What's the red stuff in my copper pipe?

[Cotron]

Anyone know what this is inside my copper pipe? Do I need to remove it before stilling? Can I remove it?

[Bushman]

Definitely clean it and try to remove it. What was the pipe used for as I am guessing that didn't happen from distilling? How long is the pipe? It may not be worth the effort as you might want to use a newer one if your just starting your build.

[pfshine]

Was it used in an hvac system? If it was that is rust and a whole assortment of chems caked on there.

[Cotron]

It's a brand new pipe. It's from a german company. I'll see if I can figure out what is printed on the outside

[Cotron]

1 EN 1057 KIWA GASTEC QA   157. DEUTSSCHLAND SANCO (R)  15 x 1. WIELAND 004/019 SANCO (R). 22.07.14 23:36. CE

[Cotron]

Here's product info pdf from the manufacturer, but I can't find anything about the inner coating. The coating is in the pictures, but they only mention that it's made from 99.9% copper.

http://onninen.procus.fi/documents/orig ... nco_EN.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

[Danespirit]

Hard to see if it's a coating, but i think it's just some oxydation, had that in mine too.
Guess it came from applying heat at soldering, copper would take up some oxygen from the atmosphere.
Nothing to worry about, just clean it out. I use Viega pipe, also a german manufacturer.
Steelwool and a piece of round wood (anything similar) could take care of it.
Use it same way as you would clean a riflebarrel, the red surface will disappear.
Edit: i also use citric acid or acetic acid to clean my gear before running it first time.

[Cotron]

Thanks Dane!

[Cotron]

The marketing and press director replied to an email I sent them. Here it is:

"this is copper oxide, applied to support natural layer-forming.

Best regards

i.V. Rolf Werner"

[heartcut]

For a long piece of dirty/ contaminated pipe a cleaning brush for soldering fastened to a long piece of 1/4" (6mm) rod or tubing and chucked in a drill will clean things out quickly.
If that's purpose applied copper oxide in your pipe, you might want to leave it and do your cleaning runs, it's part of the desired (by many) copper patina.

[Cotron]

Yeah, it's just copper oxide or cuprite. I'm planning on leaving it and doing cleaning runs unless anyone tells me otherwise.

[Haus]

Not sure if this will help any but I bought a shotgun cleaning kit (new - unused). It comes with a few different sizes of brushes that connect to a rod with a t-handle. Makes it real easy to run it thru the pipes. .410 works on 1/2" and 12 gauge works for 3/4" - 1". Obviously don't use the solvents that come with it.

Which leads me to a related question: How long after a cleaning can it sit without use before a cleaning needs to be performed? Is before every use a good general rule?

[heartcut]

I seldom use anything but a water flush after a run. Even after absinthe, the heads from the next run takes care of any residual traces of botanicals.