Cleaning the tube in a airstill machine?

[sinder]

i wonder how this special washing powder u buy for distilery machines, is it just to mix the powder with water and into the distillery and then turn it on? or how does it work?
Ive got a Air-stiller machine but im very new to cooking, just cooked bout 20Liters of pure vodka the last 2 weeks.
How often should i do the cleaning? i cook everyday.
Can i leave a Airstill machine on and cooking without needing to watch it so it doesnt start a fire or something.

[Phantom]

The only time I ever cleaned the condenser tube in my one, I carefully dismantled the top to remove the condenser tubing, then just rinsed it through with a weak solution of dish soap liquid and water, then followed that with a rinse of 3 parts water and 1 part white/distilled vinegar so all the soap was removed/neutralised. Then it was well rinsed with water to remove any trace of the vinegar before blowing it through with compressed air and hanging it in a warm place for a couple of hours to dry the fins before re-assembly.

I probably went over the top with all that.

I understand you can just run a 10% distilled vinegar mix, then follow that with distilled/RO water. Plus there are some crystals that can be put into the boiler with water (to above any "tide mark" that shows inside the boiler), this is done without the lid on the boiler lid on. Once its heated to steaming its switched off and cooled before disposing of the liquid and just rinsing with clean water and drying out.

[chill]

I only clean the boiler when it looks dirty. I've never used the crystals, Barkeepers Friend works well for me. For the tube, I rinse it out over my laundry sink if I have been running anything smelly like gin or rum or if I have had a puke. I have a hose attached to the faucet in the sink and hold the end of that against the hole in the lid to rinse it out.

Chuck

[sinder]

Ok thanks, is it needed to clean the tube if i just make moonshine from it?

[billmcc]

I turn the lid upside down then fill the condencer tube with a hot citic acid solution then leave it to stand 20 mins then rinse through this cleans it well it also cleans the copper wire i have threaded through

[Frank]

@sinder
I use boiling water slowly/safely poured through 'the tube' (aka vapour path) soon after a run and then make sure its empty (I usually take the time to ensure my Airstill tube/head is free of liquid and then let it sun-dry for a few hours.......)
Later, a good rinse immmediately prior to a new run will take care of most 'things'' IMHO.
Its a given that the boiler is best kept 'stainless' as much as possible.