Home Distiller

Greets all

A few months after I started this hobby, I experienced a few health issues (not over-indulgence related ones!) My doctor has tried to diagnose and simple treatments, with no improvement yet.

Recently a blood test and x-ray suggested the possibility of lead poisoning, though its not confirmed yet.

I have no lead solder or brass in my distillation equipment, so initially I could see no way distillation could be relat ed. However I just remembered that shortly after I started, I found a 3 litre earthenware jug in an op-shop (with 'flour' printed on the side of it) which I have used extensively for aging UJSSM on oak. I do not know if its lead glazed (it does seem slightly glazed) and I have a lead test kit on order, though I will not receive it for some time yet. I will probably dispose of the jug regardless on the chance a lead test is not accurate.

Unfortunately the jug is filled with aging spirit. While the paranoid side of me says to turf it all on the chance its lead contiminated (I can only imagine how 65% ABV spirit leaches lead) the scientific part of me remembered that lead is a heavy metal with a high vaporization temperature, and thus my question is below:

If I toss this (possibly lead contaminated) spirit in the still with a wash, is the distillation going to leave any lead (possibly) present in the pot, and leave the distillate uncontiminated?

I know I am likely to get 'just toss it' in response, but would still like to know if anyone has a different view.

Edit: Obviously I would dispose of the backset left in the pot, and not recycle it back into my fermenter.

- G

I wouldn't even entertain the idea of running a wash that even had the potential for lead contamination

There's lots of lead in the environment. Since Thomas Midgley developed the use of TEL for an octane booster, environmental lead has increased ~ 3000%. That's only since the early 1920's. In the US, we didn't stop using lead in food cans till 1991.
Got no clue whether stilling would remove all or part of the lead- I'd be one of those "dump it" folks.

I am actually interested in the idea of distilling to see if the lead is left behind in a visual state or at least a testable state. Obviously, your not entertaining the idea of drinking the distallate, just wanting to see whats left over in the pot. Keep us updated, as this could be some really IMPORTANT REFERENCE INFORMATION! And just an overall interesting test (minus your health conditions, which best of luck to you. Hope everything works out you)...Reckon, keep us updated on both (if you don't mind!)

Please don't encourage this INSANELY AWFUL idea!!

I am a federally licensed lead-safe renovation contractor. By Federal standards (EPA) 40 micrograms per square foot of floor area (1 microgram= 1 millionth of a gram) of lead dust is considered hazardous. What would be the point of this test if you use your still to produce drinkable spirits?

A minuscule amount of lead can be extremely harmful. Lead dust particles are often so small, you can not see, smell, or taste them. Some of the signs/symptoms:
- Causes high blood pressure
- Loss of sex drive &/or ability
- physical fatigue
- loss of memory & concentration problems
- PERMANENT brain damage
- digestive problems
- nerve disorders
- muscle or joint pain

PLEASE, for the love of humanity, do not attempt this completely hair-brained asinine idea of testing for lead in your still. There is no home test kit available that will accurately test the results. So even if it comes out negative, you could very well have hazardous levels of lead in your drink.


BAD BAD BAD IDEA!!!

i bet it would be pretty surpising the number of things that contain lead, glaze, paint etc. etc. when i think of the hundreds of game birds iv eaten over the yrs. shot with lead shot and likely swallowed my share of lead, im lucky im not blind crippled and crazy. i would take no chances on anything that may contain lead. good luck to ya, hope it turns out.

Listen to smart guy above! Assume the worst and change out your equipment for a known safe replacement

Other heavy metals used in ceramic glazes include cadmium, cobalt, copper, vanadium, barium. Even if your lead test comes back negative, there could be other nasties leeching into your spirit.

Incidentially if you decide to ditch the aged spirit you may need to dispose of it in an environmentally responsible way. Pouring it down the drain wouldnt be good for the fish and waterways.

Just my thoughts