Stainless steel case
 

I want to build a small distillery about the size of a large coffee thermos.

I have the design in my head, and know the parts I need, but I want to find the proper stainless encasement to use.

Something similar to this time capsule:

http://daddytypes.com/archive/disney_time_capsule.jpg

However, not from Disney because they charge an arm and a leg.
Any ideas for a case?

EDIT - I should add that my intention is to build something that I can basically throw right into an open fire. Just FYI.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

....................

Re: Stainless steel case
 

I'll PM you.

Remember that I'm trying to keep this small enought to strap to the side of a back pack.
Roughly the size of a coffee thermos.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Everything I can think of has a rubber seal at some point ( don't throw it in a fire), that includes a beer keg.

If you're ok with that, you might be able to save a few bucks and have something a bit smaller by using a fire extinguisher. I have a couple at home that are stainless with a twist-off top (large enough to fit your hand in... a beer keg has a comparitively small opening). I used them as pressure washers... picked the up for a couple bucks each at yard sales. I think a new one wouldn't be too costly, or just look for a used one on craiglists or something.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Great idea! Fire Extinquishers.... A small-sized one would be perfect.

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Pressure cooker?

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Have a look for "Tri Clover" on ebay.

I have purchased large canister size / shape peices.

What I have is basically a large 6 inch dia ss tube with TC flanges and caps on each end.

Things of this nature are also made of Monel and Inconel at a higher cost.

Its the kind of plumbing that the breweries and food processing plants use.

IT uses a seal and clamp assembly that is reusable and easily cleaned.

I believe that this company was the first to design it and market it.

http://www.alfalaval.com/Pages/default.aspx

http://www.homebrew.com/articles/ima...over_clamp.gif


http://www.equipnet.com/mp_data/imag...9_196638_1.jpg

Re: Stainless steel case
 

You're over thinking this folks......

Hunk of stainless steel pipe whatever size you want, with each end weld capped, then a hole drilled, tap for 3/8"-1/2" NPT, screw a pc of copper line in....you could valve the line, but be careful you don't make a pressure bomb.....or just make a traditional cooling/condensing coil out of the copper line for "whatever" is coming out of the cooker...( called "the worm" in this neck of the woods )...I didn't ask......

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Haha. Actually, I friend of mine brought up a valid point: Stainless will warp and fatigue after with exposure to heat, so that opens up my options a bit. I could use cast iron, or whatever.

The pipe with caps is a good idea, if I can find something light-weight enough, and clean enough.
Maybe some high-temperature paint would be prudent...? Maybe not.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

I think cast iron would react unfavorably with whatever you're trying to distill and you can't easily weld to it pressure-tight.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

It will take a lot of heat to damage it. I think an extinguisher or keg will hold up to whatever you're throwing at it. Just don't use WTC steel and you should be fine.

If you want to go the welding route, the cheapest stainless tube I can think of would be from an exhaust shop.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

There are designs out there for making distillers out of 5 gal food grade pails using a low heat source. I'm sure they could be modified to use battery power of some other low level heat source.

http://www.amazingstill.com/

It's a free download (this one), so I have the pdf if you need.

I've also seen tabletop plug in types.

http://www.moonshine-still.com/
http://www.brewhaus.com/EasyStillSUP...ler-P1031.aspx


:coolbeer:

Re: Stainless steel case
 

I already know how to make a solar distillary, and collect water naturally from the earth/trees, etc.

This project is stricty for distilling swamp or lake water, and I want something extremely portable that is tough enough to be thrown on a fire.


Ash - Thanks for the LOLs regatrding WTC steel.
:cry1:

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Re: Stainless steel case
 

I don't understand it to be complicated. Boil water in a contained vessel with only one port for the steam to escape, into a tube. Direct steam through a cooling tube. Collect condensed water. Let cool. Drink.

Is it not that simple?

*I'm not being sarcastic*

Re: Stainless steel case
 

MOONSHINE! :)

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Consider removing your "tough enough to be thrown on a fire" requirement, and you will have many more options to choose from. Cheaper too, I'm sure.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Boiling dirty water separates the solids and minerals, which will clog your condenser and turn the whole thing into a grenade! Like I said, there are filters that will make swamp water drinkable. If you want to distill a certain compound out of a mixture the heat needs to be regulated as different liquids boil at different temps.
Another thing if there are chemicals in the swamp water and you boil it in a closed system the escaping steam contains all the chemicals.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

I'd agree....if all your are after is drinking water, it's hard to beat a Kadyn filter....backpack models right on up.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

No, over filling the vessel is a major cause for priming. You'd be surprised how high solids can jump from the surface of your boil to the condenser coil, then they get pushed up with pressure and cause a huge mess. I learned this all from steam boilers and engines.

Also, there are different stills for different purposes, pot still, reflux stills, fractionating column (a pure type of reflux still)

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Any ideas how I could clean out a copper hot water cylinder?
Say when TSHTF I am living in New Zealand, where home distilling is legal. I have a 50 year old copper cylinder which has been out of use and empty for 25 years. So, in order to set up a legal and safe still, I need to make sure it is clean inside before I start distilling. I'm sure it would be very tarnished inside, but the openings are too small to get a hand or scrubbing device into it. I have plenty of clean water to rinse it with, and would use lead free solder to make the still if this situation were ever to occur.
All thoughts welcome...

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Acid, try vinegar

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If I had a still, there is no fucen way I'd be run'n water thru it.

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Re: Stainless steel case
 

The acid from the tomatoes would clean it I guess? That amount of tomato juice would be pretty pricey though, the cylinder is a 50 gallon one!
I do have 38% hydrochloric acid though, I presume it would perform the same job once diluted? Just need lots of rinses afterwards?

Re: Stainless steel case
 

For cleaning copper, dilute HCL should be pretty good. Follow with a basic solution to neutralize the acid, then rinse repeatedly with water and you should be good to go.

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Well, I know what'll be happening next time I spend a few days at my BO place... HIC!

Re: Stainless steel case
 

Thanks for the info in this thread. You have deterred me from making the portable distillary, but that's obviously a good thing. I assumed that by boiling the water and condensing the steam, I would remove all impurities. Seems I was wrong, so thanks.