Hello All,
Is it safe to use brass flange fittings to join copper tubing?
Thanks!
Brass
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StabbyJoe
- Swill Maker
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Re: Brass
This has been discussed many times.
Brass is to be avoided where possible, but it can be used.
Brass is surface treated with lead, so before you do a cleaning run with your whole still, clean the brass part by 'pickling' it in acid. Vinegar works well.
Just leave it in enough vinegar to cover it overnight, give it a good rinse, give it a cleaning run in the still.
Theoretically, that solves the problem. Unfortunately we can never REALLY be sure that all the lead is gone, and that idea is enough to make most users of this forum dodge brass parts. Use it if you have to.
Brass is to be avoided where possible, but it can be used.
Brass is surface treated with lead, so before you do a cleaning run with your whole still, clean the brass part by 'pickling' it in acid. Vinegar works well.
Just leave it in enough vinegar to cover it overnight, give it a good rinse, give it a cleaning run in the still.
Theoretically, that solves the problem. Unfortunately we can never REALLY be sure that all the lead is gone, and that idea is enough to make most users of this forum dodge brass parts. Use it if you have to.
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BW Redneck
- Trainee
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Re: Brass
Actually, it should be pickled in 1 part 3% hydrogen peroxide and 2 parts 5% acetic acid (household white vinegar). Peroxide is easily found in most pharmacies as a disinfectant.
"If you can't dazzle them with brilliance... baffle them with bullshit."
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
"Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see"
20lt small pot still, working on keg
"Don't steal. The government hates competition."
"Believe none of what you hear, and only half of what you see"
20lt small pot still, working on keg
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Lil John SVT
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Re: Brass
I have brass fittings on my still. I did not know that i should have avoided them. I did a cleaning run on my pot still already. Theres no way i can remove the brass fittings from my setup. Can i put some white vinegar and some peroxide in the pot and run it thru at a high temp to clean the brass? Possibly 2 gallons of vinegar and a bottle of peroxide.
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StabbyJoe
- Swill Maker
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- Joined: Thu Jul 10, 2008 2:18 am
- Location: New Zealand! (It's all legal =D)
Re: Brass
Instructions and ratios for such a wash are on the parent site.
Basically people pickle their fittings in acid, then an acidic wash then water then a slightly alcoholic wash that'll get tossed.
After that the still should be ready for the first run.
Basically people pickle their fittings in acid, then an acidic wash then water then a slightly alcoholic wash that'll get tossed.
After that the still should be ready for the first run.
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aunt betty
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Re: Brass
If you are cl
Last edited by aunt betty on Mon Mar 12, 2012 1:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Coaster
- Rumrunner
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Re: Brass
@ aunt betty,
Perhaps reviewing exactly how you Pickle Brass to remove the surface lead will be helpful to you ->
A 'Pickling Solution' of two parts White Vinegar to one part Hydrogen Peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove the Surface lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or Less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more Lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a Fresh pickling solution.
Regards,
Coaster
Perhaps reviewing exactly how you Pickle Brass to remove the surface lead will be helpful to you ->
A 'Pickling Solution' of two parts White Vinegar to one part Hydrogen Peroxide (common 3% solution) will remove the Surface lead from brass parts when they are soaked for 5 minutes or Less at room temperature. The brass will turn a buttery yellow color as it is cleaned. If the solution starts to turn green and the brass darkens, then the parts have been soaking too long and the copper in the brass is beginning to dissolve, exposing more Lead. The solution has become contaminated and the part should be re-cleaned in a Fresh pickling solution.
Regards,
Coaster
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aunt betty
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Re: Brass
I don't feel comfortable with this "pickling" thing as it's temporary and only removes the "surface lead".
Unless you re-pickle every time your distill you can never be sure.
I just smashed the nice copper pot because it had a brass piece on it and the solder was who knows what...
Smashed the still too so I won't be tempted to try and use that. It was fun.
Now I'm deleting all my posts and skeedaddling before I get any more on ya.
Unless you re-pickle every time your distill you can never be sure.
I just smashed the nice copper pot because it had a brass piece on it and the solder was who knows what...
Smashed the still too so I won't be tempted to try and use that. It was fun.
Now I'm deleting all my posts and skeedaddling before I get any more on ya.