Copper saddle and ceramics

[wingwong]

Hi all, I am a newbie so please be gentle I have just purchased a T500 and have successfully done my first wash, however, I cannot find any references about removing the copper and ceramic saddles for cleaning, do I remove them after every use and do they need replacing, sorry for the long post, many thanks

[Capt-Cudellez]

No need to clean after every run, as the heads from the next run will wash out all the remaining tails stink.
If you are storing it in the house rather than a garage, this smell can be pretty off putting, when its all cool remove the lid and plumb the water tube to the product condenser output, run warm water through it for a bit, this will flush out the condenser and the packing from the top down.

Dont be tempted to do this when its still connected to the still and full of vapour, as it will collapse the vapour and crumple the boiler.

[Electrif]

Dont be tempted to do this when its still connected to the still and full of vapour, as it will collapse the vapour and crumple the boiler.

Is that physics talking ?

[vino-tinto]

I agree with Capt C, every 3 to 4 runs, I leave my boiler to cool down, sometimes till the next morning, drain off the boiler, then remove the spirit take off tube and fit my water tube to it, give it a reverse flush with warm water with the drain tap open.
Remember if you see water leaking from the top whilst flushing, its OK, a reflux column must vent, if it where sealed tight it might go bang when in use.