Review of new products “CoolSteel” (2019): RK, 400 Magnum, 51 and 500

MZBO began 2019 with the release of a new collection of moonshine stills. Let’s get acquainted with the new products together and see how far the company’s staff has stepped towards the needs of advanced distillers.

Stills

They are offered in capacities of 20, 25, 37 and 50 liters based on Luxstahl pots. MOHBO gives the customer a choice between cheaper cubes made from AISI 201 or an expensive option made from AISI 304. This is good.

The lids of the cubes remained the same, equipped with a fitting for an electronic thermometer and a pressure cooker safety valve, alas, with a too high response threshold.

U-shaped silicone gaskets, clamps – adjustable, stainless steel. For 20 liter cubes, the lids are standard thin, cross-reinforced clamps for secure fastening of light columns. For larger cubes, the lids are reinforced with a thickness of 3 mm.

The cubes are provided with threaded fittings for a tap for draining stillage, and starting from a 37 liter cube, it is possible to install a clamp under the heating element.

Of the novelties, there were models of cubes with a capacity of 25, 37 and 50 liters with a zigovka for installing a false bottom and marking the volume of the filled liquid.

For some reason, the false bottom itself is still offered on four 8 cm legs, apparently for unification.

Refrigerators and dephlegmators

The range of CoolSteeel refrigerators has expanded significantly.

For 1,5” columns, coolers with a length of 35 cm with 5 baffles and 4 tubes with an outer diameter of 12 mm with a power of up to 2,5-3 kW are offered, and with 7 tubes with an outer diameter of 8 mm and a power of up to 3-3,5 kW. They correspond to reflux condensers 20 cm long. In a reflux condenser with 4 tubes of 12 mm and 3 partitions, the steam speed at the working capacity of the column allows us to talk about stability and easy controllability.

A reflux condenser with 7 tubes of 8 mm at operating capacities has a steam velocity much higher than the limiting 3 m/s. When using the SPN, it is possible to work with it, but it is definitely problematic with the on-load tap-changer.

Naturally, everything is evaluated for nominal modes corresponding to the maximum (pre-choke) power. The quality of backfilling of the SPN can reduce the pre-choke capacity by 10%, as for the on-load tap-changer, here the density of wad twisting affects even more. Plus the degree of insulation of the column, etc. A decrease in power leads to a decrease in the amount of steam and, accordingly, its speed in the dephlegmator tubes.

For 2” columns, refrigerators with a length of 35 cm with 5 baffles and 50 cm with 7 baffles are offered, each with 7 steam tubes with an outer diameter of 12 mm, capable of utilizing up to 4,5 and 6 kW, respectively. Dephlegmators with lengths of 20 and 25 cm and 3 baffles ensure stable operation of the columns thanks to 7 steam tubes with an internal diameter of 10 mm.

The former dephlegmators 15 and 20 cm long with 3 baffles and 7 steam tubes of 8 mm inner diameter are also offered, but the steam speed under operating conditions is too high for normal operation in rectification mode.

Of the novelties, condensers based on Dimroth refrigerators, made of 6 mm stainless steel tube 4 meters long, are of particular interest.

This is a powerful 35 cm high refrigerator, free from the possibility of airing and providing high precision column control. Fastening to the drawer side with a clamp connection makes it versatile and easy to maintain. The refrigerator is able to utilize up to 3,5-4 kW of useful power.

RK “CoolSteel” with steam selection

This is one of the most interesting innovations. The column diameter is 2 inches. The combined selection unit allows you to select “heads” by liquid or steam to choose from, and then switch to the selection of “body” by steam to the dephlegmator. The selection unit has a nipple for mounting an electronic thermometer. The narrowing of the diameter due to the glass-type selection unit is very useful here. This improves the controllability and productivity of the column when selecting the “body” for steam.

The column cooler is made in a pipe with a diameter of 38 mm with 5 partitions and 5 tubes with a diameter of 8 mm, it is able to utilize power up to 2,2-2,5 kW in nominal mode with a good margin. With accelerated distillation of mash, it is possible to work with capacities up to 3 kW, but this is already without a margin, depending on the temperature of the cooling water, moonshine can come out warm.

The refrigerator has a non-removable sampling spout and TSA and a fitting for receiving phlegm from the “heads” liquid sampling unit.

The Dimroth condenser simplifies the distiller’s life by allowing simple and easy regulation of vapor condensation without overcooling the phlegm.

The 50 cm long drawer included in the kit with a thermometer sleeve and an on-load tap is suitable only for obtaining fortified moonshine from fruit mash, and then the degree of purification will be poor. To use the device for the purpose of rectification, you need to buy an additional drawer with a length of 50 to 100 cm, and preferably an SPN nozzle. In this regard, the manufacturer’s recommendations are unambiguous and realistic.

On the whole, the CoolSteel steam recovery steam generator is well designed and manufactured to a good level of quality. The column is suitable for both beginners and experienced distillers who do not want to bother with large volumes of bulk and automatic selection speed control. Working with this column is simple and affordable.

Moonshine still “CoolSteel 400 Magnum”

It is a one and a half inch beer column both with steam extraction after the reflux condenser and with the possibility of full liquid selection. For this, it is fully equipped.

Shell-and-tube 20 cm dephlegmator and 35 cm cooler with baffles and 4 steam tubes of 12 mm each allow you to confidently and stably conduct processes at the working capacity of the column. When distilling mash, the refrigerator can utilize up to 2,5-3 kW and provide a capacity of up to 6 l / h, which is quite acceptable for home conditions. The spout for distillate removal is made constructively competently and allows you to confidently work with the device in the potstill mode.

The angular liquid sampling unit allows you to select not only the “heads”, but also the “body”. Its presence makes it possible to fully automate the entire process. In the basic version, the BC comes with a needle adjustment valve for extraction and an aftercooler. All water connections are reliable – on a standard ½ inch plumbing thread.

The dephlegmator in this set is not superfluous, it allows you to work with the aroma basket without any problems.

To work in rectification mode, you need an additional drawer and a SPN nozzle, and also insulate the column and distillation cube. The rest is enough to start mastering the process and get a decent result.

The CoolSteel 400 Magnum is a complete beer column, fully equipped for both steam and liquid extraction.

Of course, for fans of alcohol, the device is not so perfect as to replace the RK. But for an amateur distiller dealing with a wide variety of raw materials and the target product, a column of this design can be useful.

Modernization “CoolSteel 51”

The device received a new shell-and-tube refrigerator and a dephlegmator with 7 tubes with an outer diameter of 12 mm. This made it possible to ensure an acceptable steam speed and stable operation at operating heating capacities. Updated selection spout with TCA is great for potstill mode. The column has a top extraction unit, but the aftercooler and adjustment needle valve for extraction must be purchased separately.

In general, the modernization has transferred the apparatus into the category of high-performance mash columns with the possibility of re-equipment to any required level.

Equipment

All devices are equipped with a modern plumbing kit with quick-detachable connections, electronic thermometers, on-load tap-changers in the quantity necessary to fill the base drawers.

In addition to the basic set, you can purchase a diopter, a gin basket, a lower selection unit, drawstrings, etc.

The quality of the

Judging by the discounted units that appeared on the site, the company began a struggle for quality. Scratched or worn parts are offered to consumers at discounted prices. This approach initially inspires confidence in the manufacturer and the hope that there will be no unpleasant surprises in the package with the equipment.

This is also confirmed by our colleagues who have recently received MZBO equipment.

The quality of the welds is not jewelry-exhibition, but working and reliable. Let’s see real photos.

As you can see, everything is worthy, but there are, of course, weaknesses. If the clamp for the heating element looks normal from the outside, then the word “quality” does not fit the internal weld. There is no preparation, the welder just somehow chewed on the protruding parts. Possibly teeth.

conclusions

1. MZBO in a short time has done a lot of work to update the model range and improve product quality.
2. Of the past controversial equipment, only dephlegmators for 1,5” columns with 7 tubes of 8 mm outer diameter, and for 2” columns – with 7 tubes of 10 mm outer diameter remained. Kits with these reflux condensers have remained problematic as they were.
3. Along with the well-proven CoolSteel 500, you can safely look at very good new products: CoolSteel RK with steam selection, CoolSteel 400 Magnum, CoolSteel 51.
4. Apparently, MZBO was the first in Russia to frankly offer the consumer a choice and differentiated prices for stills made from food grade AISI 304 and its lower quality substitute AISI 201.
5. Individual components are also worth considering for those wishing to modernize their columns or try new control methods.

Reviewed by IgorGor.

Previous review of CoolSteel.