By Copper Pot Stills
A copper pot still is a traditional instrument used to produce alcoholic spirits. While this may seem like a relatively minor piece of the distilled spirit industry, it has an important role to play in creating high quality spirits. Adding copper to your still can help improve its functionality and add character to your final product.
Copper is a malleable metal that makes it easy to form into a variety of different Pot Stills shapes. These characteristics make it the ideal material for stills. As a result, distillers have been using copper for the manufacturing of their stills for hundreds of years. In addition to its great chemistry, copper is also a very inexpensive material to work with. The malleability of copper allows for less rivets and plates to be used. Moreover, its thermal conductivity makes it ideal for heating and cooling. It also prevents toxic chemicals from contaminating your distilled spirit.
Copper is particularly good at transferring heat. It can be heated up to 1200 degF (650 degC) in fire flues. This means it can be used to heat up the exterior of a pot still. However, it does require a thick wall to achieve this temperature. If the wall is too thin, the aggressive flames can burn off the surface too quickly.
What Is Copper Pot Stills?
Indirectly heated pot stills are often used today. These stills are designed with specially shaped heating cylinders. Each cylinder is double-walled and is positioned inside the pot so that it stands upright. Steam is then led through the pipes in the heating system of the pot.
The bottom of the pot is typically a slightly conical shape. It provides a way for the vapors from the distillation to pass into the pipe. There are also a number of other elements added to the still to enhance its functionality.
A lyne arm connects the neck of the pot to the condenser. The upper part of the pot is covered by a spherical lid. An electric motor drives the rummager, which is a shaft draped with a chain of interwoven copper rings. After about two or three years of continuous operation, the chain needs to be replaced.
The remaining height of the pot is used for the separation of lighter substances. These lighter substances are typically botanicals and must be included in the gin that is distilled. Many botanicals are hung in baskets in the still neck.
The bottom of the rummager is also subject to abrasion. When it is empty, a cleaning liquid is sprayed on the cylinders. The cleaning liquid is then collected and sent back to the producer.
Whether you are a gin lover or a whiskey enthusiast, copper pot stills are a vital part of the process. The combination of copper’s ability to withstand abrasion and its great thermal conductivity makes it ideal for making great whisky. You can purchase copper pot stills in a variety of sizes and shapes from Spectac. They are also available in a variety of materials, including stainless steel.