Our 125 Gallon Pot Still...so far

[Hewnspirits]

Hey VB.....what type of food grade oil are you using specifically? Curious what your finding for smoke point and boiling point on the oil you're using. The dedicated HeX fluids that we're looking at have really high smoke and boiling points....some as high as 700 F. Obviously we have no need to go that high but all the sales reps say that their in house tech people recommend an ideal operating temp at approx. half the products rated boiling point. Using the product at that approx. temp would give it the longest usable operating life. But damn those HeX fluids are pricey!!

[ViolentBlue]

on our prototype we used just straight up canola oil. the temperature monitoring setup on the control never allowed it to reach anywhere near smoke point, even with the kettle empty.

we've been looking into Boideisel, as it is non toxic (maybe not food grade though) and does not degrade as quickly as regular food grade oil does.

[Erich]

Sean,

Let me clarify... The still you are making is for your own use, not for resale purposes? Looks great btw!

[Moe]

Your picture of the planishing hammer is the same photo posted in 2010 of the copper kettle shop Picking & company. Did they make the half sphere?? Are they still making them??? How much did the half sphere cost?

[Hewnspirits]

Same hammer Moe. All said and done, our copper work was under $10k. We have an agreement with them to do the domes and body's with us for use in our turn key systems that we hope to have offered in the next few months. Next after our current 125 gallon still will be a 30 and then 60 gallon version as well as a column. Fun stuff for sure.