Brought my copper 2" column from Oakstills, fantastic service and great price and quality. Beautiful kit and got 2" Gin Basket with stainless online proofing parrot. This review helped me commit to Oakstills and can't fault them at all.
Excuses me, but isn’t the column mounted upside down in your video? The copper canister is intended for the downflow and the holes in the copper plate for the upflow.
I have a 4 plate column and I find that I have best results with taking my wash and do striping runs, I only collect down to 25-30% so to leave the tails behind best I can. Then proof down under 40% and Sprit run all of that 1 time through the 4 plates. average take off on the spirit run is 93%. Have Fun!!
I started with just a rashing ring and jacketed reflux. Then went to a 3in bubble plate glass column from oak still. Then I went to 4 sight glasses, and eventually settled on 4 copper flutes with a sight glass on top. And 5 plates with a defag. I also went with a onion head and sometimes gin basket for pot stilling. Enjoy! Looking foward to seeing you run her 😊 Be careful with the glass make sure and don't over tighten as well as put uneve pressure. Also the hoses make sure no cold water drops on hot glass or even condensation. It can crack your glass ask me how I know lol.
I'm looking forward to seeing how she goes. "A converted keg for a boiler, 2" bubble plate column with reflux, a P I D to control the power input (probe at the point of no return before vapours enter the liebig water condenser) nice water management set up, shit load of wash....". Folks, I think we'er dealing with a Pro here. Good luck mate. From Aussie.
Lol I'm no pro but I definitely do a ton of research. I drive for work over the last three years I think I've listened to every adio book on distilling and brewing i could find. Its just always been an interesting topic and kind of a magical process. Thanks for the support I really appreciate it.
@@theproofroom1473 It has captivated me too right from the paddock to the bottle. Barley and Hops (George) and Jesse from Still it gave me oodles of excellent tips and advice. And thank you for the tip on bubble colunms, that's my next challenge. Au revoir.
I just wanted to say thanks for the convo on FB. You helped a bunch. As for this column. I'd be interested if itvwerent for all those gaskets. That's NEVER a good thing. I was looking at the exact same one but I think I'll wait and save up for the individual sight glass sections stacked using ring clamps. Thanks for the video, good job!!
Yea I wanted to go with that column but its really hard to show the process and explain how it works without being able to see in the column. Thanks for the support man I really appreciate it.
I am positive that these are the same thing everyone uses in this type of column. I'm not sure if they make ptfe seals for glass plate columns but is definitely something I can look into.
@@theproofroom1473 Wrap the silicone seals with PTFE tape. It's a PITA to wrap teflon tape around seals but PTFE is PROVEN NOT TO LEACH into spirits. Easy way to wrap silicone seals with Teflon tape: Take a toothpick and put it in a drill. Wrap the PTFE tape around the pick 5 to 10 times. Run the drill so the PTFE spools onto the tooth pick. Take the toothpick out of the drill and break off the excess wood of the tooth pick. Now when you wrap the PTFE around the Silicone seal it is easier to feed it in and out & around. Here is Chemical resistance chart of: Buna Nitrile, EPDM, Silicone, and PTFE www.glaciertanks.com/PDFs/ChemicalResistanceChart.pdf PTFE is Resistant to all, Silicone does not fare very well. Reminder: "Food Grade" is NOT Hot Alcohol Vapor proof. Cheers!
@@BigEdsGuns I've done that before but with these seals I don't think its possible. They aren't flat they have groves in them that the glass and the plates sit in. They are standard on glass columns I see a lot of people use them.
Noice set up wit the new toy lol I’m curious on how they work! I’d b itching to use it ASAP too! I’m enjoying ur channel n content so I gots to subscribe cuz ur journey into this hobby is genuine keep up the good work 👍
@@VentureWelding depends on the mash/wash and size of your column or still but I tend to stick with a stream no bigger then a pencil led and if I can get a drip drip spert pattern I'm in good shape.
Have pretty much the same set up but am having issues with it not condensing to liquid quick enough and so I see some gas coming out of the end of condenser with the liquid dripping as well any advice on how to slow down that condensing? Any advise helps thank you!
i bought the cheaper shorter column just for the bits and peices,,, i'll make a longer extension from copper for the height , use the short condenser for reflux and make my own shotgun condenser also from copper approx 500mm long, my 2 x 3500w element 50lt keg boiler is already finished,, i watched Jessie from Still It make his shotgun condenser, seems not very hard, i'll give it crack
For 95% you are gonna need more plates. Or a packed section above the plates. You'll have to find a balance in the input power and the amount of reflux you allow. After full reflux for 20 to 45 minutes you'll have to experiment. By either slowly backing off water flow. Or backing off power & water. Use a parrot and watch the ABV as it come off. Take off fores & heads, then reflux again for 10 to 15 minutes. Then take off hearts. Watch ABV until you get the hang of it and you know your power and water flow settings. Then ditch the parrot. You'll know by smell, feel (rub between fingers) and taste. Please watch out, 70% to 95% drinking is not advisable. High ABV will eat your taste buds. Cheers!
Definitely, I am working on building a parrot now so that should help. I plumbed the water last night so its ready to go I also ordered two 90s and and a shotgun condenser so I had a little more knock down bower
@@theproofroom1473 Parrots are a great tool. But they do smear. After you get comfortable running, ignore the parrot and smell the cuts, you'll know whats going on after a few runs. Until you have a parrot. If you really get desperate just pour some in a test tube and drop in the tralle to see what the abv is. My Shotgun condenser is a large 316 stainless 3" x 24" long with 8 x 1/2" tubes (gift from my wife). Coolant in/out are 1/2" npt. >>>> The ONE THING I did to make water connections EASY.
Why bother with a 2 inch when a 4 is about the same price? Edit: never mind. Its worth getting the bigger one but it should have still fit in your budget if you did not get the rest of the parts. I got one for $300cad.
Yup I will eventually have a 4 inch but I would still have to but the condenser and everything else. It was around 550. I'm working my way there. Cheers and thanks for the info.
@@theproofroom1473 i started off with everything being 2 inch and then I added the 4 inch bubble plates. Now I'm looking to change the 2 inch dephlegmator to a 4 inch CCVM in the new year.
Just a reminder a 4" column will need 220v 3000w element which I believe TPR has. (Those running propane will have no issues running a 4" column.) I run a 4" but use 5500w which I consider a must for 4" quicker heat up time. Cheers Jason!
Brought my copper 2" column from Oakstills, fantastic service and great price and quality. Beautiful kit and got 2" Gin Basket with stainless online proofing parrot.
This review helped me commit to Oakstills and can't fault them at all.
Excuses me, but isn’t the column mounted upside down in your video? The copper canister is intended for the downflow and the holes in the copper plate for the upflow.
I've got a Hooloo and Oak Stills Frankenstill. The Guys from OakStills are amazing especially when it comes to customization request
I have a 4 plate column and I find that I have best results with taking my wash and do striping runs, I only collect down to 25-30% so to leave the tails behind best I can. Then proof down under 40% and Sprit run all of that 1 time through the 4 plates. average take off on the spirit run is 93%.
Have Fun!!
Thank for the info ill definitely give it a try
I started with just a rashing ring and jacketed reflux. Then went to a 3in bubble plate glass column from oak still. Then I went to 4 sight glasses, and eventually settled on 4 copper flutes with a sight glass on top. And 5 plates with a defag. I also went with a onion head and sometimes gin basket for pot stilling.
Enjoy! Looking foward to seeing you run her 😊
Be careful with the glass make sure and don't over tighten as well as put uneve pressure. Also the hoses make sure no cold water drops on hot glass or even condensation. It can crack your glass ask me how I know lol.
I do have an extra seal and glass just in case. I appreciate the tips thank you.
I'm looking forward to seeing how she goes. "A converted keg for a boiler, 2" bubble plate column with reflux, a P I D to control the power input (probe at the point of no return before vapours enter the liebig water condenser) nice water management set up, shit load of wash....". Folks, I think we'er dealing with a Pro here. Good luck mate. From Aussie.
Lol I'm no pro but I definitely do a ton of research. I drive for work over the last three years I think I've listened to every adio book on distilling and brewing i could find. Its just always been an interesting topic and kind of a magical process. Thanks for the support I really appreciate it.
@@theproofroom1473 It has captivated me too right from the paddock to the bottle. Barley and Hops (George) and Jesse from Still it gave me oodles of excellent tips and advice. And thank you for the tip on bubble colunms, that's my next challenge. Au revoir.
@@garrymcgaw4745 those guys absolutely are some of my inspiration.
Haha same set-up myself brother. I've yielded 170 proof (85%) was my highest on a spirit run.
Very cool Cheers
Thank you cheers
Everything that is in the box came with it
I like oak stills. Best in China in my opinion and great communication.
They were very responsive. I emailed them on two separate occasions and they responded timely.
I just wanted to say thanks for the convo on FB. You helped a bunch.
As for this column. I'd be interested if itvwerent for all those gaskets. That's NEVER a good thing. I was looking at the exact same one but I think I'll wait and save up for the individual sight glass sections stacked using ring clamps.
Thanks for the video, good job!!
Yea I wanted to go with that column but its really hard to show the process and explain how it works without being able to see in the column.
Thanks for the support man I really appreciate it.
How do the silicone seals do with high proof alcohol
Would ptfe seals be better
Thanks
I am positive that these are the same thing everyone uses in this type of column. I'm not sure if they make ptfe seals for glass plate columns but is definitely something I can look into.
Both will work, both are designed for the job.
@@jeremyprovence4942 thank you I appreciate it.
@@theproofroom1473 Wrap the silicone seals with PTFE tape.
It's a PITA to wrap teflon tape around seals but PTFE is PROVEN NOT TO LEACH into spirits.
Easy way to wrap silicone seals with Teflon tape:
Take a toothpick and put it in a drill.
Wrap the PTFE tape around the pick 5 to 10 times.
Run the drill so the PTFE spools onto the tooth pick.
Take the toothpick out of the drill and break off the excess wood of the tooth pick.
Now when you wrap the PTFE around the Silicone seal it is easier to feed it in and out & around.
Here is Chemical resistance chart of: Buna Nitrile, EPDM, Silicone, and PTFE
www.glaciertanks.com/PDFs/ChemicalResistanceChart.pdf
PTFE is Resistant to all, Silicone does not fare very well.
Reminder: "Food Grade" is NOT Hot Alcohol Vapor proof.
Cheers!
@@BigEdsGuns I've done that before but with these seals I don't think its possible. They aren't flat they have groves in them that the glass and the plates sit in. They are standard on glass columns I see a lot of people use them.
Moving on up brother!! I have the same setup but I went with a shotgun condenser with parrot attached you will enjoy it
Yup thats the next move
Noice set up wit the new toy lol I’m curious on how they work! I’d b itching to use it ASAP too! I’m enjoying ur channel n content so I gots to subscribe cuz ur journey into this hobby is genuine keep up the good work 👍
Thanks for the support. I am dying to use it but my wash has a day or two left before its ready. I'm dying inside lol.
I hear ya bud lol
Great video.. how thick is the stainless pipework .. looks like good quality stuff , and quite heavy ?
I'm not exactly sure but it's quality stuff
They've got them now for 135.00-140.00 on ebay. Just purchased one I'm eagerly waiting to arrive.
You won't regret it
@@theproofroom1473 what's your finished proof? Waiting for a new hydrometer to see my first run abv. Smells very strong like 85%+
@@VentureWelding right around 80 to 85 if you can let her perk really slow
@@theproofroom1473 what do you consider slow? In terms of the collection rate per hour
@@VentureWelding depends on the mash/wash and size of your column or still but I tend to stick with a stream no bigger then a pencil led and if I can get a drip drip spert pattern I'm in good shape.
When you order from oak stills, would you get a call from customes to go pick up the package there and/or pay taxes to them or things of that nature?
No I didn't
Thank you for your video. Then are you planning to make run video?
Should be out tomorrow
Tomorrow was 3 day ago 😁
@@DeniskaNYC sorry man I've been swamped with work
Have pretty much the same set up but am having issues with it not condensing to liquid quick enough and so I see some gas coming out of the end of condenser with the liquid dripping as well any advice on how to slow down that condensing? Any advise helps thank you!
The only thing I've been able to do is slow down a little and turn down the heat.
Looks good. How does it go? Are you happy with the 2" or do you wish you had gone 3 or 4
Honestly I'm happy with the 2inch but I do have the 4inch you guys will see in future videos
i bought the cheaper shorter column just for the bits and peices,,, i'll make a longer extension from copper for the height , use the short condenser for reflux and make my own shotgun condenser also from copper approx 500mm long, my 2 x 3500w element 50lt keg boiler is already finished,, i watched Jessie from Still It make his shotgun condenser, seems not very hard, i'll give it crack
Good luck my friend. I feel like I could have made one but its harder than it looks.
Are you going up to 4 inch eventually
Yes I do plan on going up to a 4 inch column next.
How long does it take you to get this product
About 7 to 10 days
Did you run it yet great video
I did check out my latest video
Is this product worth the money
I actually bought several products from oakstills.com I haven't had any issues
You gonna be my new best friend 😁
Lol ill see what I can do
Also neutral out of 5 plates?.. I'm talking azeo neutral
I think you got short shipped one plate
🤩
For 95% you are gonna need more plates. Or a packed section above the plates.
You'll have to find a balance in the input power and the amount of reflux you allow.
After full reflux for 20 to 45 minutes you'll have to experiment. By either slowly backing off water flow.
Or backing off power & water. Use a parrot and watch the ABV as it come off.
Take off fores & heads, then reflux again for 10 to 15 minutes. Then take off hearts.
Watch ABV until you get the hang of it and you know your power and water flow settings. Then ditch the parrot. You'll know by smell, feel (rub between fingers) and taste.
Please watch out, 70% to 95% drinking is not advisable. High ABV will eat your taste buds.
Cheers!
Definitely, I am working on building a parrot now so that should help. I plumbed the water last night so its ready to go I also ordered two 90s and and a shotgun condenser so I had a little more knock down bower
@@theproofroom1473 Parrots are a great tool. But they do smear. After you get comfortable running, ignore the parrot and smell the cuts, you'll know whats going on after a few runs.
Until you have a parrot. If you really get desperate just pour some in a test tube and drop in the tralle to see what the abv is.
My Shotgun condenser is a large 316 stainless 3" x 24" long with 8 x 1/2" tubes (gift from my wife). Coolant in/out are 1/2" npt.
>>>> The ONE THING I did to make water connections EASY.
@@BigEdsGuns right now I'm using barb fittings and pex eventually ill upgrade but I don't plan on changing it for awhile
Why bother with a 2 inch when a 4 is about the same price?
Edit: never mind. Its worth getting the bigger one but it should have still fit in your budget if you did not get the rest of the parts. I got one for $300cad.
Yup I will eventually have a 4 inch but I would still have to but the condenser and everything else. It was around 550. I'm working my way there. Cheers and thanks for the info.
@@theproofroom1473 i started off with everything being 2 inch and then I added the 4 inch bubble plates. Now I'm looking to change the 2 inch dephlegmator to a 4 inch CCVM in the new year.
Your 2 inch wouldn't keep up
@@thefirstflush7818 everything works fine now so it should have little to no change.
Just a reminder a 4" column will need 220v 3000w element which I believe TPR has.
(Those running propane will have no issues running a 4" column.)
I run a 4" but use 5500w which I consider a must for 4" quicker heat up time.
Cheers Jason!
its upside down, and you should have put the deflectors in to guide the distallate to the edge as it falls to the next level
Lead free copper? I thought copper was lead free.