Still

[bobnr32]

I am ready to start my sac run. Your thoughts are welcome.

[still_stirrin]

I think it'll work.

The small diameter lyne will somewhat limit the speed of the run. How many liters does your boiler hold? It could take you a while to get it done. But it sure is a pretty color.

Do you have a means to replace the water in your flake stand? A long run likely will result in that water heating up.
ss

[bobnr32]

It worked ok on the vinegar run.
It's 20l.
There is a tap and hose behind the blue condenser bucket.
I am thinking of replacing the heater with a ceramic one. Good idea?
How much wine should I use on the sac run, bearing in mind I have Scottish blood?

[yakattack]

Sac run ain't meant to be drunk. So your blood anint got nothen to do with it. I'd run at least half the boiler charge. Give her a good cleaning. When it is running completely clear let her run for a while longer (hot and fast is good for a cleaning run).

I generally do another water run as well just to be sure. As my safety is first and foremost for mesometimes you have to do multiple cleaning runs.



Yak

[bitter]

+yakattack !

Safety first... if in question do another cleaning run.

B

[Danespirit]

+1 Yak
Looks good..
I wouldn't bother to spend the money on a ceramic plate, if you do...be sure it's not for induction as you run copper..!
Instead i would think about a controller for that plate, so you can hold a steady heat.
Alternativly you could get a heavy piece of iron and place it on the plate, it will smooth out the on/off cycle of that hotplate.. (heatup will be a bit longer..).
It will reward you with a much more even/consistant run, thus no huffing in the worm.
Well, it sure is pretty and will deliver a nice drop...

[Muffin Man]

Nice looking setup. Follow the experienced folks direction and you'll be all set. Let us know how it goes and what you decided to do about your heat. Ceramic, steel plate, etc.

[bobnr32]

I've noticed a distinct blue tinge in the lid of my still. The pot is a good colour.
Advice please.

[MashMaker]

I've noticed a distinct blue tinge in the lid of my still. The pot is a good colour.
Advice please.

You have a picture?

[rad14701]

I've noticed a distinct blue tinge in the lid of my still. The pot is a good colour.
Advice please.

Possibly Copper Sulfate, which would be somewhat alarming...

[cranky]

Something that occurs to me is these appear to be fairly old pieces, the seams on the copper appear to be brass. Have you tested the seams for lead?

[bobnr32]

How do I test for Copper Sulphate and lead?

[rad14701]

How do I test for Copper Sulphate and lead?

Lead test kits are available in hardware and paint stores...

I'm not aware of an easy method of testing for copper sulfates but that is what usually causes blue distillate and/or blue crystals/powder to form within a still... Green is usually just copper oxidation which in itself should also be avoided... The blue can be caused by the wash being too alkaline and can be the result of adding baking soda or other methods of raising pH...

[just sayin]

Great looking rig! Did you piece it together or find it that way?
The brass looking joint may be a silver brazing compound like Harris 45% silver or plain old high phosphorus copper, both look like brass, but lead is not usually part of those alloys. I would make sure to clean up blue or green deposits before you run you first sipping stuff.
The inside of the pot should look like a new penny when it is clean. Cut a lemon in half and dip it salt and rub way, re-dip in salt as needed. That is how they have been keeping copper cookware pretty for centuries. I wouldn't touch the outside, the patina is beautiful!
Have fun, be safe!

[bobnr32]

I bought it from a flea market in Bulgaria.

[HDNB]

test for lead
VV
VV
V V- if yes, stop what you are doing get a new boiler.
V
V-if no lead present:

soak in 7% pickling vinegar overnight, it will clean the copper right up, wipe it down, do a water run, do a water/vinegar run, do a sac alcohol run.

V
V
V-proceed to beverage alcohol