How often does copper need to be cleaned? Also a question about silicone tubing
Posted: Fri May 05, 2023 11:39 am
Two questions for the forum:
1.) How often does copper need to be cleaned? I know the blue copper sulfate that forms during the distillation of materials containing trace amounts of sulfur is considered toxic and should not be consumed. My question is, how often is everyone out there cleaning their copper components? Generally, I've been only doing about two full runs before I dismantle the whole assembly and throw all the copper components into that 5:5:1 cleaning solution (hydrogen peroxide, citric acid and water mixture). I admit, every time I do this, the cleaning solution ends up a bright blue color, leading me to think "gosh, I'm glad I cleaned the copper because look at all this copper sulfate I could've been ingesting" However, it is possible I am overdoing it? I've heard some people talk about a 'patina" that they like to form on their copper components. Well, cleaning the copper as often as every two runs, does not allow for enough time to pass for that magic patina to form. How do big industrial distilleries that use large copper pot still do it? How often are they cleaning the copper down?
2.) I read a comment somewhere recently in a youtube video (I think) where someone was poo-pooing the idea of putting a piece of silicone tubing at the bottom of the condenser (in order to better direct the distilled spirit into the collection jars). Did I miss something? I thought silicone was food safe and would not leech out/absorb any flavors? Is silicone tubing "bad"?
1.) How often does copper need to be cleaned? I know the blue copper sulfate that forms during the distillation of materials containing trace amounts of sulfur is considered toxic and should not be consumed. My question is, how often is everyone out there cleaning their copper components? Generally, I've been only doing about two full runs before I dismantle the whole assembly and throw all the copper components into that 5:5:1 cleaning solution (hydrogen peroxide, citric acid and water mixture). I admit, every time I do this, the cleaning solution ends up a bright blue color, leading me to think "gosh, I'm glad I cleaned the copper because look at all this copper sulfate I could've been ingesting" However, it is possible I am overdoing it? I've heard some people talk about a 'patina" that they like to form on their copper components. Well, cleaning the copper as often as every two runs, does not allow for enough time to pass for that magic patina to form. How do big industrial distilleries that use large copper pot still do it? How often are they cleaning the copper down?
2.) I read a comment somewhere recently in a youtube video (I think) where someone was poo-pooing the idea of putting a piece of silicone tubing at the bottom of the condenser (in order to better direct the distilled spirit into the collection jars). Did I miss something? I thought silicone was food safe and would not leech out/absorb any flavors? Is silicone tubing "bad"?