FourCentCotton

I am thinking of having him build me a steam-jacketed kettle with and agitator, hopefully. So the steam lines will need to be rated. There is also the issue of my design: I want a thumper. I won't be using it all the time, but it will be there so there will be the potential to build up some pressure on the pot side. It sounds like I will need to get some kind of rating, and this might be a deal breaker for my friend's capabilities. We'll see. Thanks! FourCent

Kristian, I will definitely stop by and talk with David. He's a super nice guy. Also, as we discussed I will not be mentioning this to the FM. That's why I wanted to clarify the meaning of all this: so my friend can make it look perfeshnul. It's not like it won't be manufactured by a professional, though. He is a trained blacksmith that has worked with many types of metals before..... And sorry, but I want to bike to work once this is up and running...it would just take too long to bike to the Land of Love. Sorghy, Thanks for the input. That definitely helps me wrap my brain around it. FourCent.

Hey, all I've poring over the fire code here in my town (Fort Collins, CO), and it's nice because they have recognized that craft distilleries are going to be popping up all over and have compiled a very useful handout with the relevant codes on it. It is for the most part, very self-explanatory. The local fire marshall is known to be a stickler, though, and I want to be as safe and compliant as possible, so I have a question for anyone out there who might have some knowledge. I have a friend who is a blacksmith, and I really want him to manufacture my still. The problem with this is, I have found some code requirements I'm not sure how to meet. I'll quote them: "Process poping in connection to boilers and pressure vessels shall be regulated by the International Mechanical Code. Piping, tubing, valves and fittings shall be identified in accordance with ASME A13.1 to indicate material conveyed" ....This one seems a little tricky, but I'm guessing if I look up that ASME code I'll be able to get a handle on it. These are a little less straight-forward, though: "The design, fabrication and construction of tank(s) shall comply with NFPA 30. Each tank shall bear a permanent nameplate or marking indicating the standard used as the basis of design. Tanks shall be designed for the pressures to which they will be subjected in accordance with NFPA 30." ....here's what I wonder: does this mean my friend will have to get some NFPA rating or inspection? Or does it simply mean he needs to document the methods in which he complied with those standards? I'd kind of like to get somewhat of a handle on this before I approach him to tell him this is part of the bargain. Thanks in advance for any advice. I'm really hoping I can have a traditional-looking (yet modern in usage) still as a center-piece for my stillhouse. One of those awesome-looking stainless steel behemoths just wouldn't fit the motif. FourCent

I gotta tell y'all... As I work through the business plan and begin the various processes to get the various balls rolling in the various directions, this forum is a GOLDMINE! If I have a question, I search through here and usually come up with an answer. Thank you all so much for your insight. I'm still in the stage where more questions come up than get answered...I'm still climbing the first rise of the roller coaster...ticktickticktick. Thanks again. I'll be posting on here more and more as the days wear on. Stay tuned for my logo, which I hope to have in hand soon. Once I got that and a few other things in place, I'm gonna get on some guerrilla marketing...building the buzz, baby. More to come... 4cent

I am a complete novice on the subject, but I'm going to interject a thought here. I've been researching various stills and I've kept finding pictures of alembic-style stills with what looks like a thumper/doubler. Looking closer, I notice that some of these thumpers are elevated, with a drain tube that goes back into the main pot of the still. I couldn't figure out why you would want to empty your thumper into your main pot, but then I found this website: http://www.countryfarm-lifestyles.com/moonshine.html Take a look at plate 270. In this diagram, the main still vents into what they call a relay barrel, which has a tube coming off of it that drains back into the still. This is to allow the still to "puke" into the relay barrel and that puke can then safely drain back into the still. The outlet of the relay barrel then heads to the thumper and from there to the condenser. I would say that all of these preventative measures are going to be your best bet, so steam-jacket your still and put an agitator in place, if you can. If you're still worried about puking after that, a relay barrel might help.

Divore??? Dad gummit! I just got married last September! What a pain.... Oh, well. I guess it's her fault...she bought me my first still and has encouraged me to start this adventure. Wait...what was that you say? Perfect woman? yep. Gonna keep her, fellers.

Sorry for the multiple posts, y'all I kept getting a "fatal error" message so I tried a few times.....

Hello, y'all I'm going for it, and I need y'all to try to talk me out of it. Just kidding, sort of. I've been putting together a business plan (which for me consists of staring at a computer screen for and hour and then typing one sentence) to start an artisan distillery. I am currently in the throws of making some big decisions regarding the operation, and this forum is priceless for helping me put these decisions into perspective. My first thought, being a novice business owner with little capital to invest, was to start as small as possible. I originally wanted to rent a small warehouse and produce 3 to 4 really good, simple products. Then I get on this site and read all the kudos for tasting rooms and now I'm rethinking everything. I then had the idea that, if I opened an establishment that served local spirits (I live in Colorado, and would feature all-Colorado beverages) I might be able to turn a profit while I waited for the TTB, etc. Then I thought "ow". My brain started to hurt from all of the conflicting calculations and permutations of visions. So now I'm back to the simple warehouse o' liquor idea. Thing is, I also think I eventually want a tasting room of some sort. I'm a musician (banjo, fiddle, and guitar player..and I'm missing a few teeth...kind of makes me a natural for this business, I think) and I plan to incorporate music into most every aspect of my business, from marketing to having dag-gum square dances in the tasting room (when I get one). So all of this comes in to the mix. Brain dump done. So I'm feeling kind of stuck right now. I'm thinking that my next step is to hire a mentor/advisor from one of the many who have posted here. I welcome any and all advice y'all have regarding...well....anything to do with opening a craft distillery. Mostly I need the warnings, which is what I meant by y'all talking me out of it. As many heads up of dangers as you can give me, I'd appreciate. Also, if folks here could recommend a good consultant to hire, that would probably be the thing I need to get my direction back. (Professional consultants don't go recommending yourself, now...I wanna hear it from those who have used your services). Thanks in advance for all future advice and thanks in retrospect for all the info I've already gotten.