The pot is a 20L stainless-steel milk can. A hole was cut into the top and a threaded fitting was braised in place. The column is in three parts and made of 3" copper pipe. The main column is 2ft long, the condenser is an additional 2ft with a condenser coil made of 1/8" copper tube. SWIM likes that he can interchange parts of the column to suit his needs.
If the main column is left empty, it can pull ~50%ABV in one run. With the column packed with copper mesh, it can pull upwards of 85% ABV.
The condenser is attached to a pond-pump in a cooking pot that recirculates cold water.
The heat source is propane, but SWIM would like to get a good electric hotplate for the higher %ABV runs for safety.
In this photo, SWIM sealed the joints with plumber's sealant, but discovered later that a simple dough made of flour and water is far more effective and much easier to clean up.
If ya look carefully, SWIM's baby San Pedro is hanging out in a pot in the backgorund.
11-12-2007, 07:08
Threaded Mode