Just got some new stills...

[NADERHANNA1719]

Hey Everyone,

I recently ordered three 3" pot still heads from Milehigh Distilling, and I love the quality of your work, especially the quality welds and polished finish.

However, I noticed that there is some black stuff, I believe it is carbon, on the inside of the pipes, and I was wondering if I should subject them to some sort of cleaning process prior to using them, as I'm fearful that they may impart some off-flavors in my spirits.

If so, what cleaning process do you recommend?

Thanks,
Nader

[fizzix]

Surprised you've missed Cleaning a New Still.
I'd give them a vinegar & water elbow grease rub down for the black stuff you can reach, then follow the still cleaning runs as outlined above.
Three new stills! That's enthusiasm there!

[still_stirrin]

Copper stillheads or stainless?

If stainless, the “black stuff” could be what is called, “sugaring” from the TiG welding. When properly welded...the weld is blanketed in argon to prevent oxidation. When oxygen gets into the weld, it makes that carbon crystal crud and that will contiminate the weld.

Perhaps the stillheads weren’t made so well after all. Regardless, HD isn’t really a place for free advertisement (without compensation).

Incidently, the sugaring prpbably won’t wash out. It would have to be brushed out. But I wouldn’t worry about it as it won’t contiminate your distillate. Mechanically removing it could cause corrosion in the future. Just be sure to rinse the stillhead out good after using it so you don’t get a build up of organic “gunk”, which will carry over to your spirits.
ss

[NADERHANNA1719]

Thanks guys! They are three 3" copper pot still heads on 50 liter milk cans. I just figured that I paid a premium for them on the basis that they're tig-welded, instead of soldered, and polished instead of brush-finished, so assuming that these are high-end, I thought they'd also be pre-cleaned on the inside for me. I thought that was a perk as opposed to DIYing it. I'll definitely follow the process, I'm already familiar with it. I just need to make some sugar wash for my sacrificial run. I'll send you a vid soon enough.

[LWTCS]

The material can discolor from the heat. Takes more labor to bring back to virgin. More labor= More $

How do you know you paid e premium?

Got any pics?

[NADERHANNA1719]

I could have made these for $100 a pop, including the cost of a a plumber to tig them for me, but I didn't want to go the DIY route, because I figured it would be a bitch to get rid of all the carbon, and I didn't want to waste time with a vinegar run and sugar wash run, so I paid $485 each, including shipping to Palestine (the country - not Texas) and an extra $50 each for customs.That's $1,605 just for 3 heads only. That's why I consider it a premium.

[pfshine]

Holy crap! I gotta start selling these things.
That's it, starting Friday I'm open for business.

[still_stirrin]

... $1,605 just for 3 heads only...

Makes me wonder why you bought 3 heads when you can only run one at a time. I guess you could’ve planned to sell 2 to recover the price of yours and roll the capital investment “downhill”.

You certainly have more “disposable” cash than me. For that kind of money, I’d just go to the liquor store.
ss

[Pikey]

The guy's been here 6 years, I think he has a right to expect a decent "finished" product for that sort of money !

[acfixer69]

The guy's been here 6 years, I think he has a right to expect a decent "finished" product for that sort of money !

What the hell does 6 years here got to do with milehigh's finished product

[pfshine]

The guy's been here 6 years, I think he has a right to expect a decent "finished" product for that sort of money !

You are right about the still being finished. It's too easy to just run a wire wheel through it to shine it before it ships off. It's just good craftsmanship. I could understand one being missed possibly but all three didn't have the scale removed from the inside, which is just sloppy.

[Pikey]

The guy's been here 6 years, I think he has a right to expect a decent "finished" product for that sort of money !

What the hell does 6 years here got to do with milehigh's finished product

It shows he is not a random troll about quality of a supplier - but a concerned customer with a valid sense of injustice

In MY HUMBLE OPINION - old boy !

ymmv of course

[acfixer69]

I could have made these for $100 a pop, including the cost of a a plumber to tig them for me, but I didn't want to go the DIY route, because I figured it would be a bitch to get rid of all the carbon, and I didn't want to waste time with a vinegar run and sugar wash run, so I paid $485 each, including shipping to Palestine (the country - not Texas) and an extra $50 each for customs.That's $1,605 just for 3 heads only. That's why I consider it a premium.

The vinegar and the sacrificial need to be done even with the store bought. Looks like DIY makes sense again.
Hope you figured that, it's not always about the money. More $$= better

[NADERHANNA1719]

You live and learn guys.