This blog provides information for educational purposes only. Read our complete summary for more info.
Bubble Plate Column vs. Hybrid Column
What Type Of Still Should I Buy?
We get a lot of questions on the difference between our 8 gallon bubble plate column still and our 8 gallon standard "hybrid" column stills.
The question we hear the most is "Which Column is best for making ____ final product?" The answer is "It Depends." In general, columns can be categorized into three different groups: forced reflux, reflux and non-reflux columns. Use the following guidelines for selecting the column that will work best for the product you want to make (assuming you have the proper permits).
Clawhammer's Hybrid Column:
This is our original column design and it is the most popular column that we sell. The reason we sell more of this design is the fact that this column is multi-functional. The hybrid column can be used to distill many different final products. This column falls into both categories -- it can be both a reflux and non-reflux column depending on how it is used.
If you run the hybrid column without any packing it will run like a pot still. When running unpacked the first run will start in the range of 100-110 proof and the proof will drop from there. If the column is packed the column will start producing higher (between 140-160 proof) depending on the amount of packing, the starting ABV of the wash, and how quickly the still is running, and will drop from there.
Using our hybrid column allows you to easily add or remove packing depending on the product you are distilling. To add natural reflux simply add copper packing material to the column. If you want to remove the reflux simply don't add the copper packing to the column. Also- the amount of packing added to the column will affect how much reflux the column creates. These are some basic guidelines for adding packing to our hybrid columns.
- Add 1-2 scrubbers to column of a 1 gallon still.
- Add 4-8 scrubbers to the column of a 5 gallon still.
- Add 5-10 scrubbers to the column of a 8 gallon still.
- Add 7-13 scrubbers to the column of a 10 gallon still.
The hybrid column is best for: Everything except fuel alcohol, gin, vodka.
Clawhammer's Bubble Plate Column:
The bubble plate column is an another type of reflux column and is a better option for fuel alcohol, vodka and gin (assuming you have the proper permits) than an open, non-reflux column. The bubble plate column was designed to offer higher average proof while simultaneously stripping nearly all of the flavor from the final product. If the end goal is to create a high proof final product with little flavor than this is the column you want to select. And if maximizing proof is your goal, a dephlegmator should be used as well (more on that below).
How The Bubble Plate Column Works:
Vapor comes into contact with the plates and caps inside the column; causing vapor to condense back into a liquid. As vapor rises, it condenses and pools. Some liquid drips back down through the column, some of the vapor moves on. The liquid that falls is eventually forced back up though the caps and plates. This process of being forced to run though the caps and plates multiple times creates an end product that has essentially been distilled multiple times in a single run, which results in a higher proof when compared to an empty column. The bubble plates have perform a similar function as the copper packing in the hybrid column, but does so more efficiently. When running a bubble plate column the first run will start in the range of 145-170 proof and the proof will drop from there.
Although we don't endorse true reflux technology for the production of traditional whiskey, we do endorse it for making fuel alcohol, vodka and gin.
Forced Reflux Stills
You can achieve even higher proof by adding a dephlegmator to the top of the bubble plate column, which actually forces reflux to take place. A dephlegmator basically a condenser that attaches to the top of the column. Water is ran though the dephlegmator which condenses some of the vapor that passes by it, sending the liquid back down the still. However, it does not condense everything depending on the temperature, allowing high proof vapor to pass through, increasing the average proof of the final product.
When using a dephlegmator it is best to attach a hose with cooling water in the range 175-185 degrees Fahrenheit. It is best practice to monitor the cooling water temperature going into the dephlegmator. Using the water from the output on the condenser on our stills as the input of the cooling water for the dephlegmator works well.
If a dephlegmator is attached above the bubble plate it will start producing between 170-193 depending on the amount of cooling in the dephletmator, the starting ABV of the wash, and how quickly the still is running.
The bubble plate column dephlegmator combo is our best option for fuel alcohol, gin, vodka.
Hello
Looking for a small 1 gallon still and want to know soup to nuts on what to purchase, main goal is vodka and flavored vodka. Do the whiskey flavors work for vodka?
Can you provide a stock list
curious if I were to buy the essenti8al oil setup with the boiler and the still, could I use it essentially as a steam jacket boiler and make whiskey with the mash in the still and use the boiler for the steam and heat source so i don’t scorch the solids in my still? would this work well, or would I most likely loose too much heat?
Hi, Newbie here. Firmly believe in buy it once buy it right. would like to make all products (brandy, whiskey, gin and vodka). this is going to be a father/sons adventure! Thinkings of hybrid still which can be used for all settings. 10-20 gal.
range. complete setup would be best. Thanks for your input
Not so much a comment as a question and It might be a stupid question of that but what is the difference between your still and your distiller
heLlo thanks for the explanation I want to make vodka and gin so i want buy a bubble plated column as u recommend and I want to understand the relation between the volume of the boiler and the number of the plates in the column , also if their a video explainig how to operate such kind of still I will be happy to watch it, best regards .
In this day and age it’s unusual to get advice, recipes, tips and general support from a company without making a purchase first. Emmett has been very generous with his advise and suggestions and I haven’t even bought anything…………. yet.
I would like to buy a still I can make every type of drink with including flavors. I am thinking the 8 gallon Hybrid what do you think.
Looking for a complete 10 gallon set up ….soup to nuts
Yes I’m a beginner, just looking for a new hobby… but want outside set up
Thanks ,
Rob D
I’ve very interested in your 10gallon copper still. However, I really like the idea of having a thumper keg that will allow me to experiement with different flavors, such as adding fruit to give brandy different flavors. Is there any option for this? Thank you!
What is the best indoor still to buy…
I need a complete set of a still with out buying any add ones. beginner and just want to buy and make booze. say around the 5 gal of less. Is electric a still a better buy for a beginner?
Hello! I want to buy everything I need to make Tequila – as I see in the comments the Bubble plate would not be recomended for flavorful spirits. Could someone please take 5 minutes to suggest everything I would need! I am looking at a 5 or 8 gallon Stil – THANK YOU! (I am a beginner by the way)
I’m interested in a bigger 26 gal still.
I am interested in smaller (3 Gal) stainess steel stills that i could make grappa. my relatives in italy make and send me their grappa offerings and i want be able to send them some back.
In your E-Distilling book you speak of inserting the copper scrubbers in the column page 5. What are copper scrubbers I don’t see any other info about them.
i am interested in a 8 gallon still kit i really dont know what one to get for a beginner can you recommend one
As Always Thanks Guys, Money Is Funny As You Probably Know Yourselves, Just Haven’t Had ANY Extra, Hopefully, The New Year Will Change This!
We USE THESE SMALL STILLS TO TEST DIFFERENT PRODUCTS AT DAWSON DISTILLERY IN LEIGHTON, ALA. wE FOUND OUT VERY QUICKLY THE BUBBLE PLATE TOTALLY STRIPES THE FLAVOR FROM YOUR SPIRITS. SO IF YOU ARE INTO JUST VODKA AND GIN, ETC…THEN USE THE BUBBLE PLATE. BUT IF YOU WANT A SPIRIT THAT HAS FLAVOR AND BODY…GO STRICTLY WITH THE HYBRID.
I make sipping whiskey. I do not make fuel yet. I think this would be good for making fuel, but not for drinking. For drinking, go cold and slow. The hotter the still-the hotter the drink. Cheers, Jim