Cleaning my First still. Used.
Posted: Mon Aug 18, 2025 1:43 pm
I finally bit the bullet and purchased my first decent still after being disappointed by the air still. It is A grainfather all in one with copper alembic.
It came used from a guy giving up the hobby. Sounded like he mostly used it for beer.
The inside of the dome has a pretty grungy buildup on it.
How would you all suggest getting it properly cleaned up?
My understanding is that the copper is quite a bit more tempramental than the stainless i am accustomed to.
From what i have been able to glean, I believe I need to do a run with a 50/50 mix of distilled water and white vinegar, then another with just distilled water as a rinse?
Then would I go through with a cleaning process of PBW and CIP via the pump? Or will CIP oxidize the copper?
My understanding is that i would also need to dry the dome and condensing arm immediately to avoid oxidation and degradation. How does one dry the inside of the arm properly?
It came used from a guy giving up the hobby. Sounded like he mostly used it for beer.
The inside of the dome has a pretty grungy buildup on it.
How would you all suggest getting it properly cleaned up?
My understanding is that the copper is quite a bit more tempramental than the stainless i am accustomed to.
From what i have been able to glean, I believe I need to do a run with a 50/50 mix of distilled water and white vinegar, then another with just distilled water as a rinse?
Then would I go through with a cleaning process of PBW and CIP via the pump? Or will CIP oxidize the copper?
My understanding is that i would also need to dry the dome and condensing arm immediately to avoid oxidation and degradation. How does one dry the inside of the arm properly?