Changing copper fittings and ceramic saddles

[Richfee]

Does anyone know how often i should change the ceramic saddles and copper fittings in my turbo 500 condesor?

[Anavrin]

I don't personally run a T500 but you shouldn't need to replace them, just give them a good clean and use them again, you can clean the copper in citric acid and as for the saddles, I've heard people soaking them in cola cola, I'm sure one of the T500 guys will be able to help

[RumJohn]

Ceramic saddles should be good forever. Copper fittings may disintegrate eventually from the acids used in cleaning and from distillation itself. I used to use woven copper wire and it did not last long at all.

Now I use SS pot scrubbers, Easy to clean and last for ever. However, buy from a restaurant supply or specialty shop. Don't buy the cheap ones.

[YHB]

I do not have a T500 but I have seen favourable reports of people who do, about cleaning stained ceramic packings.

They soak them in steredent false teeth cleaner, the flavourless variety. Seems to make sense - stained ceramic teeth, stained ceramic packing.

[alan]

I backflush my condenser after every run by running water back through the spirit outlet. just attach the cold feed to the outlet unclip the lid an move it a little way so the air can escape then open the drain tap I let it run for about 5 mins, I strip down my column every few weeks and soak the rings an copper bits in citric acid
alan

[Phantom]

Meh! Never cleaned mine. No obvious issues........

But I did get another pack of copper the other week, so I'll likely "give it a birthday"........

[Blue_Duck]

I clean mine everytime i use, i empty the ceramics into a large collander, place into a bucket, Iv'e got one of them steam mop things that come apart so its handheld and blast the beejeezuz out of them.Then drop the copper bits into vinegar for a bit then rinse.

cheers B_D