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Do I need to treat the brass union that attaches the bottom of the column to the lid of the boiler? I would assume any lead salts leached from the brass would drip down into the boiling pot and remain there until dumped or washed out.

I posted in a thread about something similar to this, "aluminum pot" or something like that, I can't remember. My thought would be that if you could avoid brass in the column, then use something else. It would probably be fine, if it was me I'd scrub the brass real well, rinse it out with a lot of water, then let it soak for while in the highest proof vodka I could find to leach out what I could, and I'd use plenty of teflon tape on the threads where bits of brass would be most likely to chip or something.

At the end of the day though, there isn't that much lead in brass to begin with so it would probably be fine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brass" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

You could soak the brass in a hydrogen pyroxide/white vinegar solution for 7-8 minutes, I think the ratio is 1 part HP, 2 part vinegar.

Being that the brass union is at the bottom of the column just above the lid of the boiler, wouldn't any metal salts from the brass just drop down into the wash? I don't think they would travel up the column with the steam , would they?

I put this union here so I can put a pot still head on the same boiler lid if I choose to.

byacey wrote:Being that the brass union is at the bottom of the column just above the lid of the boiler, wouldn't any metal salts from the brass just drop down into the wash? I don't think they would travel up the column with the steam , would they?

I put this union here so I can put a pot still head on the same boiler lid if I choose to.

Read my posts in this thread,

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... uminum+pot

The lead salts would fall out, just as any heavy metal would.
DISCLAIMER read that thread for the safety precautions I mentioned there!!!

Thanks Defcon4, I appreciate the reply. It's pretty much confirms what I thought.

bourbonbob:
You could soak the brass in a hydrogen pyroxide/white vinegar solution for 7-8 minutes, I think the ratio is 1 part HP, 2 part vinegar.

hydrogen peroxide comes in many strength, if not mistaking at drugs store you can get from 4% to 20%.

so 1 part hp 2 part vinegar doesnt tell us much

From memory it is 1 part 3% H2O2: 2 parts 5% acetic acid (standard household white vinegar).

thanks hook

i found this on the subject if can help other

http://hbd.org/hbd/archive/3163.html#3163-21" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

after you solder a brass fitting do you need to delead it again?
if so is the peroxide+vinegar is dangerous for copper?

edit: or for the lead free solder