FSD 2" Boka

Reflux still design and discussion

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby db1979 » Mon Oct 21, 2019 8:01 pm

Yep, we've got kids who loooove their spaghetti bollognaise (us parents are siiiick of it) and the pasta sauce jars make excellent collection jars. Over the weeks/months/years I've collected heaps.
db1979
 
Posts: 1760
Joined: Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:47 pm
Location: South of the big smoke in banana bender land.
equipment: Eve - 4" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (sieve plates), 330 mm packed section on a keg boiler with 2 x 2000 W elements.
Currently having a makeover: 2" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (1" bubble caps, no sight glasses...maybe not for much longer!) on a bain-marie boiler.

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Shano592 » Tue Oct 22, 2019 3:40 pm

Dammit! I have been chucking them out for weeks. I do bolognese meals for work lunches.

Lesson learned...

EDIT: My partner does have some 500mL apothecary bottles, which typically hold mixtures with around 70-90% ABV. They will be a good start
Last edited by Shano592 on Tue Oct 22, 2019 3:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby db1979 » Tue Oct 22, 2019 8:22 pm

Ask your friends to collect them for you and in no time you'll have heaps. Like Carol said, use beer stubbies while you build up your jar stocks. Good excuse to drink beer too.
db1979
 
Posts: 1760
Joined: Sat Dec 29, 2012 3:47 pm
Location: South of the big smoke in banana bender land.
equipment: Eve - 4" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (sieve plates), 330 mm packed section on a keg boiler with 2 x 2000 W elements.
Currently having a makeover: 2" x 4 plate solid state bubbler (1" bubble caps, no sight glasses...maybe not for much longer!) on a bain-marie boiler.

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby bluc » Wed Oct 23, 2019 9:15 am

I settled on beer bottles works for me :handgestures-thumbupleft:
bluc
Site Donor
 
Posts: 8967
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: sunshine coast
equipment: 2" pot with 2" shotty 400mm long 5x 1/2" on a t500 boiler.
50l keg boiler 4" still mount 4" sight glass 1" drain..
4 plate 4" bubbler, 600mm packed section

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Shano592 » Fri Oct 25, 2019 4:07 pm

The Gin Genie has arrived. It had an extended stay north of the border, but was eventually handed over this morning.

Good news, I won't need any copper. Andrew stuffed so many Chupa Chups in the still head that I couldn't fit any copper in! So many little surprises.

Andrew, thank you for your excellent and speedy service. Two thunk drumbs up! :handgestures-thumbupright: :handgestures-thumbupleft:

One question... the included 1/2-inch copper tube... is that for outbound liquids, off of the tap via the compression joiner?

Photos tomorrow, once I clamp keg to Boka. Then it is vinegar run, sacrificial run, and maybe some distilled water, before the main event.

One more question... Gin, can it be done (using botanicals) via this still, in it's current design? Copper out, stuffed calico bag in?
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Carol » Fri Oct 25, 2019 4:55 pm

I haven't tried gin yet - it is on my list of things to do. Calico is often heavily starched and is quite a thick fabric so I am not sure how well it would work in the column. For my planned gin adventures I have looked around for finer weave light fabric ( eg muslin, organza, fine cotton) so that the botanicals are in the vapour stream but that the crushed bits stay put. I have bought some very fine nylon bags with a drawstring - like a largish tea bag - for a few dollars on fleabay (will test them in heat first ). You can also get DIY teabags at Daiso and online. I have not tried any of these yet - but I don't think calico would be ideal. This is based on sewing experience (lots) more than distilling experience ( not much!).
Carol
Mentor
 
Posts: 411
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2019 1:29 pm
Location: South Australia
equipment: Still Spirits Air Still
FSD 2" Boka (aka Boris)
FSD 2" pot still ( aka Natasha)

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby bluc » Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:01 pm

You can get tea infusser balls like this
Screenshot_20191025-165856_eBay.jpg

100% stainless. They come in a range of sizes my advice get a big one. Not sure how much botanicals are needed for vapour infusion but i used about 1/2 sandwich bag to make 6l maccerated gin :handgestures-thumbupleft:
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
Last edited by bluc on Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:01 pm, edited 2 times in total.
bluc
Site Donor
 
Posts: 8967
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: sunshine coast
equipment: 2" pot with 2" shotty 400mm long 5x 1/2" on a t500 boiler.
50l keg boiler 4" still mount 4" sight glass 1" drain..
4 plate 4" bubbler, 600mm packed section

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Shano592 » Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:07 pm

Carol wrote: have bought some very fine nylon bags with a drawstring - like a largish tea bag


I think they call then nutmilk bags? Soak some almonds, crush them up, then put all of it into one of these and squeeze! Only the liquid comes out, none of the pulp. That's a great idea. I have a couple of these and didn't even think of them.

Failing that, Bluc's tea balls! :laughing-rolling:

The calico bags, I get for free with my coffee beans (unroasted, green beans). But if they need extra work to use, then blah!

EDIT: From what I have read, it isn't a lot of botanicals that are needed. But I guess you adjust to suit your tastes...
Last edited by Shano592 on Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Andrew » Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:45 pm

Shano592 wrote:Andrew stuffed so many Chupa Chups in the still head that I couldn't fit any copper in! So many little surprises.

I would recommend removing the Chupa Chups :laughing-rolling:
Shano592 wrote:
Andrew, thank you for your excellent and speedy service.

You are more than welcome

Shano592 wrote:the included 1/2-inch copper tube... is that for outbound liquids, off of the tap via the compression joiner?

100% correct

Shano592 wrote:Gin, can it be done (using botanicals) via this still, in it's current design? Copper out, stuffed calico bag in?

Not the best way to go, you would be much better off getting the pot head and do it properly
.
Oh and what you do with Blucs balls is between you 2 guys (sorry Carol :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling: )
Andrew
 
Posts: 393
Images: 0
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:58 pm
Location: S.E.Brisbane
equipment: Anything I choose From The 5 Star Range

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Carol » Fri Oct 25, 2019 5:49 pm

Thanks Andrew
I am quite happy to leave Bluc's balls to the guys!
Carol
Mentor
 
Posts: 411
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2019 1:29 pm
Location: South Australia
equipment: Still Spirits Air Still
FSD 2" Boka (aka Boris)
FSD 2" pot still ( aka Natasha)

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby bluc » Fri Oct 25, 2019 6:17 pm

Sorry but my balls are not for male use :teasing-neener: :laughing-rolling:
bluc
Site Donor
 
Posts: 8967
Joined: Tue Apr 14, 2015 5:47 pm
Location: sunshine coast
equipment: 2" pot with 2" shotty 400mm long 5x 1/2" on a t500 boiler.
50l keg boiler 4" still mount 4" sight glass 1" drain..
4 plate 4" bubbler, 600mm packed section

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Shano592 » Sat Oct 26, 2019 7:38 am

Female interconnections only?

Pot head is being built, so I shall wait on that, and maybe do some "bathtub" batches in the meantime.
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Andrew » Sat Oct 26, 2019 8:04 am

Shano592 wrote:Female interconnections only?.

2 of these : https://www.5stardistilling.com.au/prod ... ptor-12mm/
2 of these : https://www.5stardistilling.com.au/prod ... connector/
And your hose to and from the Boka
Andrew
 
Posts: 393
Images: 0
Joined: Sat Jun 11, 2011 12:58 pm
Location: S.E.Brisbane
equipment: Anything I choose From The 5 Star Range

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Shano592 » Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:21 am

All sorted. I keep a bunch of those in the shed, albeit plastic at the moment... plus I have 16mm OD clear pipe, that attaches on snugly!

Tube is stuffed to the gills . 4x 125g copper, 8 stainless scrubbers.

Just need to go to Aldi later, and get loads of vinegar...
Last edited by Shano592 on Sat Oct 26, 2019 10:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Shano592 » Tue Oct 29, 2019 2:09 pm

Right, I completed my first run today, on a raw sugar wash. I think the starting gravity was at the high end, and it wasn't particularly fast to ferment. Couldn't tell you what the fermented volume was, but it wasn't 20%. There wasn't enough gear in there for more than about 10%. Also, I used baker's yeast, so it was always going to be slow anyway.

So, I took 6x 400mL cuts. The first 3 came in around 95%, and each took close to an hour. Day off today, so I didn't want to rush it. Fourth cut was about 93%, then 5th and 6th were 86% and 74% respectively.

With the last cuts, the temps rose dramatically to around 93 degrees, so I found myself refluxing it quite a bit, in order to maximise what I could get. In the end, the final spot check was showing 30% ABV on the refractometer, so I called it at that point.

For a couple bucks of sugar, and a small investment in the Gin Genie, I'm really happy with the result. 2400mL, of 89.67% average ABV.

I have in mind to initially tub some gin. Should I cut then steep, or steep then cut?
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby scythe » Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:02 pm

Yeah I wouldn't drink all the stuff you collected.
That first jar will have heads and the last will more than likely have tails.
So your out 800mL from the get go.
Small cuts are advised no matter what still you run.
150-200mL is a good place to start.

Easiest thing to do would be dilute what you collected to 40%ABV with water and run it again.

Gin should only be made with the cleanest of hearts anyway.
scythe
 
Posts: 1860
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2013 6:34 am
Location: Central West NSW
equipment: Dreaming of a 4" bubbler

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Shano592 » Tue Oct 29, 2019 4:23 pm

I did take 150mL off for heads to start. That stuff is distinctly on the nose. The first 100ml beyond that was definitely more pleasant to smell.

I agree that I was into the tails by the time I finished.
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby scythe » Tue Oct 29, 2019 5:10 pm

Guide to cuts by kiwstilleri is a good read.
click me to read the guide
scythe
 
Posts: 1860
Joined: Thu Nov 14, 2013 6:34 am
Location: Central West NSW
equipment: Dreaming of a 4" bubbler

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Shano592 » Wed Oct 30, 2019 3:19 pm

Thank you for that, it was a very interesting read, indeed.
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

Re: FSD 2" Boka

Postby Shano592 » Sat Nov 02, 2019 10:19 am

I went in to the Reject Shop the other night. They have the 12-packs of the 350mL preserving jars, for $10. I bought 2 packs. :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Shano592
 
Posts: 81
Joined: Mon May 06, 2019 4:59 pm
Location: NSW Central Coast
equipment: .
2" Boka - The Gin Genie - For Sale
2" Pot - The Drunk Pelican
3" Bubbler - The Gin Genie MkII

PreviousNext

Return to Reflux Stills



Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 22 guests

x