Pot Still and a Column Still
While both pot still and column still have their own unique merits, there are certain key differences between the two. The main difference is that a pot still has a very large, spherical main chamber that serves as the heart of the distillation process. A column still is a system of several chambers stacked one on top of the other. Each of these chambers has a hole in it, allowing the vapor to rise through the holes.
Both are effective, but the Pot Stills is much more efficient in terms of energy used. Despite their efficiency, they are not without their limitations. They are designed to run on a batch-by-batch basis, which means they need to be refilled every time a new batch is made. It also takes a lot of energy to operate, making them inefficient.
Column stills are able to produce spirits that are very high in alcohol content. This is thanks to the condenser that helps cool the vapor so that the ethanol concentration is higher. Often, these stills are made from copper, stainless steel or even a combination of these materials.
What is the Difference Between a Pot Still and a Column Still?
Pot stills, on the other hand, are primarily made of copper. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, and it is often used to attract sulphurous compounds from the final spirit. These sulphurous compounds give the spirits a sour flavor, so they have to be removed before the distillate can be distilled.
The pot still has evolved over the years, though it’s still very simple. In this device, a spherical vessel (usually copper) is heated to vaporize the alcohol. As the vapor rises, it meets up with a set of perforated plates, which provide a surface for the molecules to condense. Some of the lighter molecules make it to the top of the column while others collect closer to the bottom.
The column still has a more complicated design. First, it must be fed. Generally, a Scotch/Irish type is fed with whole beer grains, while a Kentucky type uses filtered beer. Eventually, the vapour travels down the lyne arm into a coiled condenser.
Another simple but effective cooling device is the dephlegmator. This is an arm that connects the neck of the pot still to the condenser. Using a dephlegmator increases reflux inside the still, which allows more of the vapour to escape.
Modern stills are far more sophisticated than they were in the past, and many distillers now have the capability to control the running temperature of the still. This makes it easier for them to judge when it is time to cut from the head to the heart of the spirit.
However, the pot still still remains an excellent way to distill spirits. Despite their shortcomings, they are a good choice for those who want to produce good spirits on a budget. Several of the craft distilleries in the United States use a hybrid pot still, which works in the same fashion as a traditional pot, while allowing for more flexibility. Hybrid stills can be configured to perform like a traditional pot, or they can have one or more columns attached to the pot.
