The craft brewing and distilling industries have really taken off over the last five to 10 years, and there are more entrepreneurs than ever starting up businesses in these fields. If you’re going to find success in what’s starting to become a crowded industry, one of the best things you can do to put yourself on the right path is to make sure you select high-quality distillery equipment in Eugene, OR for your new operation, as well as a maintenance partner that can work with you to keep it all in great condition.
Thanks to the explosion of interest in craft distilling in recent years, there is more high-quality equipment on the market than ever before, which has made the business significantly more accessible despite the growing level of competition. Given how many options you have available, it’s important to know how to prioritize items in your search and what you should know to help you find high-quality items at reasonable prices.
Here are a few tips from our team to help you choose your distillery equipment.
Focus on the still
This should be the first item on your list, and fortunately you’re going to have quite a few options to get you exactly what you need. You don’t necessarily have to find a massive still or a weird hodgepodge piece of equipment—there are now stills being made that are designed to be smaller and more efficient for craft distilleries that have a much lower output than some of the larger players in the industry.
There are different kinds of stills, so you should know what you want before you head in to make a purchase. Traditional copper stills generally lead to the best end product, but there are other options available. A still is going to be one of the more expensive items on your list, but this is not an area where you want to cheap out—a high-quality still will not only produce a better product, but it will last you for decades if properly maintained. Consider also the size of still that is right to fit not just your business operations right now, but where you see your business growing to within the near future.
Select your parts
Once you’ve chosen your still, it’s time to select some of the other necessary components of a distilling operation. You don’t have to go out and purchase a complete distillery system—you can instead buy the still and browse around for other parts and materials individually. There are online catalogs that can help you find good deals, but you can also look around at secondhand sources. Check with other distilleries that may have recently expanded their operations—they may have old equipment that’s still in good condition that they’re willing to part with for a lower price than you’d find in other places on the market.
After you’ve found all the equipment you need, make sure you take the proper steps to keep it in great shape! Contact American Refrigeration Inc. for more information about maintenance of distillery equipment in Eugene, OR.
You’ve probably heard about the craft brewing boom in the United States, but it’s not just the beer industry that’s taken off—the craft liquor and distilling industry has also hit a huge boom over the last decade or so. There are constantly new distilleries opening up and existing ones expanding, especially here on the West Coast, which has been at the forefront of the craft beverage industries.
So, if you’re looking to either upgrade your distillery or finally follow your dreams and start up a new one from scratch, what are the processes and steps you should take when choosing your equipment? Here’s some info from a company that specializes in distillery equipment installation in Oregon to get you started.
Stills
The first thing you should purchase is a still. In the past, you would probably have been limited to very large and expensive copper vessels that you may have had to import. However, as demand has grown for smaller and cheaper still systems to accommodate the more modest needs of craft distillers, there has been a huge increase in that market, making the entry price for these stills more affordable than it’s ever been. You can go with traditional copper, or with other types of materials. Consider the kind of liquor you intend to make—certain types of stills may be better suited for certain types of liquors.
Other vital parts
What else do you need aside from a still? There are plenty of other vital components you’ll want to look for. For example, you’ll need a boiler and mash tun to create the fermented liquid that eventually gets processed in the still and turned into liquor. Mash tuns and boilers can both be expensive, so make sure you’ve appropriately accounted for those costs. You’ll also need fermenters and tanks for holding the liquid both before and after the distillation process. Other components include high-quality pumps—a food grade air pump can be particularly beneficial. Finally, depending on the quality of your municipal water, you may consider a means of treating that water before the distilling process begins. The presence of minerals in the water can impact both the taste of your product and the operation of your equipment.
See what you can get secondhand
If you’re just getting started in the industry, you can save a whole lot of money buy trying to get your equipment secondhand. There are a lot of add-ons you’ll need to get that can quickly start to cost you some money. Keep an eye on Craigslist and eBay, and become familiar with other distillers in the area to see if they have any old equipment they’re interested in getting rid of. You can actually use equipment from the beer, wine and dairy industries as well for a lot of your processes, so don’t feel like you have to limit yourself to equipment that was solely used by a distillery.
For more information about distillery equipment installation in Oregon and how you can choose the correct components for your needs, contact the team at American Refrigeration Inc. today with your questions.
Whether you’re upgrading to improved distillery equipment or you’re equipping a brand-new distillery facility, you need to think about the installation process. Getting subpar equipment installation work may leave you with machines that don’t function properly or that don’t deliver the level of performance that you were hoping for. Because of the importance of proper installation when it comes to your distillery equipment, it’s essential to find a reputable installation provider that you can trust to do a good job.
What you need to know about the installation process
The most important thing to remember about distillery equipment installation in Oregon is that it is about more than just positioning the equipment in a facility—a lot of calibration and setup is required to get the equipment working the way that it should. When you hire a professional installer, you should feel confident that they will provide you with the expertise and services that you need to get the most out of your equipment. By following some simple tips, you can find an installation provider who is going to get you the results that you’re looking for:
Arrange several consultations: You don’t have to work with the first installation provider that gives you a quote. You should find several local candidates and then narrow down your short list through interviews, consultations and quotes. This gives you the opportunity to get to know potential service providers a little bit and weigh pros and cons before you make your final hiring decision.
Consider value: It’s easy to get so caught up in the cost of installation that you fail to take other factors into account, but it’s important to carefully weigh all of the aspects of installation to help you compare service providers. If one installation provider offers the lowest price, but they also have the least experience and the worst approach to customer service, they aren’t worth the savings. Try to find a provider of distillery equipment installation in Oregon that offers reasonable rates and quality services.
Get recommendations: If you know people who have had distillery equipment installed, ask them about which service provider they used and what their experience was like. They will be able to give you valuable insight and help you find reputable providers and avoid those that aren’t worth it. You should also browse reviews online and request references from different installation providers so that you can get a better idea of what your service experience will be like.
Schedule distillery equipment installation in Oregon
At American Refrigeration Inc., we know how important proper equipment installation is for distillery facilities, and that’s why we’re proud to provide such exceptional services to our customers. In addition to the various distillery equipment and services that we offer, we are also proud to provide a wide range of commercial HVAC and refrigeration services. For decades, our team has been committed to providing the best service possible to all of our customers. You can find out more about what we have to offer by giving us a call today.
Distillation is an essential aspect of the production of a wide variety of consumer goods, and companies that use this equipment understand the importance of quality and performance when it comes to meeting demand. Unfortunately, lots of businesses deal with the frustration and inconvenience of equipment that’s constantly malfunctioning or that simply doesn’t offer the desired level of performance. The good news is that you can find new distillery equipment in Oregon that will meet all of your business’s needs and provide you with reliable performance for years to come.
Distillery equipment basics
Depending on the specific types of products you’re distilling, your equipment needs will vary. Distillation is primarily performed to produce beer, wine and spirits, but it is also used to make other products and substances, including distilled water. Regardless of the specific things that you’re producing through distillation, you want to feel confident in the quality of your equipment. Because of how specialized distillery equipment is, it tends to be a pretty major expense for businesses to purchase or replace. When a business invests in this type of equipment, it’s essential that they get their money’s worth out of it with durability, longevity and optimum performance.
Choosing distillery equipment
When it comes to actually selecting your distillery equipment in Oregon, there are a lot of different factors that you have to take into account. First, you should consider which types of equipment you need for your distillery. Most distillers need a still, along with filtration systems, holding tanks and other equipment to process the specific product they’re making. If you aren’t sure exactly what kind of equipment you need, it’s a good idea to arrange a consultation with a professional who specializes in distillery equipment in Oregon. They will be able to provide you with some valuable direction and help you check all of the various pieces of equipment you need off of your list.
Another important thing to consider is the quality of the equipment that you invest in. High quality equipment may cost more initially, but that extra cost is well worth it when you consider the improved performance and longevity that you can get out of your equipment. There is a wide variety of different manufacturers and products on the market for you to choose from, so it’s helpful to get guidance from a professional who can make recommendations based on your specific needs and the processes that are conducted at your facility.
Get help with your distillery equipment in Oregon
If you’re interested in upgrading your distillery equipment in Oregon, reach out to the experienced team at American Refrigeration Inc. Since 1995, we have been proud to provide comprehensive HVAC, refrigeration and specialty equipment services and products, including distillery equipment and related services. We know that emergencies happen, and that’s why we’re happy to offer 24/7 emergency service so that you can get the help you need, when you need it. To find out more about everything we have to offer, give us a call today for a quote or consultation!
