Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
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Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
Im preparing for my first run and I keep reading about a alcohol cleaning run , I did a vinegar cleaning run , is it necessary for a alcohol cleaning run ? I do have a a few half bottles of wine that no one is drinking, would that do with some water added ? I'm rimming a 6 gallon stock pot with a 3/4 inch pipe, about 12 inches rise and about 2 feet off the elbow with a 36" liebig arm ,
- cranky
- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 6506
- Joined: Fri Sep 27, 2013 3:18 pm
- Location: Pacific Northwest
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
Yes a sacrificial run is necessary to clean out anything missed by the other cleaning runs. Personally I think it's best to make a full size sacrificial wash and run it just like you will be running regular runs.
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
You've been a member since 2008?
Yes. A sacrificial alcohol run is absolutely necessary if it's a new still, a long-idle still, or one that's had solder/welding modifications.
Yes. A sacrificial alcohol run is absolutely necessary if it's a new still, a long-idle still, or one that's had solder/welding modifications.
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
Yes , since 2008 but on and off , had some health issue and lack of funds , hopefully I'm better now, I just wanted to double check my reading , Thank You
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
I wish you the best, and welcome back!
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- Master of Distillation
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- Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:27 pm
- Location: Ontario
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
Want to wish the best with your health and fund issues..demon00 wrote:since 2008 but on and off , had some health issue and lack of funds , hopefully I'm better now,
Your 6 gal stock pot is of a nice size, but in the future, you may want to change the 3/4" column for a 1.5 -2".. it would improve greatly the efficiency output.. just something to thing about.. your present setup will work, but will not be efficient time wise..
Mars
" I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding "
– Albert Einstein
– Albert Einstein
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
I kind of feel like its going to take me 3-4 hrs a run , I dont mind that to much.... I am thinking of upping it to a 2" column and elbow and attach to my liebig, it should run ok on the same arm, its a half inch inner and 3/4 outter jacket
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- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 3387
- Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:27 pm
- Location: Ontario
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
A 2" column would greatly improve the efficiency and your present liebig would be good.. just don't put the liebig so far away from you column elbow, a few inches would be fine..
The cost of 12" DWV copper pipe would not be expense, just call around scrap yard or call plumbers in your area, sometime they have end from a job..
Mars
The cost of 12" DWV copper pipe would not be expense, just call around scrap yard or call plumbers in your area, sometime they have end from a job..
Mars
" I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding "
– Albert Einstein
– Albert Einstein
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
1I may change it sooner... Thinking on it more 3-4 run time or longer may be a pain especially since its only 6 gallon boiler.... Thinking , like you said, 1.5 to 2" column, maybe 5-6 inches up elbow, 5-6" off the elbow then a reducer or 2 to my arm , should work ok
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
On another note I bought a fire extinguisher today, just in case, better to have and not need, than to need and not have
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
Very wise decision
A simple sugar wash will clean the residual Flux from the tubes. How long a run is debatable but I'm with Cranky on doing a full run to get back to speed of things.
A simple sugar wash will clean the residual Flux from the tubes. How long a run is debatable but I'm with Cranky on doing a full run to get back to speed of things.
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
I am planning a full run, so I know it's all clean and safe, I'm thinking with what I'm running it's going to be a 3-4 hr run
Re: Is a cleaning alcohol run necessary ?
Anyone give me an idea of about how much product I can expect from a run with what I'm using ? It's just a straight sugar wash , was 10 lbs of table sugar and a lb or so of some left over confectionery sugar my wife had .. guesstamation ?? Lol thanks