Copper coins

[Seagull]

How shiny do copper coins have to be to act as boil enhancers?

I soaked a load in vinegar, probably for too long and now they have gone weird (see the dark one in the picture)

I have put them in Coke now and they have improved a bit as in the shinier ones in the picture.

Should I find something to clean them up until they are totally bright and shiny or is shiny-ish and clean enough ?

Thanks

[Myles]

Boil enhancers are all about neuclation points to provide a suitable surface for the formation of a bubble.

Probably going to upset a few folks but flat copper discs probably are not the best option.

A few minature birds nests/ scrubbers made of copper wire might be more efficient.

[Seagull]

I'm I confusing enhancers with something else? I thought you put them in the boiler to prevent a superheated bubble and over boiling together with distillers conditioner?

[hampk]

I use a mix of copper coins and slightly squashed copper pipe offcuts. Myles is I think right about nucleation, but I find the coins lift up and down as the AirStill heats up - resulting in a tinkling sound, and a much smoother run. I guess the coin edges provide the nucleation points.

If I leave the coins out and rely on just the pipe, things are much bumpier.

I also find that the colour of my coins (and pipe) vary depending on what I'm running - they come out very clean during a strip, but are less affected in a spirit run. I'd suggest as long as they are reasonably clean and sterile you'll be fine,

[Dynamic]

Tomorrow I'm trying my rolled up copper wires, I wonder if it's going to make a lot of noise.
Did someone else tried these instead of something else or am I the first one?

[RumJohn]

Right on Myles.

@Seagull: The idea behind using copper of some kind is to insert copper into an otherwise all stainless steel or glass still.

You will not create much of an advantage to boil enhancement by putting a flat object on the bottom of a flat still. Anything can be used. I have found the best to be a stainless steel pot scrubber. Just chuck it in the boiler and the huge amount of surface area will do its job.

[Phantom]

Broken glass pieces work well......

[chill]

Granite gravel... No need to over think this.

[Mash]

Not going to disagree that neuclation points for bubbles are the issue.

Coins create movement and bubbles (in the thin layer of fluid under them) this stops superheating.

Scrubbers alone do not create movement, and I think this might be key.

I have tried both in an AS. Only coinage solved the issue for me.

Different strokes for different folks

[Mash]

To answer the original post. The cleanliness is just that. Nothing to do with operation. I like Citric acid.
Cokes not a bad idea.

I would like to better understand scientifically what happens on the copper surface. You do find some runs clean then.

[hampk]

A couple of interesting reads here:

http://howtomakemooonshine.weebly.com/why-use-copper-stills-when-making-moonshine.html

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/j.2050-0416.2011.tb00450.x/pdf

[chill]

I was stripping rum yesterday, made them bright and shiny.

[Easydrinker]

Strips are usually acidic, and so help to clean copper boil pieces.
Spirit runs are not and will contaminate them with Sulphides.

Robert

[Easydrinker]

Tomorrow I'm trying my rolled up copper wires, I wonder if it's going to make a lot of noise.
Did someone else tried these instead of something else or am I the first one?

Yes mate,I think you are, but don't expect to be the last!
I would not expect much noise.
Let us know how it worked.

Robert.

[Dynamic]

No noise, I think that they hardly move.
I'm still too new to notice the difference with or without coiled up copper wire