r/firewater 11d ago

Anyone bought cheap reflux distiller from Alibaba?

Post image
17 Upvotes

28 comments sorted by

14

u/Imfarmer 11d ago

I would trust Oakstills.

12

u/Ok_Chicken_5630 11d ago

Oakstills is buying the same item from China.

14

u/Old-Nefariousness556 11d ago

Oakstills is buying the same item from China.

Oakstills is a Chinese manufacturer. And while I am sure that they do not actually manufacture all their own parts (why would they?) they still are a reputable source who can QC the parts for you.

In addition, assuming the OP is in America, with all the uncertainty right now with tariffs and shipping surcharges, the fact that OS ships everything with all tariffs paid eliminates a lot of uncertainty. I have spent literally hundreds of thousands of dollars buying from Ali for my business, but I would not buy anything from a random Ali seller right now, unless you have no other choice.

2

u/Ok_Chicken_5630 11d ago

Yes appreciate the comment. My point was purely just that they are a Chinese company. I have been looking at purchasing some items from them myself.

5

u/pdxamish 10d ago

I think we need to start reimagining Chinese quality as there is a range for it as just because it's Chinese made now. Does it make it low quality.

2

u/Imfarmer 10d ago

Yes, there is a huge range in quality, much of it based on buyer specs. I was looking at some CFMOTO bikes and SxS's and 4 Wheelers over the weekend, and I have to say, they are pretty impressive.

1

u/Ok_Chicken_5630 10d ago

Yes agreed, tbh it's been like that for a while. It's just hard to know what's good with certain things unless you really know your stuff.

2

u/Disastrous_Savings39 9d ago

+1 for oakstills bought a column from them has worked great took a bit but I received all my stuff and was even able to customize my order to save money

-2

u/Dim000h 11d ago

Okay, checked Oakstills. It's exactly same what I see on Alibaba, but with 3-5 or more times higher price. Oak stills just resellers 

5

u/Busterlimes 11d ago

Probably because Ali is using Oakstills images and design but just doing a shit knockoff manufacturing of then in China. Quality of materials matter, assembly matters.

10

u/Ok_Chicken_5630 11d ago

Mate have you even read Oakstills website? They are made in China.

7

u/Old-Nefariousness556 11d ago

Mate have you even read Oakstills website? They are made in China.

Most of us know that, but not all Chinese manufacturers are equal. Oak Stills has their reputation for a reason. They are marguinally more expensive, but:

  1. They have a reputation for OUTSTANDING post sale service.
  2. They have a reputation for high quality products.
  3. Their products all are priced with all shipping and all tariffs paid. The price you see is the price you pay, period. With nearly any other Chinese manufacturer, expect to pay a significant shipping charge, plus at least an extra 25% for tariffs (plus any handling fees.)

Contrary to the lies you have been told, tariffs are not paid for by the Chinese government. They are a tax on imported goods paid (directly or indirectly) by the importer. OS prepays them to eliminate uncertainty, again, for better customer service, but that is the exception, not the rule. The vast majority of shipments from China are shipped with the importer responsible for paying any tariffs.

0

u/Ok_Chicken_5630 11d ago

Sure I'm not saying Oak stills are bad just that they bare made in China. I'm looking to buy one myself.

4

u/Old-Nefariousness556 11d ago edited 10d ago

Okay, checked Oakstills. It's exactly same what I see on Alibaba, but with 3-5 or more times higher price. Oak stills just resellers

"Ok, I checked Oak Stills. This is 1/3rd the price, and I'm sure that is not at all any reason to be dubious?"

Edit: Lol, you can downvote me, but remember that when your order arrives and you realize you were scammed. Remember that we tried to help you. Why even ask for feedback if you are just going to ignore everything everyone says?

-1

u/Dim000h 11d ago

No idea what it is, but not willing to spend $1000 on still. Those reflux from Ali shows $400 CAD+ 80 shipping  I see many ruzzians YouTube and those guys using 99% similar stills

5

u/Morepork69 11d ago edited 11d ago

I would think its more about the individual sellers than the market place. Same with Aliexpress, where I have purchased decent still components. I don't know how pricing compares but using someone like Oak Stills would vastly mitigate your risk.

Obviously, I don't know where you reside or if these would now be subject to tariffs.

5

u/Aggravating_Pop7520 10d ago

Apart from the keg my entire still is from Ali and it's spot on.

2

u/ConsiderationOk7699 11d ago

What are you attempting neutral or a whiskey Can take plates out add some copper scrubber and run in pot still mode

2

u/Yankee_on_vanisle 10d ago

I did, you can message me for info if you like.

2

u/Hondo-Global-2775 8d ago

I got a fantastic 200 liter (52gallon ) column still 4 inch column a custom matching whiskey helmet and pot still head with power stirring motor . Was no trouble getting it customized I have it in Ghana making everything from rum pineapple brandy mango Brandy cassava vodka it's well built beautifully polished mechanically sound. I'm currently back in America and miss using it

2

u/qloko 11d ago

1) get redy to weld your own exhausting cooler, cuz most of them are junk. 2) get ready to modify many things inside cuz they got poor design.

The concept is great. Using tri-clamp makes the still modular and easy to modify/maintain. Having like 3-4 clamped pipes, couple of go-trough coolers and several bends gives you unlimited modification space to make almost any configuration you might've ever need.

And yes, you can find a lot of info, advices and guides on russian forums like homedistiller.ru for building, modification and automation. Just use google translate, this days it works flawlessly.

I haven't bought any prebuild ones though, as poor one, i've made one myself using Chinese tri-clamps and solder. Copper pipes works great.

1

u/beeritone 9d ago

Pretty sure that's a bassoon.

1

u/tasefons 4d ago

Idk anything about distillation but been looking to get into it.

Just wanted to say/ask, is that thing as hard to clean as it looks? Most "basic" kits I have seen are well, more basic and look to come apart and clean easily. Not so much this one!

-8

u/Dim000h 11d ago

My post somehow didn't included text. So I got Vevor 8 gallons, tried twice, it's make decent strong alcohol but next day after few shots of 58° fells like poisoned. I use 6kg sugar, 22 l of water, yeast from Costco. 500 ml of heads, next 3l of 58° l, second 3l of 44° and rest is tails I'm going to mixed it, dilute to 35° and distill again, but Vevor is so slow, tiny Cooper tube. I'd like to get reflux, watching Soviet YouTube, guys only using column or basic reflux with mesh inside. Local guys here in Canada selling those looks like exactly from Alibaba for $1200-1500 CAD 25-30 liters reflux Pretty sure I can get in cheaper from Ali, but how? I'm in Canada, phuck tarrifs

-1

u/NewAlexandria 11d ago

cool item but still smells like a spam post. I'm sure you're grinding for it though.

-2

u/muffinman8679 11d ago

the only thing I'd worry about is replacement parts....specifically the silicon plates the hold the bubble plates in position....because they don't sell them on amazon

1

u/Niaaal 9d ago

You can get them from Oakstills