Introducing The “Student” Birectifier

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Purchase at my workshop’s big cartel store, the Houghton Street Foundry.

Learn more about the birectifier.

Developing a Birectifier Heating Routine.

This tool has been available since 2018 (formerly an $1800 kit that came with consulting) and has found its way into many important distilleries as far away as Vietnam. One distillery bought two and employs a dedicated operator. Another distillery hit a home run using it to survey malt influence for developing their signature mash bill. Another has been using it to hone their boundary pushing ferments and probe their spirit’s maturation. I personally find it incredibly valuable for developing gin formulations and monitoring quality control.

I am finally offering my own version of the birectifier for sale! I’m calling the first version, the “student” birectifier, where both you & I are the students (me of glassblowing & you of analysis). This will differ from an eventual final version where more premium fittings are used (thermometer fittings & condenser fittings). There will also be some differences in workmanship. In some ways, I’ve surpassed the quality of the original manufacturer (due to extreme practice!), but in a few bends I’m functional, but not flawless (graded B+).

20 student birectifiers will be available for $525, before the pro model is released for $900. Shipping will be confined to the U.S. (with just a few exceptions). A few have already sold so that number is counting down!

What this project strives for is to create the minimum of analysis any distillery should be capable of in house. The birectifier has proved so useful as a tool, I was motivated to start blowing the glass myself to dramatically lower the price. I’ve tried to be incredibly competitive (with doing nothing!) so that we can get as many distillers introduced to analysis as possible.

What is included: Birectifier distilling column & custom condenser (+ misc fittings). Below, I will address the minimum of accessories needed to run the column.

[The inner chamber is packed with salt to support features during shipment.]

What is the difference between the student model and pro model? There may only be 20 student models before only the pro model is offered. Other differences are:

• The student birectifier features basic GL14 thermometer fittings and classic barbs on the condenser.
• The pro birectifier features luxury Ace thread thermometer fittings and screw on GL14 condenser fittings.
• The student birectifier has some butt joints where glass was recycled whereas the pro birectifier is as flawless as possible.
• Both student and pro feature high end Ace ball & socket connectors joining the column to the condenser to reduce chances of breakage during assembly and breakdown (as opposed to a tapered fitting).
• Each student birectifier is tested with an entire case study to prove it operates properly.

Let me just say glassblowing is extremely challenging. Three things gave me an advantage over the impossible. Salem Community College has an incredible scientific glassblowing program and I took some classes. Glass lathes are incredibly rare & pricey, but I found one nearby that needed some work and I restored it. Being a proficient birectifier operator and understanding the design, allowed me to focus on what was important when gradually mastering the joints & proportions.

Shipping.—An important idea to minimizing the price is to try what I call “high risk shipping”. Most custom scientific glass apparatuses are packaged in an over-the-top mission critical way that really balloons the price. I’ve shipped birectifiers within the U.S. for over $100 because of packaging. Handling time, because of elaborate packing, has also been horrendous. The plan is to accept more risk and try to keep shipping to $30. I will keep an inventory of units, so that if there is a problem, I can simply ship another unit. With enough successful shipments, everyone can save money.

Requisite accessories:

The first 20 student birectifiers will come with 2 1/4″ mercury thermometers (a $100 value!) that were donated to my lab.

500 ml round distilling flask with 24/40 taper. $28
laboratory stands and clamps set. $32
8x 25 ml volumetric flask. 2 pack @ $9 x 4 = $36 [These are abnormally cheap and I would buy extra.]
250 ml volumetric flask. $12
Variac voltage regulator heat controller ***. $60
heating mantle for 500 ml flask †††. $84
5/16″ I.D. condenser hoses (not priced).

Total at the functional minimum—: $252

I’m assuming distilleries have ample tasting glasses & lids. I also frequently use a 5 ml (5000μl) automatic pipette to setup my tastings.

***This particular Variac features an integrated digital voltage output reading which I deem necessary. If your Variac does not have one, you can plug in an inline “kill-a-watt” to add a digital output reading. The heating programs for the birectifier is going to be either measured directly in volts or a percentage of 115 volts. The numbers often range from 40-70. I had success with a Variac, but I typically use a high end Auber voltage regulator, $400.

[Reviews of some of the Chinese variacs are that they are spotty. It may be worth considering a good condition American variac from eBay. My Variac is a high end 18 amp GE. The Glas-col 100B TM106 outputs 270 watts which puts the Amp draw well below 10 and gives a lot of options for high end second hand Variacs (watts = volts * amps).

†††Available budget options on the market seem to change. You cannot rely on any built in temperature control to work. You do not need a stirring option. The best premium option is the Glas-col 100B TM106 for $359. You get what you pay for; as they say: buy once, cry once. If you stretch to spend extra anywhere, I recommend doing it on the heating mantle. If you have a 1000 ml mantle setup for obscuration tests, it will probably work fine. I have successfully eBayed Glas-col mantles, but beware that they may not come with a cord and they use two different types of proprietary cords with no clear pattern of what is actually on the device. I have successfully used a Glas-col “hemispherical” pillow-like heating mantle. A chemistry buddy prefers them. eBay has some good deals on them. Make sure you have an unpainted “ring” for your lab stand to support it.

Feel free to ask any questions you may have.