A few questions

[ZakZHoe]

So I've been stilling for about 2 years (made 7 runs so far) I did my cleaning run and my sacrificial run in my 8 gallon still (its stainless and copper) but for the effort I really wanted to make my pot bigger so I found a beer keg to make this happen (I have talked to many people on the subject of using a beer keg for this and non say its a bad idea as long as there is no coating on the inside like aluminum cans, its some sort of metal alloy. its not fully magnetic so I know its not an all aluminum and unfortunately its not a full stainless steel one that i hoped for) but do I have to do a sacrificial run if I'm going to use the same column and condenser that I have already done a sacrifical run in?
How often do you clean your columns?? I clean mine with 551 after every run, is that too much??
I haven't done a stripping run yet, all the runs I have done have just been "spirit" runs (I read about this after I had already run a few) so I'm trying to find out some more info.
My favorite so far has been a rum recipe 1 gallon of unsulfured molasses with 7lbs of raw cane sugar and a packet of spirit distillers rum yeast and some nutrients (per 5 gallons) the taste is good, so I have thought I don't necessarily need to do a stripping run, but is it necessary to do before a final spirit run? I run it pretty slow, a 5 to 6 gallon mash usually takes me about 7 to 8 hours to run. I like to take my time on everything to make sure its as good as I can make it. Is there any other advise you can give a noobie that I might not know about or haven't come across reading on this forum yet?


Thanks, Zak.

[SW_Shiner]

So I've been stilling for about 2 years (made 7 runs so far) I did my cleaning run and my sacrificial run in my 8 gallon still (its stainless and copper) but for the effort I really wanted to make my pot bigger so I found a beer keg to make this happen (I have talked to many people on the subject of using a beer keg for this and non say its a bad idea as long as there is no coating on the inside like aluminum cans, its some sort of metal alloy. its not fully magnetic so I know its not an all aluminum and unfortunately its not a full stainless steel one that i hoped for) but do I have to do a sacrificial run if I'm going to use the same column and condenser that I have already done a sacrifical run in? I do a sacrificial run for any new parts, especially a new boiler.
How often do you clean your columns?? I clean mine with 551 after every run, is that too much?? Not sure what 551 is, but its been 13 years and im yet to clean any of my columns.
I haven't done a stripping run yet, all the runs I have done have just been "spirit" runs (I read about this after I had already run a few) so I'm trying to find out some more info.
My favorite so far has been a rum recipe 1 gallon of unsulfured molasses with 7lbs of raw cane sugar and a packet of spirit distillers rum yeast and some nutrients (per 5 gallons) the taste is good, so I have thought I don't necessarily need to do a stripping run, but is it necessary to do before a final spirit run? I run it pretty slow, a 5 to 6 gallon mash usually takes me about 7 to 8 hours to run. I like to take my time on everything to make sure its as good as I can make it. Is there any other advise you can give a noobie that I might not know about or haven't come across reading on this forum yet?


Thanks, Zak.

[ZakZHoe]

So I've been stilling for about 2 years (made 7 runs so far) I did my cleaning run and my sacrificial run in my 8 gallon still (its stainless and copper) but for the effort I really wanted to make my pot bigger so I found a beer keg to make this happen (I have talked to many people on the subject of using a beer keg for this and non say its a bad idea as long as there is no coating on the inside like aluminum cans, its some sort of metal alloy. its not fully magnetic so I know its not an all aluminum and unfortunately its not a full stainless steel one that i hoped for) but do I have to do a sacrificial run if I'm going to use the same column and condenser that I have already done a sacrifical run in? I do a sacrificial run for any new parts, especially a new boiler.
How often do you clean your columns?? I clean mine with 551 after every run, is that too much?? Not sure what 551 is, but its been 13 years and im yet to clean any of my columns.
I haven't done a stripping run yet, all the runs I have done have just been "spirit" runs (I read about this after I had already run a few) so I'm trying to find out some more info.
My favorite so far has been a rum recipe 1 gallon of unsulfured molasses with 7lbs of raw cane sugar and a packet of spirit distillers rum yeast and some nutrients (per 5 gallons) the taste is good, so I have thought I don't necessarily need to do a stripping run, but is it necessary to do before a final spirit run? I run it pretty slow, a 5 to 6 gallon mash usually takes me about 7 to 8 hours to run. I like to take my time on everything to make sure its as good as I can make it. Is there any other advise you can give a noobie that I might not know about or haven't come across reading on this forum yet?


Thanks, Zak.

dang I was hoping to run this rum I have fermenting this weekend

551 is a copper cleaner
500 ML of water
50 ML of hydrogen peroxide
1 OZ of citric acid

lets the copper soak in it for like 15 to 20 min and rinse with water and let it dry out comes out super clean.

[Saltbush Bill]

There is absolutely no need for constant cleaning, my stills have never had more than a,quick rinse with fresh clean water in the past 12 years.
I suspect that you've learned that so much cleaning is a good idea from a youtube channel that ive seen. That particular channel has more bad information than good imo.

[Salt Must Flow]

I rinse my packing and my column with water after every run. I never leave my packing in the column. I always pull it out and leave it out to dry. I don't know how many years it's been, but I have never cleaned anything using anything, but water.

Of all of kegs, only ONE is slightly magnetic. The only reason I know is because I just checked using a very powerful little magnet. It's never rusted and shouldn't be an issue.

If I acquired a keg, opened it up, rinsed it out and it's all clean ... I wouldn't bother with any cleaning runs unless I modified the keg. I mean I might boil some water inside it, dump it and rinse it out, but I wouldn't do anything more than that.

[SW_Shiner]

I treat my still like a good cast iron pan. Rinse it when done, wipe or scrub with just water if needed and put it up to dry naturally. I've spent a long time building a patina and character, ( i've no idea if that matters for a still at this scale), i don't want to start over by stripping it all off.

Also, stripping runs do add to the quality of the product, and i highly recommend doing them, as most here would. Makes it a lot easier to make cuts, and really doesn't take much longer in the long run if you have the right gear. Depending on the ABV of the wash, a 25L strip takes about 2 hours and gives me ~8-9L @ ~30%. Three of those gives me enough low wines for the spirit run. Due to my current setup a spirit run is around 4-5 hours, giving me 6-8L @ 62% for ageing.

[Bee]

Only clean the column if you get blue boogers. You might find that a bore scope is hand for finding the source of the verdigris. Sometimes verdigris is a relatively even coating, sometimes it's a concentrated spot. Probably have to remove it mechanically, like scrubbing with steel wool.
Prevent it by rinsing your column with water immediately after a run and making sure it's thoroughly dry.

[still_stirrin]

My big stillhead is 10 years old now. I’ve NEVER cleaned it beyond rinsing with water after a run. In fact, strip runs do a very good job of cleaning and prepping for the spirit run. However, I store my stillheads in the basement furnace room, hanging up so they drain properly. Never had critters or anything try to make a nest in the pipes.

I wash the stovetop still (boiler) out after strip runs. Typically, I just use plain old dish soap and a scrubber to clean out the “smegma” left behind from a strip. And, a quick scrub and rinse after spirit runs is all it needs too.

Like others have said, the systems typically manage pretty good without a lot of stress. As for the copper stuff, a good rinse after use and then air drying is about all you’ll need. The patina will naturally develop and that will help with follow-on runs, reducing the “metallic” quality you can get from “pristine” copper.

What … me worry?
ss

[ZakZHoe]

I rinse my packing and my column with water after every run. I never leave my packing in the column. I always pull it out and leave it out to dry. I don't know how many years it's been, but I have never cleaned anything using anything, but water.

Of all of kegs, only ONE is slightly magnetic. The only reason I know is because I just checked using a very powerful little magnet. It's never rusted and shouldn't be an issue.

If I acquired a keg, opened it up, rinsed it out and it's all clean ... I wouldn't bother with any cleaning runs unless I modified the keg. I mean I might boil some water inside it, dump it and rinse it out, but I wouldn't do anything more than that.

My packing is black when it comes out, is that normal then?? It's a solid copper mesh I got in my shine kit
I'm not gonna modify it, I was just gonna put some star san in it before my first run on it

[ZakZHoe]

There is absolutely no need for constant cleaning, my stills have never had more than a,quick rinse with fresh clean water in the past 12 years.
I suspect that you've learned that so much cleaning is a good idea from a youtube channel that ive seen. That particular channel has more bad information than good imo.

Yeah and also being a clean freak myself figuring the copper would need to be cleaned each time LoL

[ZakZHoe]

I treat my still like a good cast iron pan. Rinse it when done, wipe or scrub with just water if needed and put it up to dry naturally. I've spent a long time building a patina and character, ( i've no idea if that matters for a still at this scale), i don't want to start over by stripping it all off.

Also, stripping runs do add to the quality of the product, and i highly recommend doing them, as most here would. Makes it a lot easier to make cuts, and really doesn't take much longer in the long run if you have the right gear. Depending on the ABV of the wash, a 25L strip takes about 2 hours and gives me ~8-9L @ ~30%. Three of those gives me enough low wines for the spirit run. Due to my current setup a spirit run is around 4-5 hours, giving me 6-8L @ 62% for ageing.

Best way to run a stripping run? I know it's high n fast but can I go too high in heat? How well does flavor and stuff carry over doing that?

[ZakZHoe]

Only clean the column if you get blue boogers. You might find that a bore scope is hand for finding the source of the verdigris. Sometimes verdigris is a relatively even coating, sometimes it's a concentrated spot. Probably have to remove it mechanically, like scrubbing with steel wool.
Prevent it by rinsing your column with water immediately after a run and making sure it's thoroughly dry.

I have a 2in column so I can see inside pretty well, I'm glad I don't have to clean that each time now LoL

[ZakZHoe]

My big stillhead is 10 years old now. I’ve NEVER cleaned it beyond rinsing with water after a run. In fact, strip runs do a very good job of cleaning and prepping for the spirit run. However, I store my stillheads in the basement furnace room, hanging up so they drain properly. Never had critters or anything try to make a nest in the pipes.

I wash the stovetop still (boiler) out after strip runs. Typically, I just use plain old dish soap and a scrubber to clean out the “smegma” left behind from a strip. And, a quick scrub and rinse after spirit runs is all it needs too.

Like others have said, the systems typically manage pretty good without a lot of stress. As for the copper stuff, a good rinse after use and then air drying is about all you’ll need. The patina will naturally develop and that will help with follow-on runs, reducing the “metallic” quality you can get from “pristine” copper.

What … me worry?
ss

I have 2 columns that I can interchange between boilers, guess I'll be running my stripping runs on my keg and my spirits in my 8 gallon

[Salt Must Flow]

ZakZHoe, if your copper mesh comes out black then that just means its doing its job. Give it a rinse, let it sit out to dry and keep using it. Star San is absolutely NOT necessary and completely useless for column packing and any still.

When doing a stripping run, you can crank the power up as high as your product condenser can handle it. Your product condenser is the bottleneck assuming that what you're stripping cannot scorch. If it CAN scorch, then that's the only bottleneck.

[quadra]

So,why do you think it needs to be bright and sparkling... ? I have copper mesh in my system that has not seen more than brew day clean and dry for years.. I don't care if it looks like a rainbow yellow submarine if it does its job, .. and it does. Just clean your gear and put it away dry.... Copper is not going to last as long if you keep beating on it, so if you can wash your column while still assembled and dry it properly between runs.?.. do that.
Honestly this is a procedure we all do and should probably document more for new Distillers. CLEANING IS PART OF MY BREW DAY. clean your gear so the still is as good as you began with. Clean your fermenter, lines and everything else... you will find a ready source of hot water if you are like most of us and if you have gone so late, or long you are too tired to clean up.. you need to start earlier. Take care of your tools.


Grumble grumble rant and rave......

[ZakZHoe]

ZakZHoe, if your copper mesh comes out black then that just means its doing its job. Give it a rinse, let it sit out to dry and keep using it. Star San is absolutely NOT necessary and completely useless for column packing and any still.

When doing a stripping run, you can crank the power up as high as your product condenser can handle it. Your product condenser is the bottleneck assuming that what you're stripping cannot scorch. If it CAN scorch, then that's the only bottleneck.

I only use the star san to disinfect before I run the first time after that I just use soap and water. How much mesh should I have in my column?

[ZakZHoe]

So,why do you think it needs to be bright and sparkling... ? I have copper mesh in my system that has not seen more than brew day clean and dry for years.. I don't care if it looks like a rainbow yellow submarine if it does its job, .. and it does. Just clean your gear and put it away dry.... Copper is not going to last as long if you keep beating on it, so if you can wash your column while still assembled and dry it properly between runs.?.. do that.
Honestly this is a procedure we all do and should probably document more for new Distillers. CLEANING IS PART OF MY BREW DAY. clean your gear so the still is as good as you began with. Clean your fermenter, lines and everything else... you will find a ready source of hot water if you are like most of us and if you have gone so late, or long you are too tired to clean up.. you need to start earlier. Take care of your tools.


Grumble grumble rant and rave......

I just figured it got dirty and needed to be cleaned really like using a glass to drink with, didn't know it's more like a wok and doesn't need to be cleaned ever

[Salt Must Flow]

ZakZHoe, if your copper mesh comes out black then that just means its doing its job. Give it a rinse, let it sit out to dry and keep using it. Star San is absolutely NOT necessary and completely useless for column packing and any still.

When doing a stripping run, you can crank the power up as high as your product condenser can handle it. Your product condenser is the bottleneck assuming that what you're stripping cannot scorch. If it CAN scorch, then that's the only bottleneck.

I only use the star san to disinfect before I run the first time after that I just use soap and water. How much mesh should I have in my column?

Completely full.

[shadylane]

My packing is black when it comes out, is that normal then?? It's a solid copper mesh I got in my shine kit
I'm not gonna modify it, I was just gonna put some star san in it before my first run on it

Black is normal, I wouldn't worry about disinfecting with starsan.
Hot alcohol vapor will do that for Ya.

[Yummyrum]

ZakZHoe, if your copper mesh comes out black then that just means its doing its job. Give it a rinse, let it sit out to dry and keep using it. Star San is absolutely NOT necessary and completely useless for column packing and any still.

When doing a stripping run, you can crank the power up as high as your product condenser can handle it. Your product condenser is the bottleneck assuming that what you're stripping cannot scorch. If it CAN scorch, then that's the only bottleneck.

I only use the star san to disinfect before I run the first time after that I just use soap and water. How much mesh should I have in my column?

Completely full.

Except leave a few inches space below the defleg or takeoff port if its a VM or CCVM .

[Saltbush Bill]

How much mesh should I have in my column?

Completely full.

Except leave a few inches space below the defleg or takeoff port if its a VM or CCVM .

In a reflux column copper mesh needs to be placed in the column in rolls, roll it tight but not so tight it causes restriction when you try to blow through the column.

[ZakZHoe]

ZakZHoe, if your copper mesh comes out black then that just means its doing its job. Give it a rinse, let it sit out to dry and keep using it. Star San is absolutely NOT necessary and completely useless for column packing and any still.

When doing a stripping run, you can crank the power up as high as your product condenser can handle it. Your product condenser is the bottleneck assuming that what you're stripping cannot scorch. If it CAN scorch, then that's the only bottleneck.

I only use the star san to disinfect before I run the first time after that I just use soap and water. How much mesh should I have in my column?

Completely full.

does everyone use mesh only? ive seen people using copper pipe cut offs and pennys from like the 70s, do those work??

[ZakZHoe]

My packing is black when it comes out, is that normal then?? It's a solid copper mesh I got in my shine kit
I'm not gonna modify it, I was just gonna put some star san in it before my first run on it

Black is normal, I wouldn't worry about disinfecting with starsan.
Hot alcohol vapor will do that for Ya.

i meant star san in the pot not anything copper

[ZakZHoe]

How much mesh should I have in my column?

Completely full.

Except leave a few inches space below the defleg or takeoff port if its a VM or CCVM .

In a reflux column copper mesh needs to be placed in the column in rolls, roll it tight but not so tight it causes restriction when you try to blow through the column.

i kinda just stuff it in there :/

[Salt Must Flow]

ZakZHoe, if your copper mesh comes out black then that just means its doing its job. Give it a rinse, let it sit out to dry and keep using it. Star San is absolutely NOT necessary and completely useless for column packing and any still.

When doing a stripping run, you can crank the power up as high as your product condenser can handle it. Your product condenser is the bottleneck assuming that what you're stripping cannot scorch. If it CAN scorch, then that's the only bottleneck.

I only use the star san to disinfect before I run the first time after that I just use soap and water. How much mesh should I have in my column?

Completely full.

does everyone use mesh only? ive seen people using copper pipe cut offs and pennys from like the 70s, do those work??

You can, but like Saltbush Bill said previously, it's best to roll it and insert the rolls of mesh.

I only use 3-4 rolls at the base of my column and fill it up with properly sized Lava Rock.

[Saltbush Bill]

i kinda just stuff it in there :/

As with most things distilling you need to do it the right way, there are very few shortcuts that actually work.
Just stuffing it in there doesn't work for true reflux columns imo.

[ZakZHoe]

I only use the star san to disinfect before I run the first time after that I just use soap and water. How much mesh should I have in my column?

Completely full.

does everyone use mesh only? ive seen people using copper pipe cut offs and pennys from like the 70s, do those work??

You can, but like Saltbush Bill said previously, it's best to roll it and insert the rolls of mesh.

I only use 3-4 rolls at the base of my column and fill it up with properly sized Lava Rock.

lava rock??? thats a new one to me.

[ZakZHoe]

i kinda just stuff it in there :/

As with most things distilling you need to do it the right way, there are very few shortcuts that actually work.
Just stuffing it in there doesn't work for true reflux columns imo.

alright ill pick up some more, thank you

[shadylane]

lava rock??? thats a new one to me.

The proper name is scoria.

[quadra]

Hopefully you read up on it before you went shopping... scoria needs to be sized to match your column diameter if you want thing to work properly. Like SBB said you will want copper under it and a way to keep it all in place and out of your boiler. It is impressive and affordable when done properly.