Should I switch to SS scrubbers instead of Racshig Rings

[Anavrin]

Hi Guys

So far with all my spirit runs I've been using 6mm Racshig Rings packed in 1 meter of a 2 inch column, I have loads of SS scrubbers that I've picked up in pound shops but I've never used them, mainly because I spent a lot on the ceramic rings and wanted my £££ worth.

However I've been doing a little reading and some suggest SS Scrubbers are more efficient in columns under 2 1/2 inches, I normally get 92-93% with my rings but I would like to know what others use and if anyone has had better results with the scrubbers?

[vino-tinto]

I too used racshig rings as an experiment in my 54mm boka, but swapped them out for SS scrubbers. I did not get a higher ABV but got a more purer tasting product. I have since moved to SSP, which IS producing 94% continuously. SS scrubbers have a better HETP value then the rings so you should see some improvement.

[YHB]

There are scrubbers and there are scrubbers lots of different ones in the shops, Some you can squash and see through others are a lot more dense, the copper ones seem very lightweight.

I must be lucky. The first ones I tried gave me 95.5% in a 12" column. It tasted like s**t but it was 95.5%. I needed to add another 24" height to provide enough room for the vapours to stack up and allow me to pull off a clean taste.

Trouble is I can only pull off 95.5% people have talked about de-tuning the column by removing some of the scrubbers, I want to put my rum through it at a lower strength but I still get 95.5%.

If you are looking for high % then my experience says that you can do it with SS scrubbers from the pound shop.

You have bought them so you have nothing to lose by trying them. Keep the Racshid rings for making Rum and you will still get your money's worth out of them as well.

[Anavrin]

Cheers guys, it's a purer tasting product I'm after, a more "neutral" neutral so to speak.

I'm gonna have a go with the scrubbers next time, got one more lentil wash to finish then I'll have a good 20 litres of strip to dilute for a good spirit run, fingers crossed :-)

[Fil]

have all the scrubbies passed rust and nonmagnetic tests?? the £shop ones ive bought are all magnetic and some have rusted after a weeks use in the washing up bowl.

[Easydrinker]

In my experience,some grades of SS are magnetic,the real pain is when you find that it is a coated product and does rust.
I would check that before packing your column.
Interestingly,I have bought better quality scrubbers in pound shops than online.
Good luck,
Robert

[RumJohn]

For rum, I don't use scrubbers and a short column. And push the hell out of the still. Stripping run will average out at 50% and spirit run at 80%. Perfect for rum.

Neutral spirit requires a reconfiguration of the still. Column is 3x the length and packed with SS scrubbers. But them from a restaurant supply place. Restaurants need good scrubbers. SS scrubbers give a greater surface area than rings.

An hour for equilibration and then slowly draw off spirit at 95-96%. NB. The low wine used here has been stripped with no scrubbers.

I don't use charcoal filters for anything.

[Anavrin]

Cheers for the info, they are slightly magnetic, but we've been using them at home and weekends away in the caravan for pots and pans, none have rusted yet so I'm happy with that :-)

[Boozoid]

I went with some pound land scrubbers. I found them magnetic, but I subjected one to a very strong salt bath for over a couple weeks and it did not rust.

My product comes out 95% without trying 2" boka 1.5m