Copper pics after vinegar run
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Copper pics after vinegar run
Hi all, I just built my first still and was expecting more clean looking shine after the first vinegar run. I did 50/50, steaming for 20 and condensing for 20. I only ran my 5500W element at 50% so I wouldn't overwhelm my ventilation. Used softened water in the mix as it only occurred to me after to use RO. Prior to the run I soaked and scrubbed with vinegar so there was no visible flux even before the run.
Am I ready to run the sacrificial sugar wash, or do I have more cleaning to do?
Am I ready to run the sacrificial sugar wash, or do I have more cleaning to do?
- Tummydoc
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
Run it, its a tool not an art project!
Last edited by acfixer69 on Wed Dec 22, 2021 6:36 am, edited 1 time in total.
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- jonnys_spirit
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
Cheers,
-j
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i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
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i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
I'll share a before pic of the boiler
I suppose it will never look this clean again.
I suppose it will never look this clean again.
- Deplorable
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
Looks fine to me, eventually the copper is going to have a beautiful patina inside. That's what you want.
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
I have a follow up question about the cleaning run. I have 16gal of sugar wash that fermented out to 16% ABV and just waiting for the yeast to drop a bit. Was thinking of using half of that for cleaning and save the other half for experimenting. Should I use more than half or could I get away with less? For reference my kettle is a 15gal flipped sanke like so
- Yummyrum
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
You could probably get away with using about a 1/4.
Run it for 30min to an hour tops should do it .
Run it for 30min to an hour tops should do it .
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
Just getting back to this after fixing a leaky shotgun. Getting ready for my cleaning run.
I think I mounted my element too high but this is what I’m working with for now. It takes 10L to just cover it. I got 16% ABV sugar wash. Say I want to run down to 2.5cm (1”) above my element, I need an extra 3L, so 13L left in boiler at the end. Playing around with https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.php/htm/calc ... t_calc.htm If I run at 3100W for 60 minutes after heat up and collect 7L I need to start with 20L. Purity start 62%, end 22%. Does this sound right and like a proper cleaning run? Should I use more wash or dilute for more element coverage? I left the default of 10% internal reflux is that an ok starting assumption for this set up?
TLDR How much wash do I need above my element?
I think I mounted my element too high but this is what I’m working with for now. It takes 10L to just cover it. I got 16% ABV sugar wash. Say I want to run down to 2.5cm (1”) above my element, I need an extra 3L, so 13L left in boiler at the end. Playing around with https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.php/htm/calc ... t_calc.htm If I run at 3100W for 60 minutes after heat up and collect 7L I need to start with 20L. Purity start 62%, end 22%. Does this sound right and like a proper cleaning run? Should I use more wash or dilute for more element coverage? I left the default of 10% internal reflux is that an ok starting assumption for this set up?
TLDR How much wash do I need above my element?
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
As long as your element doesn't run dry you'll be OK. Once the wash is all up to temp it should keep boiling uniformly. I have the same situation and I do get a pretty hardcore temperature gradient when heating up, but the bottom seems to stay good and hot once it's running. I need 10L to cover it comfortably (I think 9.5L would do it) and I'll happily take it down to those 10L if I need to.
"I have a potstill that smears like a fresh plowed coon on the highway" - Jimbo
A little spoon feeding *For New & Novice Distillers
A little spoon feeding *For New & Novice Distillers
Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
Thanks Normandie. I did this cleaning run which was my first ever alcohol run and it was quite interesting. The smell at the start of the run had me concerned but that must just be foreshots as it measured around 80%. I pulled 5.25L total and the purity levelled out at 65% and then dropped to 46%. I got some noise at the end when I turned up the power and fell cold air at the output, so that must have been huffing.
After taking it all down I tried cleaning my shotgun by pushing paper towel through it. That's all from just one tube. It does not look very clean to me
Should I:
Start over with a vinegar run?
Do another alcohol cleaning run? I still have the output from the last run, could mix some of it into some fresh 16% wash to make a stronger charge.
Call this clean and proceed with a run for possible consumption?
After taking it all down I tried cleaning my shotgun by pushing paper towel through it. That's all from just one tube. It does not look very clean to me
Should I:
Start over with a vinegar run?
Do another alcohol cleaning run? I still have the output from the last run, could mix some of it into some fresh 16% wash to make a stronger charge.
Call this clean and proceed with a run for possible consumption?
Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
The vapor tube in my liebig will have dark residue after a run. It is dirtier after stripping than a spirit run. I just pull a patch through until it is clean. You do not want shiny penny clean after you have prepped your still. That can give a metallic twang to your spirit.
Last edited by zed255 on Sat Jan 29, 2022 3:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Zed
When the Student is ready, the Master will appear.
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
Zed
When the Student is ready, the Master will appear.
If you can't explain it simply, you don't understand it well enough.
- Yummyrum
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
Exactly as Zed said . It is just fine . Shiny copper will give a metallic taste . Just trust that that copper patina will form and work year after after year .
At most a quick rinse out with a hose is as much cleaning after a run as you’ll need . I rarely even bother with that .
The next time you run the still , the fore-shots and heads will clean out anything that need to come off before the hearts come .
At most a quick rinse out with a hose is as much cleaning after a run as you’ll need . I rarely even bother with that .
The next time you run the still , the fore-shots and heads will clean out anything that need to come off before the hearts come .
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
- Saltbush Bill
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
I agree 100% with what Yummy has said ..a quick rinse with the garden hose is all that it needs.
Your worrying to much.
Your worrying to much.
Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
I’m definitely the type to get hung up on safety and quality issues. Learning so much here. Thank you guys for keeping me on track.
Now I just need to figure out what to do with my remaining 38L of 16% sugar wash. I’m not too interested in trying to make a clean spirit on a pot still, although it might be great practice. I might just strip it once to fit it in a corny for later. Then start up an AG wash for whisky and also work on a reflux column.
Now I just need to figure out what to do with my remaining 38L of 16% sugar wash. I’m not too interested in trying to make a clean spirit on a pot still, although it might be great practice. I might just strip it once to fit it in a corny for later. Then start up an AG wash for whisky and also work on a reflux column.
- Yummyrum
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Re: Copper pics after vinegar run
Strip it fir sure Fuggles .It will always come in handy .
My recommended goto .
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory
https://homedistiller.org/wiki/index.ph ... ion_Theory