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12/21/11, 03:26 AM
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Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: West Central Arkansas
Posts: 3,611
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Still
I have always wanted a still. Not an 800 gallon whiskey distiller but one to extract oils from plants with. I made one this last spring using a ss stock pot double boiler with a jar in the center. Put a school house globe on top with ice and it worked out fine . Got a little lavender oil. Typed in moonshine still and pulled up a site for Colonel Vaughn in Mulberry Ar. 12-25 hundred dollars for his stuff.  A friend in Texas bought one like on the picture and it works real good. I drove down there and he put on a demonstration at the lavender conference. Now on the Discovery channel they are showing moonshiners ( another thread) There are some I found made in another country that are only 80-200 dollars and all copper. I know they are not made in America, but what would you do?  There is also a 12 month waiting period on the one made locally
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12/21/11, 03:56 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 7,802
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Quote:
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There are some I found made in another country that are only 80-200 dollars and all copper. I know they are not made in America, but what would you do? There is also a 12 month waiting period on the one made locally
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For me it would depend on what country it was made in and whether or not I could be assured the materials used were really what is advertised and if it was reliably crafted. I would want to know if there was any guarantees that came with it. I don't know anything about stills for making essential oils but I would be suspicious about the reliability and the materials used to make a $200 copper still. That seems kind of cheap to me so I would be concerned about it being constructed from cheap materials. I would wonder if it was pure copper or if it was copper plate over top of a toxic metal or perhaps plated over aluminum. I would wonder if any toxic materials had gone into the making of it. So I would want assurances about all of those things.
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12/21/11, 04:24 AM
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Born in the wrong Century
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,067
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I'd make it myself.As far as I know though a still is in the eyes of the Feds is illegal. oil extraction or not.
look up "essential oil" still. rather then moonshine.
this is a nice one and it details the operation rather well,
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12/21/11, 05:59 AM
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Moderator
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Join Date: May 2002
Location: Ontario
Posts: 12,685
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__________________
Do not meddle in the affairs of Dragons, for you are crunchy and good with ketchup........
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12/21/11, 06:55 AM
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On my way home
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Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Grant Co. WV/ Washington Co, Md
Posts: 1,167
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ||Downhome||
I'd make it myself.As far as I know though a still is in the eyes of the Feds is illegal. oil extraction or not.
look up "essential oil" still. rather then moonshine.
this is a nice one and it details the operation rather well,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3OqSlm4TBM |
Depends on the state. It is legally made in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. I have a neighbor who has 2 stills going
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12/21/11, 07:42 AM
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Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: northcentral MN
Posts: 14,383
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What about using glass labware? We sell some of our outdated labware on eBay sometimes. I remember seeing a condenser a couple of years ago. Glass is fragile but it's safe as far as toxicity.
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"I'm not sure that man needs the help." Calvin
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12/21/11, 07:48 AM
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Born in the wrong Century
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,067
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mountainlaurel
Depends on the state. It is legally made in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Tennessee and Kentucky. I have a neighbor who has 2 stills going
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must of missed the FED part, as in Federal. They really don't care what the state says....
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12/21/11, 08:14 AM
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Singletree Moderator
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Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 8,849
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Back in the 1950's stories have it my grandfather used my grandmothers stainless steel pressure canner with flanged copper tube bolted onto the lid in place of the weight valve and the tube run through an ice chest as a condenser as his brandy pot still.
It was always a family joke that while he convinced his highly religious wife to tolerate his making 17% homemade wine by using the turned water into wine defense , he always waited until she went off for her usual yearly church sponsored tabernacle in the woods two week camp meeting to modify her canning supplies to make his 60 to 70 proof fruit flavored happy water.
If I want something stronger than my usual homemade wine I just go to the liquor store and buy a bottle of PGA to fortify blend some wine with as it's both simple and legal.
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"I didn't have time to slay the dragon. It's on my To Do list!"
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12/21/11, 08:34 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 712
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ||Downhome||
must of missed the FED part, as in Federal. They really don't care what the state says....
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The Fed says a lot of things. Doesn't mean they're right...
Sometimes life is about a capacity for risk.
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12/21/11, 08:58 AM
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Born in the wrong Century
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,067
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cascade Failure
The Fed says a lot of things. Doesn't mean they're right...
Sometimes life is about a capacity for risk.
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I did not say they where, more or less pointing out the risk.
I'm descended from the folks they originally started taxing.
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12/21/11, 09:14 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: CT
Posts: 712
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ||Downhome||
I did not say they where, more or less pointing out the risk.
I'm descended from the folks they originally started taxing.
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I just wonder what our descendants will say about us.
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12/21/11, 10:37 AM
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Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: north Alabama
Posts: 10,815
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I have and use a water distiller regularly for the distilled water I have to drink. Having a still is not the issue. Making the hootch and avoiding taxes is the issue. Personally, after reading about the whisky rebellion, I think it was one of the first areas where the government got out of control. Import and export tariffs were a far better source of government revenue.
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George Washington did not run and hide.
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12/21/11, 10:49 AM
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Banned
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Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: British Columbia
Posts: 3,590
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From that same website that Ross posted, this copper and glass one imported from Spain for $200 looks nice for small scale distilling. Also, it says it has a lifetime guarantee. It's certainly beautiful to look at. http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Def...1&promo=xsells
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12/21/11, 01:14 PM
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Born in the wrong Century
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,067
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Harry Chickpea
Having a still is not the issue.
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umm your wrong, Don't believe me call the ATF. I blew the Agents mind, mostly cause I suppose hes never been South and Dealt with Ridge Runners.
it is illegal to own a Still, and or make anything stronger then Wine or Beer.
I was very clear on the Question, he had to check to see if I was correct or not. After reviewing the Law his consensus was a still is a still is a still and from the enforcement side is Illegal to own or posses.
Now though at first thought I was splitting hairs but then agreed that it would be best not to leave that door open.
He is in Enforcement the ATF also has a Licensing side. So he was unable to answer about registering a still. Which would make it legal.
other wise if it came down to it and they leveled allegations that you where producing liquor rather then essential oil. Its up to you at the point to disprove the case. Evidence or no.
Call me a worry wort but this climate that the nation is in, they already pretty much do what they want with out any justification. I'm not going to hand them a box of ammo.
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12/21/11, 02:30 PM
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Join Date: May 2004
Location: Indiana
Posts: 2,892
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IIRC, it is also Illegal to use Freezing of Mash, to concentrate the alcohol, in the mix.
It is a simple thing to freeze a lot of the water out of it and pour off the alcohol that's left.
But...it's illegal.
__________________
Be Intense, always. But always take the time to
Smell the Roses, give a Hug, Really Listen, or
Jump to Defend your Friends & What you Believe in.
'Til later, Have Fun,
Old John
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12/21/11, 02:32 PM
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Born in the wrong Century
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Michigan
Posts: 5,067
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Old John
IIRC, it is also Illegal to use Freezing of Mash, to concentrate the alcohol, in the mix.
It is a simple thing to freeze a lot of the water out of it and pour off the alcohol that's left.
But...it's illegal.
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not as noticeable as a still though.
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12/21/11, 08:17 PM
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Registered User
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Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Paumon
From that same website that Ross posted, this copper and glass one imported from Spain for $200 looks nice for small scale distilling. Also, it says it has a lifetime guarantee. It's certainly beautiful to look at. http://www.hammacher.com/Product/Def...1&promo=xsells |
Oooh, I want someone in the States to develop one of these - it's gorgeous =)
My father remembers a stove still his grandfather had when my dad was a child. He also remembers how awful the stuff tasted. I have always wanted to make one for him, for 'old time's sake.'
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12/21/11, 08:25 PM
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Ret. US Army
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 870
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12/22/11, 03:45 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,158
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I got my first still on eBay when it was listed as a water purifyer.
Then I got a better still from http://www.milehidistilling.com/
Then when I got to building them, I would get additional parts and supplies from http://www.brewhaus.com/
Funny thing is I live in a 14th floor condo on the banks of the Potomac facing the Jefferson Memorial and my neighbor two doors down is an ATF agent!
I only distill as a hobby and I do it on the patio in the winter using a turkey fryer burner. There's practically no smell and no one is opening their patio doors in the winter.
Last edited by BillHoo; 12/22/11 at 03:48 PM.
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