Copper is inert or can be harmful?

[Drunk-N-Smurf]

Well I have been gone for a few days and am trying to catch up on what is going on, quite a bit apparently. So first off I am not a scientist, I am a welder fabricator and have no scientific information to offer but I do have a thought on this that could be thought provoking in the testing's mentioned. This is just an opinion though. Are these tests on copper done with virgin copper or seasoned copper. All I know Is that after my cleaning runs and the sacrificial runs my spirits only got better and better as the patina developed inside the copper. Could this Patina actually be a seal between the hot alcohol vapors and the virgin copper keeping leaching to a minimum? I think of this when I see the big copper potstills in Scotland and Ireland that are a hundred plus years old and have not shown signs of erosion . I know they don't run 24/7 so they must also be exposed to oxygen at some time. Then multiply that over their life span. Just a thought.

Absolutely. It would make sense that new stills would be used for the testing, or at minimum, heavily cleaned stills. Most likely to ensure some sense of control, I.e. No foreign contaminants to skew the results.

If you look at the pics of the pipe cross sections I posted, you'll see the green in the pipe where it's not eroded. That's the same patina that is developed in our stills (with a few minerals from the water as well). it also slows your house water from leeching as much copper into your drinking water as well.

New homes have higher copper leeching than older homes. The petina in household piping is constantly changing. turbulence in the water wears it down, redisolves it, and it redevelops. In our stills, if we leave it be, (don't scrub it out) it is allowed allowed to remain and do its job.
Edit: another note about household piping, back in the day, piping was simple, straight runs, all the same size, from the meter to all the fixtures was pretty much the same. Keeping pressure and velocity constant thoughout the system.
These days we have 1" pipe coming into the home, reducing to 3/4" and then to 1/2" everywhere. With every decrease in size, pressure is reduced, and velocity is increased. With sudden increases in velocity, you get extra turbulence, which speeds the erosion problems and slower petina buildup.

[3d0g]

In a way, yeah. I'm relying heavily on the research and experience of others, combined with all the knowledge I've taken from many sources over the years, just like everyone else here.

See, pro distillers can't. Just so happened I spent today with the head distiller of Leopold Bros., one of the oldest craft distillers in the country. They distribute internationally and absolutely have their spirits lab tested. They've also got beautiful Vendome potstills with copper product condensers.

The world isn't always black or white, unfortunately.

[Drunk-N-Smurf]

In a way, yeah. I'm relying heavily on the research and experience of others, combined with all the knowledge I've taken from many sources over the years, just like everyone else here.

See, pro distillers can't. Just so happened I spent today with the head distiller of Leopold Bros., one of the oldest craft distillers in the country. They distribute internationally and absolutely have their spirits lab tested. They've also got beautiful Vendome potstills with copper product condensers.

The world isn't always black or white, unfortunately.

[carbohydratesn]

Indeed it isn't. That comment originally had the wording "(almost) everyone", I edited it out for some reason. Some of us are fortunate enough to be able to afford that testing on a regular basis, or they're required to. I am not, like most here.

[SassyFrass]

The last few rigs I've built have combined both copper and stainless steel.

Likker out of an old, broken in worm always seemed to taste a little better than likker from a new worm. JMO.
I'm assuming, it'll be the same with the liebig I'm building.

Folks have built out of what's handy for 100's of years. With results all over the place, Damn Good Likker -to- kill ya' dead or get jake leg or something even worse.

IMHO, either copper or SS can be either good or bad. Not sure if either one is completely inert, I ain't a scientist.
Hell, I like the way them glass columns look, but I could never run one. It would get broke too quick. I know some of my limitations.

For folks building, research both and then make up your own mind. Hell, it's you that's gotta drink it and its your taste buds that you gotta please. Not mine or anyone elses.

I've owned and ran all copper and I love the look, but not the expense. SS added into the mix does the same job but with less expense.
Hell, maybe I'm just cheap.
One of these days I'll build me an all SS rig, just for S&G's and because I've never run one. (Yeah, curiosity has gotten me in trouble before too). Just to see. Won't be scientific or anything, but it could be fun.

All this rambling has led to this: Build your rig out of what you got. SS or copper are the 2 best alternatives that most of us know about. Be as safe as possible and have fun.
It ain't rocket science ya'll. Us hillbillies been doing it for a LONG damn time.

Just my $.02
SF

[Drunk-N-Smurf]

Screw them both, I'm gonna build my next still out of gold!

[Hound Dog]

Screw them both, I'm gonna build my next still out of gold!

Damn, got me beat. I was going to use silver. Guess I better start saving some serious bank for some platinum to top you

[carbohydratesn]

How about titanium? 'Ultralight' portable still?

4ft of 4'' titanium tube, 0.025'' thick, is just under $200 online. I wonder if Big Swede could do a few SPP runs with titanium wire...

[Drunk-N-Smurf]

Screw them both, I'm gonna build my next still out of gold!

Damn, got me beat. I was going to use silver. Guess I better start saving some serious bank for some platinum to top you

Silver tarnishes, platinum would be excellent but not as pretty as gold ;p