal is present somewhere in the still, the beneficial reactions can occur.

What size still do I need for 5 gallons of mash?

This means that for a 5 gallon mash you will use 1-1/4 gallons of backset and 3-3/4 gallons of water. Since you will be running your still for hours, you do not want to leave the fermenter empty. Put your 3-3/4 gallons of water back into the fermenter so your yeast won’t die while you distill.

How do you make essential oils still?

How To Make Essential Oils

Harvest the raw plant material.
Dry the plant material (optional)
Add water to the still.
Add your plant material to the still.
Heat the still.
Filter the collected oil.
Pour the oil into a container for storage.
Clean the still.

Is it better to use a pot still or a reflux still?

Is it better to use a Pot Still over a Reflux Still? All stills collect alcohol from the ‘wash’ at varying strengths and the total amount of alcohol collected depends on how much is present in your wash. Reflux Stills collect less alcohol volume but it is much higher in strength.

How does reflux still work?

The taller the column and the more reflux liquid, the neutral the alcohol will be. Reflux still is like a lot of pot stills assembled together that’s why it can make multiple distillation in a single run. This is how vodka and rum are distilled and then just diluted to proof safe for human consumption.

Is reflux still safe to drink?

Reflux still is like a lot of pot stills assembled together that’s why it can make multiple distillation in a single run. This is how vodka and rum are distilled and then just diluted to proof safe for human consumption. Reference: homedistiller.org.

Can you use a reflux still as a pot still?