StillSmart

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-23T03:27:54+00:00

Cheers Googe....that was my concern about the BBQ bits....I'll shop around and see what there is...Myles gave me a site will take another look.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Wed Mar 23, 2016 3:27 am

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-22T19:46:09+00:00

Icefever, I've always used stuff from a landscape supply place, the bbq stuff is all mixed pieces usually and not the best quality.I've found the black stuff the best, if you can find it, it's cleaner, doesn't have much lava dust/sand in it like the red stuff does, and it's more porous.

Statistics: Posted by googe — Tue Mar 22, 2016 7:46 pm

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-22T02:02:38+00:00

The best packing is probably woven copper. But it is expensive and deteriorates with both use and cleaning. It is however far superior to marbles, saddles or any of the other options available.

The primary purpose of the packing is to provide surface area within the column. A column packed with woven copper has a far greater surface area than marbles.

The best choice I have found is a good quality restaurant supply type of SS pot scrubber. You get surface area, durability and just rinses off.

Statistics: Posted by RumJohn — Tue Mar 22, 2016 2:02 am

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-22T00:06:13+00:00

Jazz Club.....Nice!
Sorry,it just popped into my head

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Mar 22, 2016 12:06 am

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-21T04:40:45+00:00

This all started off like I said....watching my good lady blind baking a pastry tray.

I maybe a Yorkshire man..but if I can source what I'm after for less, then I will...I'm not tight honest

Back to lava rock...I don't mind sorting it size wise, but 3kg for a fiver looks good to me. The only reservations that I have is the quality/grade of this item..after all it's sold for the BBQ.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Mon Mar 21, 2016 4:40 am

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-21T04:11:25+00:00

You may find that those are quite big lumps but you can break it easily. Its one of the reasons that I bought the gravel instead. I sorted mine to get bits about 6 mm to 10 mm to get a more even packing in the column.

You can also get this from the Koi aquatic centres as machined pellets (filter media) in specific dimensions - but that is off course more expensive.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Mon Mar 21, 2016 4:11 am

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-21T03:51:45+00:00

Cheers Googe...

So a regular bog standard lava rock...Like this washed, sorted to size as you said would work ok ??

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Mon Mar 21, 2016 3:51 am

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-20T20:09:39+00:00

I've only used ss scubbers and lava, have been using lava for the past few years now as I prefer it. Make sure you use small thumbnail sizes, larger sizes tend to create some channeling.

Statistics: Posted by googe — Sun Mar 20, 2016 8:09 pm

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-20T18:41:33+00:00

Seagull wrote:
What would you use to clean stainless steel saddles? Soak in citric acid maybe? And how strong would the citric acid solution need to be if it's the right thing to use?

You can use anything really. It's just that you have to make sure that you can get all of the chems used for cleaning off.

People often think of bleach but it takes a lot of rinsing to remove all traces of it.

Your idea of using citric solution is good, if you soak stuff overnight, it should rinse off easily. Citric acid is what's suggested for cleaning staining and scale build up if you use an air still for water.

Statistics: Posted by Phantom — Sun Mar 20, 2016 6:41 pm

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-20T16:19:47+00:00

Cheers Ice. Will give that a go.

Statistics: Posted by Seagull — Sun Mar 20, 2016 4:19 pm

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-20T15:01:31+00:00

Some guys do soak in a mild citric acid...I do to etch the surface of SS.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Sun Mar 20, 2016 3:01 pm

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-20T12:46:05+00:00

What would you use to clean stainless steel saddles? Soak in citric acid maybe? And how strong would the citric acid solution need to be if it's the right thing to use?

Statistics: Posted by Seagull — Sun Mar 20, 2016 12:46 pm

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-20T12:31:11+00:00

Some baking beans are ceramic but others are aluminium.

Statistics: Posted by Myles — Sun Mar 20, 2016 12:31 pm

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-19T00:53:01+00:00

Here is a post as useful as a Chocolate fireguard...
I know that on some home stilling forum somewhere, I have seen baking beads referenced for column packing.
But I can't remember where...

Robert

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Sat Mar 19, 2016 12:53 am

Re: Column packing???

2016-03-18T15:40:51+00:00

I'm going to use my SPP for the first time this weekend, I'll let you guys know how I get on

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Fri Mar 18, 2016 3:40 pm