Libman scrubber problem

One Sock · Post by **One Sock** » Sat Jun 20, 2015 11:37 pm

Normally I use a couple of Choreboy scrubbies in my column but the market I was shopping at the other day only had Libman. Bag sez 100% copper like the Choreboys, so I grab a two-pack. I pack my column and do my AG stripping run and when I'm done and do my clean up I see a silvery drop on the column plate that was directly under the scrubbies. The silver wipes off, but of course I'm concerned and remove and examine the scrubbies! The top one is still coppery but turns grey at the bottom, the scrubbie under it is completely grey. I examine them and see dull grey staples and black twist ties holding the damn things together!

I get the sinking feeling I'm gonna have to dump this run, but will wait for your advice...

Post by **BentJar** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 1:29 am

That happened to my twice, so now I order my copper mesh from brewhaus and I have confidence in what goes up the pipe.
I don't cost that much and lasts forever. Its gets a good cleaning just like the still head when needed.
Order 2 rolls and forget the problem.
Like most problems, you throw money at it and it goes away.

Post by **bearriver** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 5:28 am

I never had a problem with Libman brand copper scrubbers, but then again I don't use them anymore...

How did you prepare them? I boiled them 3 times, then put them through a standard series of cleaning runs.

Hound Dog · Post by **Hound Dog** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 7:05 am

BentJar wrote:That happened to my twice, so now I order my copper mesh from brewhaus and I have confidence in what goes up the pipe.
I don't cost that much and lasts forever. Its gets a good cleaning just like the still head when needed.
Order 2 rolls and forget the problem.
Like most problems, you throw money at it and it goes away.

+1. Scrubbies are undependable. Brewhaus has mesh, Amphora has good heavy mesh, personally if I were to go back to copper mesh I would use welding cable per Bushman's tutorial. In my opinion there are better choices out there than mesh for packing though.

One Sock · Post by **One Sock** » Sun Jun 21, 2015 5:52 pm

I just use the scrubbies to put copper in the vapor path of my stainless rig, if I use reflux I pack the column with marbles. The Choreboys have never caused me a problem, and I have used mesh from Brewhaus but it's a mess cutting it. A vinegar soak, wash with PBW and a thorough hot water rinse has always been sufficient. Scrubbies are meant for cleaning food implements, so they can't possibly contain lead, can they?

Hound Dog · Post by **Hound Dog** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 12:57 am

One Sock wrote:I just use the scrubbies to put copper in the vapor path of my stainless rig, if I use reflux I pack the column with marbles. The Choreboys have never caused me a problem, and I have used mesh from Brewhaus but it's a mess cutting it. A vinegar soak, wash with PBW and a thorough hot water rinse has always been sufficient. Scrubbies are meant for cleaning food implements, so they can't possibly contain lead, can they?

No, not lead but cheap steel, zinc, cadmium and other unknown possibilities that aren't bad to wash your dishes with but not for our purposes. I see the point of convenience to what you are doing now though. Just pop a scrubbie in on your marbles and roll is easy. Stick with Choreboy or get the mesh. Heck, it cuts with scissors.

One Sock · Post by **One Sock** » Mon Jun 22, 2015 7:36 pm

Yup, Choreboys or mesh, use the Libbies for cleanup! Hmmm, zinc is supposed to be good for colds, mebe I'll save this run for cold and flu season!

Ga Miner · Post by **Ga Miner** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 12:24 am

The libman scrubs I have bought either had a small plastic or metal ring holding together in middle.

One Sock · Post by **One Sock** » Tue Jun 23, 2015 9:30 pm

Ga Miner wrote:The libman scrubs I have bought either had a small plastic or metal ring holding together in middle.

None of which we want leeching into our product!

Post by **rad14701** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 4:57 am

Ga Miner wrote:The libman scrubs I have bought either had a small plastic or metal ring holding together in middle.

Those are definitely NOT the right type of scrubbers... They should simply say 100% Copper or 100% Stainless Steel... And even then they may not be if they are cheap knock offs from China...

Post by **bearriver** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 6:45 am

rad14701 wrote:
Ga Miner wrote:The libman scrubs I have bought either had a small plastic or metal ring holding together in middle.
Those are definitely NOT the right type of scrubbers... They should simply say 100% Copper or 100% Stainless Steel... And even then they may not be if they are cheap knock offs from China...

Libman scrubbers are from Mexico, and he is right about the clip holding them together. I'd err on the side of caution and advise against using that particular brand.

Personally I think copper mesh is only ideal as a small additive to a still with no copper. Unlike copper, stainless mesh won't corrode or add any off flavors. I had a bad problem with copper mesh getting too corroded between cleaning, which started adding an off taste to my spirits. Since then I switched to stainless and have been one happy camper.

Post by **rad14701** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 12:07 pm

I use SS scrubbers, marbles, and SPP, depending on what configuration I'm running... Never bothered trying copper scrubbers because they break down quicker than anything else...

Ga Miner · Post by **Ga Miner** » Wed Jun 24, 2015 1:07 pm

I never used mine. I ended up ordering a roll of mesh. I was just informing what I found.

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