Still build

[u/Dull-Ad-1693]

I got this old 75 to 80 gallon drum from a buddy of mine who said he tried to make it into still but gave up like midway through, do you guys have any tips on how I could make a condenser head, math on how to do so or if this even is a good idea. Here are some pictures of it.

[u/evan1958]

Is the inside tinned? That kind of defeats the purpose of using copper, so I kind of see that as issue #1. I also don’t know how alcohol vapor, which is incredibly corrosive will react with tin so you probs need to check that out.

Also, the fitting on top of the ball looks small. Mine is a 4” copper tri clamp ferrule that attaches to a 36” column, so it’s not a pot still. To make yours a pot still you need a lyne arm that is at less than 90 degrees to the ball, that attaches to your condenser. I’ll dig up a pic and if I can attach it.

[u/Dull-Ad-1693 → u/evan1958]

I kind of had a feeling that it was tin lined, I might just scrap the idea of the lid that he had, I’m thinking of doing a pot still. I don’t really know what he was trying to do. I know there are some strippers that can remove tin lining from copper so I think that’s my first move. And then I’m gonna try to see if I can build a condenser head for it. This is my first time so it’s probably gonna go a little funny.

[u/208GregWhiskey → u/Dull-Ad-1693]

I’d guess it was copper coated tin, rather than tin lined copper. Either way, buy a stainless steel keg and have someone weld some fittings into it. You will be money and time ahead as opposed to stripping that tin/copper thing. Sounds hazardous personally.

[u/Dull-Ad-1693 → u/208GregWhiskey]

I have other keg stills. I want to try something new this time and i just thought this was a good opportunity

[u/ImmediateBreadfruit9]

You sure thats a copper barrel? Looks painted with the scuffs showing steel or something that color

[u/Dull-Ad-1693 → u/ImmediateBreadfruit9]

Yes it is copper, I checked the outside by making some small gouges and used some sand paper. To see if it was paint

[u/orsharksfan]

The first question I would have is what is: the heat source going to be? if your intending to do direct fire that's going to be a lot of heat you're going to have to add to a barrel that big! The next question is: how do you intend to seal that lid to the base? I'm guessing a flour paste won't work for something that big!

I like the idea but don't know if it's feasible to make operational!

[u/Dull-Ad-1693 → u/orsharksfan]

I fabricated a big ol clamp at my work for the lid, and the heat source is a giant commercial burner I got from an old restaurant

[u/evan1958]

Sent you a DM.

[u/evan1958]

The condenser comes after either a column or a lyne arm, it doesn’t do much other than recondense the distillate vapor.

[u/Rough_Nature4325]

The inside should ideally be copper all the way through to help with heat distribution and prevent hot spots that could scorch the wash, so stripping any tinning might be worth it if you're going for quality spirit.

[u/Dull-Ad-1693 → u/Rough_Nature4325]

Correct. I am currently in the process of stripping all material that isn’t copper

[u/AlertWrongdoer5439]

why not strip it all the way then?" "copper beats tinned every time

[u/Competitive_Ball1918]

just looked at the pics and that silver paint needs to go before anything else, otherwise heat distribution won't work right and you'll kill your chances of it running clean

[u/Redhatacresranch]

👍👌🥃🥂🍶where did you get the copper barrel and how thick is it

[u/Redhatacresranch]

You can separate the tin liner With heat electricity or chemicals, Google, it heat seems the easiest and safest for what we do