hello new to u

[cabin boy]

I have been following your site for a few months and have decided to join. I am a commercial captain and engineer. I live in the USA. also have built a 15 gallon keg cooker tri clamp, with 2 inch X 28 packed column with a cold finger head 2X8 with a digital themometor. all tees have been hand made and all joints 15% silver brazed with oxy acyt. I work 2 week on 2 weeks off so when I get home in 10 days I am going to make my first wash (gerber econe wash). Copper prices are out of this world so I got my copper from a commercial refrigeration guy (scrap pieces in his truck) all L grade. For $10.00 The keg I purchased from my local bar for 35.00 deposit fee and the propane burner was salvaged from a friends back yard, I did however have to purchase a half pound of brazing sticks $44.00 a pound.. All that is left to do is insulate the keg and column and make a wash to run, I will submit some pics after I return home. Any and all suggestions will be thankfully accepted.

[scarecrow]

Hi cabin boy. Welcome to the forums.

If you have second hand copper make sure you clean it well. I have found it is usually full of green gunk and scale. Give it a good vinegar wash and see what comes out. Scale is hard to clean out of small diameter tubing.

First run through your still would be a vinegar/water wash. Very effective for cleaning copper, especialy when it gets hot. All the black muck and solder bits will come out along with god knows what.
Then do a water only run to flush it. This'll test your condenser.
Then do a sugar wash and dump it.

Now your ready for the real McCoy.

That's how I cleaned my pot still. Others may do it differently.

Copper prices in OZ have gone berserk. I just paid $33 for a metre of 1". If the boss finds out I'm done for.

scarecrow

[rad14701]

Greetings, cabin boy...

Sounds like you're on your way... Be careful, this hobby is addictive...

Good luck...