
If you can afford a SS pressure cooker, you can most likely afford a $50 quarter keg from a scrap yard, eBay or wherever, and end up 1000x better off in the end.
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I made the post on the rope you are talkin about, got side tracked with other priority's and ain't put that into motion yet.Soon though gettin to be that time.Ludwig404 wrote:Just for fun, looking into whether braided pfte rope discussed elsewhere on this forum can be fashioned into a replacement for the rubber gasket. I foresee some issues, but we'll see.
It should do well . Stillin you are never approaching the pressures required to can food (I hope). Twisted ptfe tape or cotton cord with a little thin flour paste should do the same thing .Ludwig404 wrote:I meant ptfe of course - don't know why I keep screwing that up. But I ordered a hunk, and already have a stainless pressure cooker so we'll see how it goes.
You're missing a lot... Safety... Safety... Safety...JohnDrake wrote:Oh boy. Being the newer guy here, I just posted (in the Welcome section) about finding an old still that I had concerns about regarding corrosion and leaks. Then someone mentioned that since it is old, I should not buy it because there might be lead in the solder.
My eyes are red from reading and not bleeding yet as was suggested, but if aluminum won't distill out of a an aluminum vessel, why should I be worried about solder with lead in it? After all, the pot will be dry until I add liquid, and the liquid will only be in contact with the solder as long as it takes to remove the product.
Am I missing something?
Thanks,
JohnDrake
Ludwig404 wrote:Can anyone provide a link to some sort of respected authority on the subject of pressure cooker gaskets leaching dangerous chemicals into the distillation process? Assuming one intended to use a stainless steel pressure cooker with a gasket that has been FDA approved for use with acidic thinks like fruits and tomatoes, is there any real authority that says "danger, danger, do not use to make spirits!"?
The seals currently used are neoprene, silicone, nitrile and EPDM. None of them are unaffected by acetone according to my research, never mind hot acetone vapor! Look it up.Ludwig404 wrote:Can anyone provide a link to some sort of respected authority on the subject of pressure cooker gaskets leaching dangerous chemicals into the distillation process? Assuming one intended to use a stainless steel pressure cooker with a gasket that has been FDA approved for use with acidic thinks like fruits and tomatoes, is there any real authority that says "danger, danger, do not use to make spirits!"?
I did look it up and didn't find anything definitive, which led to my first post.ShineRunnah wrote:The seals currently used are neoprene, silicone, nitrile and EPDM. None of them are unaffected by acetone according to my research, never mind hot acetone vapor! Look it up.Ludwig404 wrote:Can anyone provide a link to some sort of respected authority on the subject of pressure cooker gaskets leaching dangerous chemicals into the distillation process? Assuming one intended to use a stainless steel pressure cooker with a gasket that has been FDA approved for use with acidic thinks like fruits and tomatoes, is there any real authority that says "danger, danger, do not use to make spirits!"?
Something tells me you like to find everything out the hard way...![]()
Just an FYI, this forum is a pretty well respected authority on hobby distillation.Kinda why most come here, to learn and share information.
Yeah... Armed only with an opinion, you don't trust safety advise and think that is somehow a healthy skepticism.. In what twisted version of reality does that make any sense?Ludwig404 wrote: I guess you could say I'm somewhat skeptical of what I read on forums like this one. Trust but verify - that sort of thing. But no, I'm not one who insists on touching the stove to confirm its hot.
Read what you want, and disregard the rest, huh? Tell me how that works out for you Then read the rest of my post.bearriver wrote:I don't recall chrome plated fittings being advised by anyone in building a still... Ever...How do some people walk through this world learning everything the hardest way possible?
Yeah... Armed only with an opinion, you don't trust safety advise and think that is somehow a healthy skepticism.. In what twisted version of reality does that make any sense?Ludwig404 wrote: I guess you could say I'm somewhat skeptical of what I read on forums like this one. Trust but verify - that sort of thing. But no, I'm not one who insists on touching the stove to confirm its hot.
Trying to justify the use of a pressure cooker as a still is like trying to justify using sandpaper to wipe your ass. It can be done, but there are certainly better ways to go about it.Ludwig404 wrote:I did look it up and didn't find anything definitive, which led to my first post.ShineRunnah wrote:The seals currently used are neoprene, silicone, nitrile and EPDM. None of them are unaffected by acetone according to my research, never mind hot acetone vapor! Look it up.Ludwig404 wrote:Can anyone provide a link to some sort of respected authority on the subject of pressure cooker gaskets leaching dangerous chemicals into the distillation process? Assuming one intended to use a stainless steel pressure cooker with a gasket that has been FDA approved for use with acidic thinks like fruits and tomatoes, is there any real authority that says "danger, danger, do not use to make spirits!"?
Something tells me you like to find everything out the hard way...![]()
Just an FYI, this forum is a pretty well respected authority on hobby distillation.Kinda why most come here, to learn and share information.
I guess you could say I'm somewhat skeptical of what I read on forums like this one. Trust but verify - that sort of thing. But no, I'm not one who insists on touching the stove to confirm its hot.
I agree about this forum being well-respected. That's why, if you read my subsequent posts you will see I accepted the repeated assertions that the stock rubber gasket may not be safe, and as a precaution fashioned one out of ptfe.
I'm not sure why you felt the need to make your criticism of my first post personal. It was a little better than the guy who thinks "udder" and "utter" are interchangeable, but not much. I don't see how sneering at someone advances any of the goals of this forum as I understand them. I'm here to learn - why are you here?
Well put .bearriver wrote:I have not only read your entire post in context, I have read ALL of your contributions here.
Personally, I couldn't possibly care less about what you do in your own home. However, the level of safety promoted here is the most trustworthy set of ideals a distiller can adhere to. This isn't an argument. Im simply the first one to take the time telling you how it is. We have a rigid way of doing things. (Hint: See the rules we live by) If you dont like it, there are other forums that would be glad to have you and your skepticism of our universal safety concerns.
when you take the chrome fitting off to replace it look inside and see that there is little or no chrome inside.Ludwig404 wrote:I appreciate the warning on the underlying brass, and I fully get that. The fitting will be replaced with a copper coupling as soon as UPS gets it here.
Thank you.
This is another aspect many do not seem to consider. My opinion; do as you wish in your own home, but don't come on a public forum and start promoting bad or questionable practices.rad14701 wrote:You're fighting a losing battle and that is pretty damned annoying to those of us attempting to promote this hobby/craft in a safe manner in hopes of it becoming decriminalized...!!!