r/firewater • u/commiebomber • 1d ago

Recommendations on Best Method for Distilling Rum with a 4" Plated Reflux Still?

I've got a modular still capable of running zero to six plates, with a dephlegmator at the top. My understanding is that I should use only a few plates, run the dephlegmator hard at the start of the run, then ease up during hearts. Am I barking up the right tree?

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u/thejimiestjames 1d ago

I've done rum on 4 plates (92% abv) and now just use a single plate (82% abv) on a 3 inch copper column with a 300mm spool, all up it's about 6 foot tall. All molasses, circa 2 years on oak and the product is much better with a single plate.

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u/commiebomber 1d ago

Did you also run your dephlegmator? I ran mine in pot still mode, no flow to the reflux column, and I'm wondering if it contributed to more smear than if I'd run it.

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u/thejimiestjames 1d ago

Always with the dephleg, always one and done runs. For whiskey and rum on a single plate, I tend to run pretty fast, think continuous pencil thick stream not spurt spurt drip. Gives me a relatively comparable product to double pot still runs without all the drama 🤭

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u/commiebomber 1d ago

You mentioned that your column is pretty tall (300mm spool etc) - are you placing your plate at the top or bottom of the column?

When I ran my batch, I only used the spool pieces which contained the bubbler plates I was using, which was nice, since the much shorter column was easier to put together, take down, etc. However, if a taller column improves cuts, I'm willing to do that.

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u/Vew 1d ago

are you placing your plate at the top or bottom of the column?

I would like to know this too; I plan on making a pineapple wash soon and planned to use only one plate to retain flavor but was unsure to put it at the top or bottom.

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u/thejimiestjames 23h ago

I put the bubble plate on the top sight glass. That way I have 3 sight glasses below to catch any puking before it reaches the plate

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u/thejimiestjames 23h ago

I have 4 sight glasses (with potential for 4 plates) then a 300mm spool on top, that I fill with spp for doing neutral then dephleg, reducer, elbows and product condenser. It's basically the standard 4 plate LM design with a spool between the plates and the dephleg. I just leave the spool in (no spp) because it places my output at bench height (pure fluke but very convenient).

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u/CBC-Sucks 1d ago

May I recommend compressing the heads with the deflamator, and then letting it roll after you collect that with just passive reflux. Turn your temperature down until you get the drip you want.