Coiled reflux condensor

[fooznfool]

Have a problem, need some ideas please. Recently purchased a coiled reflux condenser (only thing on the still I didn't make). The seller packed it with sugar to prevent distortion when bending it. Instructions said to lightly tap the coil til all sugar is out (which I did but could get no air movement through it). The instructions then said if that was not successful put the coil in the oven upside down and bake for 30 minutes at 425. I did this and what a freakin mess it made in the oven. After that adventure I again tried to get air movement through it and could get a slight bit (no where near enough, busted a lung, 1/4" tubing). I contacted the seller and he suggested more oven time and higher temp. This time I went 500 for 45 minutes and a bit more came out. Tried again and now not any air movement. Went to the local garage and tried blowing 80psi through it and nothing. Went home and filled the boiler with water and submerged the coil, Boiled it for two hours. Took out and still nothing. I'm afraid the sugar caramelized and then charred and now plugged. Any ideas on getting this unplugged. Acid bath??? Something that reacts with melted sugar? (if so I don't know what). HELP!!!!

[Xecros]

does your oven have a cleaning cycle? crank up a cleaning cycle, put your coil in it, and let her rip!

[Bushman]

Wow what a mess! I have never baked for that same reason (I feared it would caramelized). This is going to be a PITA but what I would do is continue with the compressor (I set mine up so it hooks right to the coil), let it go for 5-10 minutes then I would put a towel on a hard surface like a table or just in your hands and roll it back and forth to try and loosen it a bit. Repeat the processes. This at this point is not going to be easy but eventually it should come free.

[Xecros]

does your oven have a cleaning cycle? crank up a cleaning cycle, put your coil in it, and let her rip!

the reason why, is because the oven gets up to very high temperatures during a cleaning cycle. high enough to turn any organic substance to powder, including caramelized sugar.

[ChairLawyer]

I had a very similar situation with sugar. I ended up putting a compression fitting and needle valve on one end. I filled it with as much water as it would take between the blockage and the needle valve. I closed the needle valve and slowly heated up the coils with a torch. It didn't take long and the steam shot ash and stinky burnt crap in the air.
That's just the way I dealt with it. Best of luck.

[Prairiepiss]

You will need to put some pressure in it while it is hot. Not after it cools. Pumping really hot water into it. While you are heating it would be best. Blowing cold air into it would just solidify the sugar. Sounds like a big mess.

And the person that made it. Should be cleaning them out before he ships them. That is some BS right there. Someone after a quick buck. That doesn't care about quality.

[fooznfool]

Thanks for the quick reply's guys...I am going to try them all. Appreciate it and I will let ya know where I end up.

[TDS]

Funny, I saw that guy on Ebag... his stuff seemed pretty nice,
When I read about the sugar in his coil ad it seemed inconsistent
with some of his other stuff, which looked kind of decent.

Weird.

[fooznfool]

Yes it actually looks very nice. He did a great job on making it. He said he use to use water when making them but couldn't make the bends nice enough so he went with sugar. I had never heard of sugar before, I have heard of using salt...which in my opinion would be easier to get out. Superheating (baking the sh@t out of it now).

[rad14701]

And the person that made it. Should be cleaning them out before he ships them. That is some BS right there. Someone after a quick buck. That doesn't care about quality.

+1 on that... Who would ship out a condenser without performing a flow test on it...???

[pfshine]

Rad to answer your question. I believe it would be something that rhymed with rick and may or may not have a foreskin.

[fooznfool]

Finally got it. Put oven on self clean and it did the job...turned everything to ashes. Thanks for the suggestion!

[Xecros]

Finally got it. Put oven on self clean and it did the job...turned everything to ashes. Thanks for the suggestion!

I'm happy it worked for you!