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I just put together a new column for my pot still. It is 1 1/2 "copper pipe, 24" tall. 18" of copper packing (Chore boy scrubbers). Did a water run and than a vinegar run. Took it all apart to rinse and clean.

While rinsing the scrubbers, the water is coming out murky. Any ideas?

that could be from the cutting oil used to make scrubbers

Those always have some oil on them.I always wash them with soap and boil them in some vinegar water.I use the stainless ones.I already have lots of copper in the vapor path.

I soaked them in hot dish water, that seemed to do the trick. I think I will boil them just to make sure.

Thanks Guys

Got everything cleaned up. Ran 5 gal of UJSM through it. It came out 90% on the front end and had a real heady aroma to it. It took about 3 pint to get a way from the heads, got 4 pints drinkable (80% down to 40%) and 1 pint of tails.

Does that sound about right for a packed column on a pot still?

Going to take half the packing out next time.

Not real experienced with packed pot stills but there seems to be a fairly high heads ratio compared to the hearts. Not running a bit too quick were you?

No, ran it it pretty slow, took about 12 hours.

Of course you did you don't get 90% up front when you are running fast.


Silly tracker

As-Ol-Joe wrote:No, ran it it pretty slow, took about 12 hours.

Jeez, 12 hours for less than 4 litres total product, and shine at that
I do that in 2 hours for a strip, i spose it'd take 3 hours if i was only doing a single run with my pot still. Only comes out at 65% to start though (i water my spirits down to 40% before drinking anyway).

I wouldn't run my still anywhere near as much as i do if it took that long.
Bet it's some fine tasting spirit though, no tails getting dragged through there

I thru out the first 200ml. The heads have an almost sicking, sweet, corn smell to it. I wouldn't think there be that much flavor come through that early.

This is a new toy and I'm just learning to run this one.

As-Ol-Joe wrote: It came out 90% on the front end and had a real heady aroma to it. It took about 3 pint to get a way from the heads, got 4 pints drinkable (80% down to 40%) and 1 pint of tails.

Does that sound about right for a packed column on a pot still?

Going to take half the packing out next time.

Nope doesnt sound like a pot still at all .It only take me 6 hrs do do a single run with cuts . on a 15 gallon pot still.

Thats a long run! I ran 8 gallon of low wines{40%} last night,and ran it fairly slow since it was a spirit run,and it took 4 1/2 hours.My stripping runs only take 3,and im not running hot.I got 4 1/2 gallons of super clean potstilled neutral out of the 8 gallons.It started at 70% and I stopped at 40%.I threw out over a quart of the first runnings,and did cuts so I could keep the hearts.I have 3 gallons of them at 140proof.

I have a coil in a bucket pot still and to me twelve hours is normal. I do run slowly on purpose and usually get 75abv to begin and ten/twelve hours later I'm getting 40abv, or maybe a little less. Am I running too slowly?

blanik

I wouldn't call that a pot still not with a 24'' column
and packing

blanikdog wrote:I have a coil in a bucket pot still and to me twelve hours is normal. I do run slowly on purpose and usually get 75abv to begin and ten/twelve hours later I'm getting 40abv, or maybe a little less. Am I running too slowly?

blanik

How big a wash


I run a gentle strip at 4 litres an hour.

I run a spirit run at 3 litres an hour...

I had the 1 1/2 inch pipe and decided to put it on my pot and pack it to see what difference it would make over an unpacked column. I wanted some reflux, but had no real idea what to expect. I was impressed. I think I like my pot still better.