Solder and the Shotgun

[KiwiArmour]

Just a simple question that I got after building my Shotgun.

I sealed the top of the Shotgun with lead free solder, when I say sealed I mean I just poured it all in there to seal all the holes, both ends. It has worked well.

So the question is, is having solder in the vapour path bad?

[Swedish Pride]

how do you pour solder?

but nah, you're good, a bit solder wont kill ya, unless you drink molten solder, don't drink molten solder

[bilgriss]

Yeah, the molten solder is bad.

Make sure you do your cleaning runs, and you'll be fine.

[Danespirit]

If you are thinking of the "smurf hats" inside, well..just grind them away and be done with it.
A Dremel (or similar), can fix that.
If you are a perfectionist, some fine emery cloth (the one that is for wet working), will take care of the rest.
Don't forget to clean it thoroughly, before the first run.
Should there still be a little of it inside, it won't kill you...ALL the flux and discoloration has to go though.
Tip: A wooden dowel/stick with a vertical notch in it, can hold the emery cloth. Put the other side in a drill and ream the inside of that tube....flush with water now and then.

Any chance we get to see your new toy..?

[KiwiArmour]

That discolouration is the solder I was talking about. That is after the cleaning runs

That's it all together, I'm upgrading the element at some stage.

The other end of the Shotgun is done in the same way but the pipes extend past the solder

[still_stirrin]

BAM! That thing is massive.

I like the 2" pipe all the way to the shotgun....potential for some great vapor flow with few restrictions along the way. It oughta' rip through a stripping run. And with that long barrel shotgun...you oughta' be "hunting geese"...or at least easily managing whatever (heat) you "throw" at it, especially in a stripping run.

The keg now seems to be the smallest part of your system. I just hope you have an adequate coolant system to dispense with the heat produced and dissipated. I can see your water reservoir heating up in a hurry.
ss

p.s.- I suggest adding insulation around the boiler to assist the heat up and improve efficiency of your electric element(s). Also, if adding a reflux column and head, insulate the column as well. For a potstill, you really don't need to insulate the riser or lyne arm. They'll heat up and hold temperature adequately for potstill operation.

[KiwiArmour]

Yeah it's a decent size, the Shotgun is 2"x24" give or take with 4 1/2" tubes inside I think.
Water flow isn't an issue as I use the house water

[cranky]

I flooded the end of mine with solder too but I don't think mine gets that black, I don't really think it will hurt anything though.

[googe]

Nice job mate, will serve you well

[Danespirit]

+1 Ss

I would like to add: If it were me, I'd add some kind of support (hanging or standing) for that massive thing..
The weight of it will stress the ferrule and riser on your keg.Sooner or later it causes you some trouble and we all know Murphy's law...don't we?
That black stuff should disappear with some acetic acid
Soak it in Vinegar a night over, might even do it.
What charge where you running before it looked like that..?

Tip: Use some fine emery cloth and polish it smooth.
The more even it is, the less dirt can settle in the cracks etc.

Edit: Oh, I forgot to ask...What kind of solder did you use, is there any copper in it?

[KiwiArmour]

I've so far only done the cleaning runs so water then 50:50 water/white vinegar then my alcohol clean.

I might give it a soak and a polish see what happens

I used some lead free plumbers solder, BernzOmatic brand.

[Danespirit]

Sodium hydroxide with some hot water can also take care of it.
Just put the end that is discolored in a bowl with the stuff and wait a couple of hours.
The black crap will be gone forever.

[RedwoodHillBilly]

Sodium hydroxide with some hot water can also take care of it.
Just put the end that is discolored in a bowl with the stuff and wait a couple of hours.
The black crap will be gone forever.

+1

2.5% w/w does wonders (1 lb / 5 gal) in removing oils and other organics. This is what I use to clean SS and when I restore old cast iron cookware.