Gas Heating for Distillation: Is It the Right Choice for Your Still?
- Nov 01, 2025
- 115
- tiantai
In small and medium-sized distillation systems, direct fire heating remains one of the most effective and flavour-enhancing heating methods. It provides rapid heat transfer and helps generate rich aromas, particularly in rum, whisky, and brandy distillation.
There are two main types of direct fire heating: open flame heating and sealed burner with indirect medium heating.
1. Open Flame Direct Heating
This is the most traditional design, where the gas burner is installed directly below the pot bottom.
The flame heats the pot wall directly, transferring heat to the wash inside.
Structural Design
Pot Bottom:
Constructed with a reinforced double-layer base plate (5–8 mm thick stainless steel or copper) to withstand thermal stress.
The inner bottom is slightly curved to distribute heat evenly and prevent hotspots.
Burner System:
High-efficiency gas burner (LPG or natural gas) mounted in a combustion chamber with air intake and exhaust ports.
The burner connects to a flame control valve, pressure regulator, and thermocouple safety system.
Combustion Housing:
The bottom area is enclosed with insulated refractory bricks or ceramic fibre panels to concentrate heat and prevent heat loss.
Optional Features:
Temperature sensor on the pot bottom for flame control.
Flue outlet for safe exhaust discharge.
Advantages
Very fast heating response and high energy efficiency.
Encourages mild Maillard reactions and slight caramelisation, enriching flavour.
Simple system, easy maintenance and cost-effective for smaller stills (100–500 L).
Limitations
Requires careful flame adjustment to avoid local overheating or scorching solids.
Not ideal for very thick mashes or large-scale distillation.
2. Sealed Burner with Hot Water or Thermal Oil Jacket
In this system, the burner does not heat the pot directly. Instead, it heats a closed jacket filled with a thermal medium — either water (for low-temperature operations) or heat-conducting oil (for higher temperatures).
Structural Design
Jacketed Pot:
The still body includes a double-layer or triple-layer jacket around the bottom and lower sidewall.
The space between layers (20–50 mm) holds the circulating thermal medium.
Burner Chamber:
A gas burner is connected to a sealed heat exchanger, where the flame transfers heat to the medium.
Hot water or oil circulates through the jacket, transferring heat evenly to the inner pot wall.
Medium Circulation:
The medium flows in a closed loop via natural convection or a small pump.
A pressure-relief valve and temperature gauge ensure safe operation.
Control System:
Equipped with thermostatic control, over-temperature protection, and automatic gas shut-off.
Advantages
Uniform heat distribution, no risk of scorching.
Higher operational safety — the flame never touches the pot directly.
Suitable for continuous or semi-automatic distillation.
Limitations
Slightly slower response compared to open flame.
More complex structure and higher equipment cost.
3. Summary Table
4. Conclusion
Both systems are widely used in spirit distillation.
For small craft distilleries (≤500 L) focusing on flavour, open flame heating delivers stronger aroma and faster heating.
For larger or continuous systems, sealed indirect heating provides more stability and safety.
At Tiantai Beer Equipment Co., Ltd., we design both configurations with precise burner control, heat insulation, and stainless steel safety enclosures, ensuring efficiency and distinctive spirit character.
Are you planning to set up a distillery unit? Contact Nicole now to customize your expected configuration. Cheers!
Contact Nicole now!
Email: [email protected]
Sales manager of Tiantai Brewtech co
There are two main types of direct fire heating: open flame heating and sealed burner with indirect medium heating.
1. Open Flame Direct Heating
This is the most traditional design, where the gas burner is installed directly below the pot bottom.
The flame heats the pot wall directly, transferring heat to the wash inside.
Structural Design
Pot Bottom:
Constructed with a reinforced double-layer base plate (5–8 mm thick stainless steel or copper) to withstand thermal stress.
The inner bottom is slightly curved to distribute heat evenly and prevent hotspots.
Burner System:
High-efficiency gas burner (LPG or natural gas) mounted in a combustion chamber with air intake and exhaust ports.
The burner connects to a flame control valve, pressure regulator, and thermocouple safety system.
Combustion Housing:
The bottom area is enclosed with insulated refractory bricks or ceramic fibre panels to concentrate heat and prevent heat loss.
Optional Features:
Temperature sensor on the pot bottom for flame control.
Flue outlet for safe exhaust discharge.
Advantages
Very fast heating response and high energy efficiency.
Encourages mild Maillard reactions and slight caramelisation, enriching flavour.
Simple system, easy maintenance and cost-effective for smaller stills (100–500 L).
Limitations
Requires careful flame adjustment to avoid local overheating or scorching solids.
Not ideal for very thick mashes or large-scale distillation.
2. Sealed Burner with Hot Water or Thermal Oil Jacket
In this system, the burner does not heat the pot directly. Instead, it heats a closed jacket filled with a thermal medium — either water (for low-temperature operations) or heat-conducting oil (for higher temperatures).
Structural Design
Jacketed Pot:
The still body includes a double-layer or triple-layer jacket around the bottom and lower sidewall.
The space between layers (20–50 mm) holds the circulating thermal medium.
Burner Chamber:
A gas burner is connected to a sealed heat exchanger, where the flame transfers heat to the medium.
Hot water or oil circulates through the jacket, transferring heat evenly to the inner pot wall.
Medium Circulation:
The medium flows in a closed loop via natural convection or a small pump.
A pressure-relief valve and temperature gauge ensure safe operation.
Control System:
Equipped with thermostatic control, over-temperature protection, and automatic gas shut-off.
Advantages
Uniform heat distribution, no risk of scorching.
Higher operational safety — the flame never touches the pot directly.
Suitable for continuous or semi-automatic distillation.
Limitations
Slightly slower response compared to open flame.
More complex structure and higher equipment cost.
3. Summary Table
| Heating Method | Structure | Efficiency | Safety | Ideal Application |
| Open Flame | Heating Burner under pot, direct flame on reinforced bottom | ★★★★★ | ★★★ | Traditional rum, whisky, brandy |
| Sealed Burner (Water/Oil Jacket) | Burner heats closed medium jacket, indirect transfer | ★★★★ | ★★★★★ | Continuous operation, thick mashes, higher safety requirement |
4. Conclusion
Both systems are widely used in spirit distillation.
For small craft distilleries (≤500 L) focusing on flavour, open flame heating delivers stronger aroma and faster heating.
For larger or continuous systems, sealed indirect heating provides more stability and safety.
At Tiantai Beer Equipment Co., Ltd., we design both configurations with precise burner control, heat insulation, and stainless steel safety enclosures, ensuring efficiency and distinctive spirit character.
Are you planning to set up a distillery unit? Contact Nicole now to customize your expected configuration. Cheers!
Contact Nicole now!
Email: [email protected]
Sales manager of Tiantai Brewtech co
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