Skip to content

Samovar project — equipment for rectification, distillation, brewing and sous-vide

Distillation process diagram on the Samovar controller (gray version)

Samovar project: automation for rectification, distillation, brewing and cheesemaking

An open project for ESP32 and ESP32-S3. Process programs, a web interface and mobile apps.

Our motto: “Safety first!”

Samovar is an open controller for rectification, distillation, BK and NBK (wash column and continuous wash column), brewing, cheesemaking and sous-vide. It controls heating, pumps, valves and take-off according to a program. Watch the process on the display, in a browser, in the Android/iOS apps and on the website. Available functions depend on the hardware and the firmware configuration.

To test the iOS app, install Apple’s TestFlight app and then open this link

Download the Android app

Thermometer icon: temperature controlMonitors temperature

Five temperature sensors monitor the vapor, the column section, the boiler, the water and the TCA (atmospheric vent tube). The readings are used in process programs and protections; the set of sensors depends on the mode and the configuration.

Speaker icon: sound notifications In rectification mode, controls the take-off speed and volume

A peristaltic pump with a stepper drive provides take-off at a set speed in liters per hour and by volume. For accurate dosing the pump is calibrated beforehand.

Robot icon: automatic control Automates the rectification process

The program defines the take-off stages and pauses. The impurity breakthrough detector analyzes the temperature trend with a pressure correction: depending on the settings, it reduces the speed, pauses take-off and resumes it after stabilization.

Scissors icon: fraction take-off Separates by fractions

A servo drive switches the take-off containers according to the program. Heads, hearts, tails and intermediate fractions can be collected separately, setting the volume and speed for each stage.

Camera icon: remote video monitoring Provides remote monitoring and control

Control the controller through the local web interface, the Android/iOS apps and the samovar-tool.ru website. Logs, messages and charts for the whole session are available on the website and in the apps; alarms arrive as notifications.

Warning icon: emergency notifications Includes a safety group

Monitoring of temperatures, pressure, cooling water and sensor and regulator errors helps stop the process in an emergency. A flooding sensor and an emergency button are supported. The protections depend on the connected hardware and do not replace hardware safety.

Chart icon: monitoring of readings Works in distillation mode

Distillation runs according to a program and ends on temperature or on a change in the calculated ABV in the boiler or in the vapor. The interface shows a forecast of the time to the end of the stage and of the process.

Alarm clock icon: timers and schedules Works in brewery mode

The program handles malt mash-in, temperature rests, boiling, cooling and fermentation. BIAB, HERMS and RIMS brewing setups, BeerXML import, a pump and a stirrer are supported, given the appropriate hardware.

Thermometer icon: temperature control Works in sous-vide mode

The controller holds the water temperature according to a program for sous-vide cooking. Set the temperature and the duration of the stages to suit the chosen product and equipment.

Dotted chart icon: temperature curvesCharts for the whole session, cloud logs and messages help you watch the process and review the result. After an emergency reboot the program is restored; restarting within 30 minutes continues the same log session. This does not mean that heating is switched on automatically.

Warning icon: emergency notificationsPlease note: this is a non-commercial project!

Discussion of the project on the forum: https://forum.homedistiller.ru/index.php?topic=367128.120#msg13883184
All questions can be asked there.

Video about how the Samovar works

Why you need a Samovar

How to build and set up a Samovar yourself

Safety rules for distillation and rectification work

Comparison with other projects

The comparison shows the differences between approaches. The capabilities of specific devices, versions, forks and plugins may differ; check the documentation before choosing. BrewPi and BrewPiLess are separate projects, not a single hardware platform. The Samovar’s functions also depend on the build and the connected hardware.

Rectification/distillation

Let us compare the functionality of the Samovar project with commercial solutions for rectification and distillation, dividing them into three categories:

  1. Basic digital controllers (for example, popular boxed PID controllers, controllers from Still Spirits and the like).
  2. Advanced hobbyist controllers (for example, systems from HomeDistiller, custom builds from well-known equipment makers).
  3. Industrial/laboratory PLC systems (Programmable Logic Controller).

Comparative analysis of functionality for distillation/rectification

Functional block Samovar project (DIY) Basic controller Advanced hobbyist controller Industrial PLC
1. Core control logic Control by program and events. The logic depends on the stage, temperature, pressure, time and events. Static holding of a parameter. Usually a thermostat: it holds a set temperature or power. Step-by-step programming. Executing a recipe like: “heat to 80°C -> hold 20 min -> heat to 90°C”. Programmable logic. Any relationship between parameters, even the most complex, can be implemented.
2. Power control Control of an external power regulator; the algorithm depends on the mode. On/off or PID control, depending on the model and the output. The algorithm and the power stage depend on the specific device. The algorithms and feedback are defined by the project.
3. Product take-off control Peristaltic pump: speed in L/h, a set volume; a servo drive switches the containers. As a rule, a separate take-off control unit is needed. Support for pumps, valves and dosing depends on the model. Implemented for the chosen actuators.
4. Adaptation to the process Atmospheric pressure correction, a temperature trend detector, speed reduction and take-off pause according to the settings; Lua. Reaction to a deviation of the measured parameter; additional functions depend on the model. Transition conditions and adaptive algorithms depend on the model. The algorithms are developed for the installation.
5. Interface and monitoring Modern. A web interface with real-time charts, remote access, a local LCD. Basic. A digital indicator and a few buttons. Functional but utilitarian. Often a text LCD, optionally data output to a PC via RS-485/USB. Industrial. SCADA systems with full process visualization, archiving and reports.
6. Safety Monitoring of temperatures, water, pressure, sensor and regulator errors; additional protections when the hardware is present. Check the specific protections and the behavior on sensor failure. Check the hardware and software protections of the specific model. Redundancy and certified components are possible but not required for every PLC system.
7. Integrations (IoT) Website and Android/iOS apps; MQTT is optional, when enabled in the configuration. Communication interfaces depend on the model. Protocols, apps and integrations depend on the model. OPC UA, Modbus, Profinet and other protocols, depending on the platform.
8. Approximate cost The cost depends on the sensors, drives and power stage; build time must be taken into account. Compare the price of a complete kit, not of a single regulator. The price depends on the configuration, warranty and support. Equipment, licenses, development and commissioning are priced per project.

Positioning of the Samovar relative to other distillation projects

  1. Compared with a standalone temperature controller, the Samovar controls not only temperature but also the process stages and the take-off speed and volume. This is useful when several devices have to work in a coordinated way.
  2. When choosing between the Samovar and ready-made hobbyist automation, it is worth comparing take-off control, container switching, programs and the ability to extend the logic. For this the Samovar has open source code and Lua; the capabilities of a ready-made device depend on the model.
  3. What the Samovar shares with the PLC approach is programmable logic for working with sensors and actuators. That does not make a DIY controller equivalent to an industrial system in reliability, certification or hardware protections.

Bottom line:

The strengths of the Samovar for rectification and distillation are programmed take-off, work with several containers and the ability to adapt the logic to your own setup. The choice depends on the equipment, the required functions and your willingness to do the setup yourself.

The main trade-off is the convenience of a ready-made device versus the flexibility of a self-built one. For a commercial solution you check the contents of the kit, the warranty and the support; for the Samovar you account for the time of assembly, setup and safety checks.

Comparative analysis of functionality for brewing mode

Below is a comparative analysis of the functionality of the Samovar project against other popular open-source/DIY projects in brewing automation.

For comparison we take several well-known projects representing different approaches:

  1. BrewPi / BrewPiLess: Historically one of the best-known projects for fermentation control of beer.
  2. CraftBeerPi (v3/v4): A very popular and modular controller for brewing (mashing, boiling) that runs on a Raspberry Pi.
  3. ArdBir / ESPurno: Simpler Arduino/ESP controllers aimed mainly at the brewing process.

Comparative analysis by key parameters

Functional block Samovar project BrewPi / BrewPiLess CraftBeerPi 4 Typical DIY projects (ArdBir and others)
1. Intended purpose Rectification, distillation, BK, NBK, brewing, cheesemaking, sous-vide. Specialized. Mainly precise control of fermentation temperature. Specialized. The full brewing cycle (mashing, boiling). Specialized. Usually brewing only (mashing).
2. Automation flexibility Stage programs and user Lua scripts. Medium. Temperature profiles (a “temperature-time” chart). High. Step-by-step recipes, a flexible plugin system for extension. Basic. Hard-coded logic, at most the setting of temperature rests.
3. Equipment control Precise and comprehensive. Control of a stepper motor (precise take-off), a servo drive (container switching), smooth power adjustment. Precise. PID control of heating and cooling to hold the temperature. Modular. Control of valves, pumps and a stirrer via relays. PWM for power. Basic. Mainly on/off relay control.
4. Interface and monitoring Web interface, LCD, Android/iOS, website and session history charts. Web interface. A web interface for setting up the profile and viewing the chart. Advanced. A modern web interface, a fully customizable dashboard. Basic. Usually only an LCD display, rarely a simple web interface.
5. Integrations and IoT Website and apps; MQTT is optional. I2CStepper for extending control. Availability of MQTT, external sensors and notifications should be checked for the specific version, fork and plugins. Availability of MQTT, external sensors and notifications should be checked for the specific version, fork and plugins. Availability of MQTT, external sensors and notifications should be checked for the specific version, fork and plugins.
6. Hardware platform ESP32 and ESP32-S3. Depends on the project and version: BrewPi and BrewPiLess use different hardware solutions. Raspberry Pi. A full computer, higher cost and power consumption. Arduino/ESP8266.

Conclusion and positioning of the Samovar project

The Samovar combines several process modes on one hardware platform. Specialized projects may be more convenient if all you need is fermentation or beer brewing alone.

1. Several processes. Besides brewing, the Samovar supports rectification, distillation, BK, NBK, cheesemaking and sous-vide. BrewPi/BrewPiLess are aimed primarily at fermentation, and CraftBeerPi at brewery control; these are different tasks, not a universal quality ranking.

2. Extensible logic. The Samovar uses stage programs and Lua. Other projects have their own ways of extending, including plugins and modifying the source code. What is worth comparing is the scenario you need and how hard it is to implement.

3. Hardware platform. The Samovar runs on ESP32 and ESP32-S3 and provides a built-in web interface. CraftBeerPi uses a Raspberry Pi. A microcontroller and a single-board computer differ in resources and maintenance requirements; neither option by itself guarantees the reliability of the whole installation.

4. Control and history. The Samovar provides a local display, a web interface, mobile apps, control through the website and session logs. The set of available functions depends on the hardware and the connection settings.

Conclusion:

The Samovar suits enthusiasts who need several modes and the ability to change the logic of the installation. If ready-to-run operation, vendor support or a single specialized task matters more, it makes sense to consider a suitable ready-made solution.