All American Pressure Sterilizer (Aluminum)

[bwpz]

Can it be used as a potstill? I read a thread and someone argued that aluminum could be used, but it's just not as good as SS or copper. I'd be using a $5 copper tubing from Lowes as well. I don't want to use any dangerous equipment, so are they fine? Thanks.

[Ghost]

Personally I would spend the extra money on a SS pot. Aluminum will pit over time and who knows what could be leached over into your product.

[bwpz]

I will quote this from the other thread that I read. I want to invest in a SS, I just need to do a few runs first.

That black coating is the oxide layer, it naturally forms on aluminum and actually PROTECTS your aluminum pot from corrosion. It DOES NOT harm you in any way

Here are some excerpts from the wikipedia article on Al (all excerpts had links to a reliable source)
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminum" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow)

"Aluminium is nontoxic"

"Corrosion resistance is excellent due to a thin surface layer of aluminium oxide that forms when the metal is exposed to air, effectively preventing further oxidation." <i>-This is that black layer</i>

"Aluminum is a good thermal and electrical conductor, by weight better than copper"


And again, IT IS NOT POSSIBLE FOR ALUMINUM TO CARRY OVER INTO YOUR DISTILLATE! It is a heavy metal and will stay behind in the pot during distillation. Don't believe me, here's an excerpt about distilled water (these purifying properties apply to any distilled liquid, why do you think that all distillates come out white and clear and don't have a silvery aluminum tint to them?)

"Distilled water is produced when water is passed over a heated coil and then vaporises. Volatile organic contaminants (gases) are discharged through a built-in vent. <b>Minerals and salts are retained in the boiling chamber</b> as hard deposits or scale. The steam then rises and transfers to a cooling chamber where it condenses and becomes a liquid again. <b>The resulting liquid contains no solids, minerals or trace elements.</b>

Distillation <b>separates water from inorganic compounds like <i>lead</i></b>‚ calcium and magnesium. Distillation also destroys bacteria. It <b>removes</b> organic and inorganic chemicals, <b>heavy metals</b>, volatile gases, and other contaminants."

[Ghost]

bcboyz86 wrote:
So I bought a pressure cooker and realized later its AL. And from different people have mixed feelings about it. Some say that's its bad because the AL could poison you because its a heavy metal which is a valid point, then the flip side is AL is used to distill water... So the aluminum must not carry over into the gasses and out through the distillate...with this little nugget of truth it seems logical to me that the same would be expected from alcohol vapor. Yes the wash would most likely eat away at the aluminum, but any sediment or particulates would raise along with the drinkable vapors I'm going for... So it seems to me that the worst that could happen is I eventually will need a new boiler, and in the mean time just be on the look out for that golden egg. But NOT being a chemist, I may be overlooking some science behind alcohol vapors and AL that "Joe Schmoe" doesn't know...
So, what if you're wrong and when pot stilling some of the aluminum oxide carries over into your spirits and you are ending up with enough to cause problems...??? Then what...???

Rads response - When refluxing at high purity there wouldn't be as much risk as pot still, but I still wouldn't gamble on getting dementia or worse... Remember, aluminum doesn't have to outright kill you to kill you... Prolonged exposure, cumulative effect, leading to potentially lethal side effects, just doesn't sound like my kind of fun and I won't take that gamble on my future or the future of those I share with...



Now for just about every post you can find in favor of using something (Aluminum) other than SS and copper I would be willing to bet I can find one that says you shouldnt. Not sure how big a pot you are planning on using but you can pick up the smaller SS pots pretty cheap. I just wouldnt risk it - but thats just me.

[bwpz]

The whole reason I was looking into this was the fact that I have a 25qt sterilizer already, but it turns out it's aluminum. I see videos on youtube where they use Aluminum pressure cookers just fine. Aluminums melting point is 1,221°F, and that's to liquid, not gas. What's the chances of aluminum affecting the alcohol vapors?

[Richard7]

Long story short, NOT recommended here, there is tons of arguments about this but only Stainless steel and copper are recommended.

[bwpz]

Would it be a bad thing to do like 5 runs out of it so I can purchase a SS one? What is a good SS one to use?

[Ghost]

why would you need to do 5 runs in order to buy a SS one? just wait until you have the money to purchase one- if you are going to do something do it right.


Unless you are saying you need to do 5 runs in order to sell the product and if that is the case then you are looking for way more trouble than just not using a SS pot.

[bwpz]

What kind of SS pot do I need? Just a pot or a pressure cooker? Do I need the big pot with the lid and the clamps?

[Ghost]

That all depends on what how big you want to go - there are different sizes available. The draw back to having a smaller still is you are going to get less product and have a harder time making good quality cuts. The positives are you might not have the space to run a full blown bigger still Nor have the time to put in running a bigger rig - typical time frame from start to finish for me on my still is 8-10 hours. so basically all day.

[bwpz]

I like the idea of the 5 gallon wash with a big pot on the stove. Can you link me to a cheap SS pot setup?

[Ghost]

I could - but I am not

there are tons of plans with pics on this site that should help you get a good starting point. The search function is your friend

[bwpz]

I have much reading to do. I want to get a mash/wash going, and that will give me some more reading time.

[cornsqueezer]

I wouldn't start a mash/wash until I knew a little more.I know You are excited, but thats when you make mistakes just say'n.

[Prairiepiss]

I have much reading to do. I want to get a mash/wash going, and that will give me some more reading time.

If you are still reading. And haven't built a still yet. Then starting a ferment is not the best idea. Because then you will have something making you want to rush. And this is not a rushing hobby. Best to wait until you have the still built and you have a good understanding of how to operate it. Then start a ferment. Or the next question you be asking is. How long will my wash keep?

It's good to be gung ho but use it in the right direction.

And the aluminum thing is a dead horse. Plenty of info out there to make a good decision from.

[bwpz]

I don't have the funds for a SS pot right now. After a few runs I will have saved enough money to invest in one, since I won't have to buy my own alcohol.

I will set up my potstill and run some water/vinegar through it and all, just to mess around with it. I still would like to know a good recipe, I want to start with sugar wash with a mix of apples.

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. I'm going to go against your words and try my high quality AA pressure sterilizer, I see nothing wrong with it for 2-3 runs, and if that's my downfall then I'm not meant for this. I grow marijuana and mushrooms, I'll use my best decision making in this as well.

[Richard7]

I grow marijuana and mushrooms, I'll use my best decision making in this as well.

That fine for you if that is what you want, but that is not what this forum is for, http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =35&t=5090
Look at rule # 6

Just don't forget to get you a good boiler other than aluminum. not preaching, just saying!

[bwpz]

I grow weed legally (:. Please tell me I can do around 3 runs with the AA pressure sterilizer, then I'll buy the best equipment possible :p

Can you link me to a good SS pot/lid setup?

[Richard7]

I would recommend a keg for you, it is a good size and a lot of people have good advice on how to use them.
They come in many sizes and if you want to go bigger or smaller you can. Its not what I use but I was not in as big of a rush as you seem to be.
Slow down, smell the ferment, and do it right. I'm not saying you have to do it my way. Just offering some advice.

[bwpz]

I'm soaking up all your advice, and I'll look into the Kegs. I didn't know they were for Moonshine :p

I'm just tired of buying mediocre moonshine from the local crackheads, I want to supply myself xD

I will be doing a run tomorrow, just water and vinegar. I need a sugar wash recipe, and then I can do some experimentation.

[Ghost]

I grow weed legally (:. Please tell me I can do around 3 runs with the AA pressure sterilizer, then I'll buy the best equipment possible :p

Can you link me to a good SS pot/lid setup?

It sounds to me as if you are going to do whatever you want to do even though there have been several here to say SS only in this thread and tons of others on this site. Take a deep breath and slow down a bit - all will come in due time.

Kegs can usually be picked up pretty cheap = 75.00 is the going rate around here.

[bwpz]

I grow weed legally (:. Please tell me I can do around 3 runs with the AA pressure sterilizer, then I'll buy the best equipment possible :p

Can you link me to a good SS pot/lid setup?

It sounds to me as if you are going to do whatever you want to do even though there have been several here to say SS only in this thread and tons of others on this site. Take a deep breath and slow down a bit - all will come in due time.

Kegs can usually be picked up pretty cheap = 75.00 is the going rate around here.

I will look into getting a Keg. A keg would work great as a SS potstill over the stove?

I just figured if the Aluminum could handle 2-3 runs (like many others have also said on this site), that would help in aiding a keg purchase. I need to read and practice more, but I want to practice with a decent recipe. I'm going to practice with water/vinegar for the next few days (yes, out of the aluminum AA cooker ).