How to Upgrade your Grainfather for Distilling

Are you a passionate home brewer looking to diversify into making your own spirits? Or maybe you are bored of brewing beer and want to spruce it up a little? This post will guide you through upgrading your Grainfather to work as a still, from some basic distilling tips to a full buying guide on what you need, you should know exactly what you need to do next after reading this.

Currently, you can only upgrade your G30 but within the next month, there will be a new attachment which will allow you to upgrade the other models including S40, S70 etc.

Dome or T500 Condensor?

Before purchasing additional equipment to upgrade your Grainfather, it’s important to consider how you plan to distil your spirits. For beginners, we recommend starting with the T500 Condenser. This condenser is designed to strip all the flavour from your wash, which allows you to create your own flavour profile using our range of flavourings.

T500 Condensor

The T500 Condenser is a popular choice for beginners because it’s easy to use and produces consistent results. It works by heating the wash in the boiler of the Grainfather and then passing it through a column filled with copper packing material. As the vapour passes through the column, it’s cooled and condensed, which separates the alcohol from the water and other impurities in the wash.

To use the T500 Condenser with your Grainfather, you’ll need to purchase a distilling lid that can be attached to the top of the system. The T500 Condenser is available in both stainless steel and copper, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs and budget.

There are a few extras we recommend too but for a full guide on distilling a wash with the T500 and what you need, make sure to check out our guide here.

Alembic Dome

If you’re looking to bring out the flavours of your wash and experiment with botanicals, you’ll want to consider purchasing the Alembic Dome and Pot Still Condenser. This equipment allows you to add botanicals to your wash and bring out unique flavours and aromas in your spirits. The overall cost of the Alembic Dome and Pot Still Condenser is roughly the same as the T500 Condenser.

To use the Alembic Dome and Pot Still Condenser with your Grainfather, you’ll need to replace the boiler lid with the dome section. This allows the vapour to pass through the dome and condense, separating the alcohol from the water and other impurities in the wash.

One of the key benefits of the Alembic Dome and Pot Still Condenser is its ability to bring out the flavours of your wash. By adding botanicals such as herbs, spices, or fruits to your wash, you can create a unique and flavorful spirit. This equipment is a great choice for more experienced distillers who are looking to experiment with different flavours and aromas in their spirits.

Do I need any other Equipment?

While the Alembic Dome and Pot Still Condenser or T500 Reflux Still are the main components you need to upgrade your Grainfather to a still, there are some optional extras that you may find helpful.

One of these extras is the Filter Pro, which is a compact filter unit that can be used to filter your spirits after distillation. The Filter Pro removes impurities and unwanted flavours from your spirits, resulting in a smoother and cleaner taste. While the Filter Pro is not strictly necessary, it can be a useful addition if you want to take your spirits to the next level.

If you are going to be using the T500 reflux condenser, you may want to consider the still spirits water flow regulator too. This allows you to control the water flow when cooling down the alcohol vapour resulting in more precision and consistent results.

Summary

In summary, if you’re interested in distilling spirits and already own a Grainfather, upgrading your system to be used as a still can save you the money of buying a separate T500 boiler and give you a great head start in your new venture. Whether you choose the Alembic Dome and Pot Still Condenser or the T500 Reflux Still, both options offer unique advantages that can help you produce high-quality spirits from the comfort of your home. While optional extras like the Filter Pro or the Still Spirits Water Flow Regulator can enhance the quality of your spirits, they’re not strictly necessary and the decision to invest in them will depend on your personal preferences and the level of quality you’re aiming for.