boiling chips possible alternative

[suburban hillbilly]

Hi
I am very new to all of this. Bought some chickens for the back yard so thought I better get a still and a rocking chair to boot.
So got myself a pot still and am about to start my first runs. I saw some info about boiling chips and wondered if the the same effect could be achieved by simply scoring or scratching the the bottom of my boiling pot giving a rougher surface for bubbles to form.
Am I barking up the wrong tree or could this work, my initial idea was that it would obviously stop the noise of loose items moving around during boiling operation.

[blanikdog]

Boiling chips don't make a lot of noise, just a pleasant rattle telling you that the temp is OK and that everything is going well.

[suburban hillbilly]

Hi
Thanks for that I'll give it a whirl then. Luckily my wife finds it all so amusing at the moment so I am sure a gentle rattling wont rattle her nerves too much.
All the best

[LWTCS]

Just a few bits of copper or perhaps a small hand full of broken TEMPERED glass.

As blanik mantioned, will also help you with an audible tool to gage your boil.

[ScottishBoy]

Drop by any hobby store. They have these flattened disks of glass/ceramic in various colours. They make fanatastic boiling chips. But if you dont want to do that, then just cut some copper pipe into about 3 inch lengths and drop them in. Works very well.

[suburban hillbilly]

Thanks guys I will definately try out your suggestions.

[Dnderhead]

boiling chips should be irregular, jagged not smooth.something with a bunch of holes is ideal.(traps air)there is a difference between
something to"rattle" and "braking the boil".

[ScottishBoy]

boiling chips should be irregular, jagged not smooth.something with a bunch of holes is ideal.(traps air)there is a difference between
something to"rattle" and "braking the boil".

These actually have fairly irregular surfaces on the bottom. The bottom often looks like it was melted on a piece of cast iron. I think they do this in case someone want to glue them to something. It makes good nucleation points and is chemically inert.

[gobbler777]

would a couple wads of copper mesh work or does? it need to be something alittle heavier

[lacedspirits]

I've got 100lbs of 1/4" boiling stones and over 200lbs of 1/2" boiling stones, all ceramic. If anyone's interested in a few quart jars full, send me a PM. Let me know how much you need and we'll work out a price. Then again, if you want me to send you 300lbs of boiling stones, I could do that too.
ls

[gobbler777]

nevermind i found the answer to my question about the copper, i am curious to know if a handful of pennies would be ok to use? and what years the pennys need to be in order to be safe to use them?im going to be running a wash around 6 tonight anybody got a quick answer for me?

[Dnderhead]

no to the pennies there not all copper, scrap pipe would be better.

[ozone39]

How about some small 3/8" and 1/4" copper sweat fittings???? those are irregular and can trap air...

[blind drunk]

I use those copper crimp rings I had laying around from some job I was supposed to do but never got around to it bd.

[NcHooch]

I made some springy looking things out of some leftover 12 awg copper wire I had layin around.

[Dnderhead]

what is all this about any way, most do not need them, Iv run for years with out. most pots/boilers are not that perfect.
unless it is smooth as glass there not necessary.

[LearJet]

I use a length of stainless steel chain I picked up from home depot.