Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

This hobby is fun & enjoyable, but it is not tiddlywinks. Be safe!

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Weißer Hund
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Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

Post by Weißer Hund »

I was wondering after a run, how often do you do a complete teardown (remove the copper/stainless mesh or Rashing rings) and clean them. And what is your best recommendations as to a cleaning solution and method? I'm very proud of my rig and want to produce the finest quality spirits I possibly can. I am all ears to any suggestions..........
Weißer Hund
Bayou-Ruler
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Re: Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

Post by Bayou-Ruler »

Weißer Hund wrote:I was wondering after a run, how often do you do a complete teardown (remove the copper/stainless mesh or Rashing rings) and clean them. And what is your best recommendations as to a cleaning solution and method? I'm very proud of my rig and want to produce the finest quality spirits I possibly can. I am all ears to any suggestions..........

Pour plain water down the column, hang her up an let her dry.
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Prairiepiss
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Re: Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

Post by Prairiepiss »

+1 I use the hottest water I can get out of the tap.
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rad14701
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Re: Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

Post by rad14701 »

+1... Nothing more needed considering how everything has already been cleaned with high temperature high proof alcohol vapor...
LTK
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Re: Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

Post by LTK »

We clean with a weak solution of muriatic acid between runs. I always thought it to be unnecessary but not knowing for sure, just stuck with the program. My folks been doing it this way for 30 years. So, are yall saying that just a rinse and perhaps scrub with water if good with a copper pot?
Bayou-Ruler
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Re: Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

Post by Bayou-Ruler »

LTK wrote:We clean with a weak solution of muriatic acid between runs. I always thought it to be unnecessary but not knowing for sure, just stuck with the program. My folks been doing it this way for 30 years. So, are yall saying that just a rinse and perhaps scrub with water if good with a copper pot?

It dont have to be purdy to work. Citric Acid and other acids will make her purdy an shiny but as stated it dont have to be purdy an shiny to be effective
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Washashore
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Re: Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

Post by Washashore »

Can't think of much that'll survive 180 degree alcohol vapor. In essence, you're sanitizing it every run.
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LTK
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Re: Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

Post by LTK »

I always though the acid thing was overkill. The guy that made the still told us that this was a MUST so, not knowing any better (and not wanting to take chances) that's just what we did.
rad14701
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Re: Cleaning and Caring for your rig.

Post by rad14701 »

LTK wrote:I always though the acid thing was overkill. The guy that made the still told us that this was a MUST so, not knowing any better (and not wanting to take chances) that's just what we did.
I was told once to use cow shit as drawing salve to help remove a sliver... :shifty: Maybe it would have worked... :think:

Seriously, rinsing is all that's required... Anything that may have entered the boiler alive would be dead by the time the run is complete... Rinse it down and let it dry...
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