StillSmart

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-17T23:38:07+00:00

Rashig rings have a hole in the middle...
I hadn't considered copper washers,I think it a good shout.
To be honest,I think all sorts of stuff would work.
I'll try and remember to strip the insulation from some old 2.5mm Twin & Earth for my next run,'cos I think 1/2 metre of that that will work too.
Don't overthink this stuff,and don't listen to ANYONE telling you there is only one way to skin a rabbit.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sun Jan 17, 2016 11:38 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-17T17:47:37+00:00

It's shape and surface area. Not sure the hole in the middle helps.

Try this..
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_watcher

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Sun Jan 17, 2016 5:47 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-17T11:33:22+00:00

Maybe copper washers would be a compromise you could all agree on?! Go make friends with your local motorcycle mechanic & I'm sure they would part with a handful for a bottle of product

Benoit

Statistics: Posted by Benoit — Sun Jan 17, 2016 11:33 am

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-16T22:03:17+00:00

The internet is great!

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sat Jan 16, 2016 10:03 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-16T16:39:42+00:00

Ordered?

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Sat Jan 16, 2016 4:39 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-16T14:40:31+00:00

2 dozen 1967 british pennies ordered and delivered. Only cost a few quid and I figure they'll last a few years. Still waiting for the kale wash to finish. Want to get on with next batch of neutral so i can make some Pineau. Favourite drink when in france.

Statistics: Posted by MagicH2o — Sat Jan 16, 2016 2:40 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-12T05:47:15+00:00

Robert

To quote someone else... (and i can't remember who) "if I agreed with you, we would both be wrong". The original quote was a comment to their wife

The shape is everything. Bits of pipe do not have the same amount of surface area touching the boiler surface.

The coins work the same as a milk saver...
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milk_watcher

Cutters are here.. http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.vi ... 94&alt=web
Although cheap they are very good... I have been using them for years.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Tue Jan 12, 2016 5:47 am

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-11T22:50:04+00:00

Do point me at a pipe cutter for pence,'cos I need a new one.
I usually stack and smack my bits of copper pipe,never a sharp edge.
And IMHO pipe does exactly the same thing as coins...
It is just as well that we agree to differ on this site.
Without the name calling that seems to happen elsewhere.

Robert

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Jan 11, 2016 10:50 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-11T06:49:38+00:00

IMHO pipe doesn't do the same thing.

Another thought... all the DIY shops do pipe cutters for pence. You will be handling the shrapnel you make, these make that experience much nicer.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Mon Jan 11, 2016 6:49 am

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-11T02:54:55+00:00

It may be easier to grab a piece of copper pipe and a hacksaw?...

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Jan 11, 2016 2:54 am

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-10T20:15:14+00:00

Easydrinker, mash and still. Thanks again for your help. I've used the ceramic saddles that came with the air-still so far. I am the look out for older coinage and will use these as soon as I get them.
Cheers guys

Statistics: Posted by MagicH2o — Sun Jan 10, 2016 8:15 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-10T19:04:51+00:00

Yup. We agreeing.

I tried granite... But gave up. Made no difference coin and pipe IMHO works best.

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Sun Jan 10, 2016 7:04 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-10T18:27:34+00:00

I think Mash and I are agreeing: you need something in the boiler for bubbles to form on to prevent surge boiling and you need copper to deal with sulphur in the wash. We are just discussing if the physical form of the copper (coins or rings) has a material impact on their effectiveness. I also have pieces of granite gravel in mine to prevent surge boiling.

Statistics: Posted by chill — Sun Jan 10, 2016 6:27 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-10T18:04:12+00:00

Firstly, MagicH2o, I am glad that you have had a reasonable result.
It will get even better, give or take the odd hiccup.

Next, And here I feel the need to put on a schoolteacher hat, as chill and mash are not agreeing with each other,or me!
In my experience, and opinion, you need boil pieces in an AirStill.
Some are happy using only ceramic rings.
Pieces of cut off Cu pipe will perform the same anti-surge function as ceramic rings or Cu coins,if you use a decent handful.
Coins have been the simplest for some users.
IMHO, getting copper in contact with your product, in the still or the condenser, is one of the best things that you can do.
Now make sure your homework is on my shelf in the morning.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sun Jan 10, 2016 6:04 pm

Re: Kale Mash forces purchase of new Air Still

2016-01-10T11:38:36+00:00

chill wrote:
@Mash: can you expand on the difference between coins and rings of copper pipe? I only have coins, but would have expected a similar result. The penny has been phased out in Canada so once the ones I have are eroded away, I will need a replacement. A few years away granted.

Make sure the 1p's and 2p's are not magnetic - you want copper ones!

How they work. Tiny little gas bubbles boil in the thin film created between the 1p piece and the boiler surface. These little bubbles then flip or shudder the coin and thus agitate the rest of the boil. Pipe rings are a different and dont do this. This movement stops the liquid superheating. It is superheating that causes pukes & boil overs. Remember the thing about taking a cup of boiled water out of a microwave and stirring it, and then it boils over in your hand. This is what they stop.

I use about half a tumbler full. If your air still comes with a small packet of rings, these will do short-term but seriously, get some currency in there.

Coinage are mandatory, pipe is optional IMO.

The copper content also has an effect on smoothing the alcohol, there is evidence to suggest it reacts with sulphurous compounds. The pipes assist with this for sure, by having a greater surface area.

Two different things. Two different jobs

Statistics: Posted by Mash — Sun Jan 10, 2016 11:38 am