Introduction: Making a Relatively Cheap Still (for Distilling Water(for EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY!))
Let's get started learning what distilling is:
1. Purify (a liquid) by vaporizing it, then condensing it by cooling the vapor, and collecting the resulting liquid.
2. Make (something, esp. liquor or an essence) in this way.
Distillation is the method of separating a mixture into its component parts by use of the difference in their boiling points. It normally involves heating the mixture to a temperature at some point just over the boiling point of one, but well below the boiling point of the other. This makes the first one boil off, where it can be collected or discarded, and leaves the other in the original container. The method is often used in oil refinery (fractional distillation is used to split out the different compounds in crude oil) and in liquor and alcoholic beverage creation (to adjust the alcohol content).
Distillation is the one way to clean and purify most water (killing water borne pathogens and even removing most salt from the water).
LAWS: Within the United States, it is ILLEGAL to distill any kind of alcohol without a license.
WARNINGS:
1. this is for informational purposes only and should not be used for illegal activities.
2. DO NOT use an open flame if distilling alcohol. The vapors are HIGHLY flammable. Doing so can result in a huge fire ball!
Here is my disclaimer: What you choose to use this still for is your own doing, and by doing so I will NOT be held liable for anything that happens, or if your busted by the law. I assume NO liability at all. (in other words don't blame me for your bad decisions!)
Lets get started...
Supplies you will need:
- 5 Gallon bucket
- 20 or more feet of 1/4 inch (or size of your choosing. 1/4 inch seems to work best) copper pipe
- Compression fitting for your copper pipe
- 1 gallon metal (plastic lined) paint can (can find them at homedepot for around 5 bucks)
- Thermometer
- JB weld
- 5 minute epoxy
- sandpaper
- wireties
(I hope i haven't missed anything)
I greatly apologize for not showing it being built step by step. I had this made and thought "Damn, should have made a instructable!"
I hope this tutorial will show you somewhat what mine looks like and you'll be able to base your design off of it.
Good luck!
1. Purify (a liquid) by vaporizing it, then condensing it by cooling the vapor, and collecting the resulting liquid.
2. Make (something, esp. liquor or an essence) in this way.
Distillation is the method of separating a mixture into its component parts by use of the difference in their boiling points. It normally involves heating the mixture to a temperature at some point just over the boiling point of one, but well below the boiling point of the other. This makes the first one boil off, where it can be collected or discarded, and leaves the other in the original container. The method is often used in oil refinery (fractional distillation is used to split out the different compounds in crude oil) and in liquor and alcoholic beverage creation (to adjust the alcohol content).
Distillation is the one way to clean and purify most water (killing water borne pathogens and even removing most salt from the water).
LAWS: Within the United States, it is ILLEGAL to distill any kind of alcohol without a license.
WARNINGS:
1. this is for informational purposes only and should not be used for illegal activities.
2. DO NOT use an open flame if distilling alcohol. The vapors are HIGHLY flammable. Doing so can result in a huge fire ball!
Here is my disclaimer: What you choose to use this still for is your own doing, and by doing so I will NOT be held liable for anything that happens, or if your busted by the law. I assume NO liability at all. (in other words don't blame me for your bad decisions!)
Lets get started...
Supplies you will need:
- 5 Gallon bucket
- 20 or more feet of 1/4 inch (or size of your choosing. 1/4 inch seems to work best) copper pipe
- Compression fitting for your copper pipe
- 1 gallon metal (plastic lined) paint can (can find them at homedepot for around 5 bucks)
- Thermometer
- JB weld
- 5 minute epoxy
- sandpaper
- wireties
(I hope i haven't missed anything)
I greatly apologize for not showing it being built step by step. I had this made and thought "Damn, should have made a instructable!"
I hope this tutorial will show you somewhat what mine looks like and you'll be able to base your design off of it.
Good luck!
Step 1: Making Your "pot"
Drill a hole just big enough to let the thermometer slide in. pull it out and rough up the can around the hole a little with the sand paper. put down some JB weld, slide the thermometer back in, and apply a little more to make sure it's sealed up good and tight
The jb weld will ensure that there are no leaks.
Note: While your at the step, drill a hole to allow the compression fitting to fit into it nice and SNUG!
The jb weld will ensure that there are no leaks.
Note: While your at the step, drill a hole to allow the compression fitting to fit into it nice and SNUG!
Step 2: Create Your Condenser
With your copper tubing and your bucket, begin by drilling on the side, at the very bottom (just big enough for a snug fit around the tubing) pull about 6 or so inches through the hole and begin to spiral the tubing around the inside (try to maintain a constant downward slope).
Tilt the "spout" downward as well
Rough up the plastic and copper a little where it exits the bucket and use your "5 Minute Epoxy" to seal the hole.
You may find it necessary to drill a hole and wire tie the tubing and spot to hold it steady and secure, wherever you drill, rough it up, and use some epoxy to seal it!
Tilt the "spout" downward as well
Rough up the plastic and copper a little where it exits the bucket and use your "5 Minute Epoxy" to seal the hole.
You may find it necessary to drill a hole and wire tie the tubing and spot to hold it steady and secure, wherever you drill, rough it up, and use some epoxy to seal it!
Step 3: Let It All Dry
let all the epoxy dry and setup. (approx 1 day)
Nows a good time to take a break!
Nows a good time to take a break!
Step 4: Connect It All, and Begin Distilling
Im wrapping this tutorial up for now as i can no longer feel my fingers, or my hands for that matter.
Fill the "pot" with what every liquid you want to distill (water), fill the condenser bucket with water (you can add some ice as well).
begin heating it up and distilling.
Whatever you are distilling you will need to research the temperatures to use.
REMEMBER: I assume NO responsibility for what you choose to use this still for.. What you use it for is based on your own decision.
Note: I recommend only distilling water.
Note: I will edit and add onto this tutorial as needed. but for now I hope this help get some folks headed in the right direction into the magical world of science! :P
Fill the "pot" with what every liquid you want to distill (water), fill the condenser bucket with water (you can add some ice as well).
begin heating it up and distilling.
Whatever you are distilling you will need to research the temperatures to use.
REMEMBER: I assume NO responsibility for what you choose to use this still for.. What you use it for is based on your own decision.
Note: I recommend only distilling water.
Note: I will edit and add onto this tutorial as needed. but for now I hope this help get some folks headed in the right direction into the magical world of science! :P