Must I Do A Cleaning Run?

[Casper]

I have finally gotten my still all together and was wondering if it is absolutely necessary to do a cleaning run. My still is made of sanitary pipe and fittings and breaks down into relativly small components. I have just spent all afternoon cleaning every piece of it out with soap and hot water, boiling all pieces small enough to fit in my biggest pot and then rinsing everything with a vinegar/water mix. I don't think I have cleaned anything so well in my life. This thing shines! Inside and out. I am wondering if this is adequately clean enough to be able to keep my first run to drink. Should I still run a cleaning wash through it? I would feel as if I were simply beating a dead horse if I did, but I am open to suggestions. Thanks.

[olddog]

Yes cleaning is necessary, get a few litres of vinegar water down 50/50 and run it through your still, then get some cheap wine and repeat the same. This is necessary to remove the residue of flux and crap which is present in the manufacturing stage. If you dont do it you spirit will taste like crap and could have a few toxins.


OD

[rubber duck]

Yep, a cleaning run is must. What's it going to cost 10 bucks on the outside?

[ArcticTern]

must. it'll also give you a chance to see how your still runs.

[Dnderhead]

I don't thank vinegar is going to do much for stanless, but I whould run some cheep alcohol threw it. maybe a sugar wash. or a good use for turbos.

[olddog]

Vinegar is acidic, and will help get rid of any flux left from the build.

OD

[Casper]

If this is what is recommended, then a cleaning run I must do. I started my first sugar wash last night. I used Birdwatcher's recipe. It seemed like it would be a hard one to mess up, but time will tell. I will run this thorugh on my cleaning run. I had to alter the recipe a bit to fit in the carboy I am using, but I think I got it right. Although, I was unsure how much lemon to add. The recipe only calls for 3 juiced lemons for an 80 liter wash, so I estimated that 2 for my 17 liter wash would do fine. But after I got my wash kicking, I saw something on here that said I may need more to get the job done. Additionally, I do not have my hydrometer yet and can not measure the SG of the wash. How can I tell when the wash has run it's course? Are there any tell-tale signs I should be looking for or just wait until the airlock stops bubbling?

[rubber duck]

Yep you got it wait until it stops bubbling . Then taste it, if it's not sweet then it's ready to distill.

[Casper]

Easy enough Duck. I will have to keep you posted on the progress of the wash and the run. I will hopefully be running the wash this weekend. What better way to spend an Easter weekend!?

[rad14701]

Yep, good vinegar and alcohol runs are more caustic than soap and water so they will remove flux and toxins that soap and water won't touch... Wasting a small amount of low grade alcohol up front will pay for itself in peace of mind in the long run... Every new or modified still deserves a sacrificial alcohol run for good measure... Better to be safe than sorry...

[LWTCS]

Yep you got it wait until it stops bubbling . Then taste it, if it's not sweet then it's ready to distill.

+1

Looking for it to be dry like dry wine.

[blanikdog]

Geez, we do go on and on about safety don't we?

You won't regret it Casper. Do the cleaning run and learn how YOUR still works. They're all different. You won't regret it and you'll know that you won't be drinking spirit with any nasties that may come from flux.

blanik

[Casper]

Geez, we do go on and on about safety don't we?

You won't regret it Casper. Do the cleaning run and learn how YOUR still works. They're all different. You won't regret it and you'll know that you won't be drinking spirit with any nasties that may come from flux.

blanik

Jeez! You guys have heckled me enough already. Hahahahaha. I will be doing the cleaning run first......indefinately. Thanks for the insight. Thought I could get away without it, but having spent some additional time reading, I understand it is best to do a cleaning run no matter how clean the still may appear to be. Apparently it serves to coat the inside with a protective coating (correct me if I'm wrong), a sort of oxidative Armour-All. I think it will be good to learn how the rig is going to perform as well, as you say blanik. Thanks again for the input. I will let you guys know how the first wash turns out. Should be finished by weeks end. I will try to get some pics up to after this weekend too.

Cheers!