I have been making wine in my basement for over 10 years and have always wanted to try my hand at making brandy.  So, I decided to try it out.

I started out with an aluminum stock pot; I really wanted a stainless steel pot, but all the ones I found had tempered glass tops and I needed one with a steel top I could clamp down.

Next was a trip to the hardware store for copper tubing and fittings.  At first, my thought was to create a coil out of 3/8" flex copper, but I decided on a cold-water system instead.  After all, I would be boiling on the stove and the sink is close by.

To use water in the condenser, I would need to create a tube within a tube.  I decided on 1/2" tubing for the interior and 1" for the exterior.  I purchased various fittings and tees:

The first challenge was to get the 1/2" tubing through the reducer coupling - not a big challenge, but a challenge nonetheless.  The fitting has two tangs on the inside to prevent the 1/2" tubing from being inserted too far.  I filed these down with a needle file which allowed the tubing to go through.

Next, I drilled a hole through the metal top to allow the male adaptor to be secured.

I mocked everything up and once I was satisfied I soldered everything together.  The extra 1" tube perpendicular to the condenser is to support the weight of the system.

The two 1" copper tees have 3/4" legs which I will connect to the sink's faucet via vinyl tubing.  I will fit the faucet with a 3/4" dishwasher quick connector.  The return will simply empty into the sink.

I was done within two hours time - including a quick polish job.  The copper looks really nice when it's polished, but it won't last long.

Parts & Prices:

• 1 Aluminum Stock Pot                            $14.00
• 10' 1" Copper Tubing                               19.20
• 4' 1/2" Copper Tubing                                7.50
• 1 1/2" Copper Elbow 45                              .91
• 1 1/2" Copper Elbow 90                              .50
• 6' 3/4" Vinyl Tubing                                    7.90
• 1 3/8" Brass Coupling                                 3.78
• 1 1/2" Copper Male Adapter                        .91
• 2 1" Copper Tee                                      15.34
• 4 1" to 1/2" Copper Coupling                   13.92
• 1 55/64 Dishwasher Quick Connector        3.96

         Total                                                        $87.92

One aluminum stock pot - $14; one trip to the hardware store - $74; creating something whose use is a direct violation of the laws of the Unites States of America - wait, what?