Lets talk about cleaning a 5 Star still...

[TBone]

Kia ora Team,

I'm almost ready to do some cleaning for my 5 Star still... but have a question or two.

So I have a 5 Star bubbler, and also an add on packed section with 1 kilo of copper mesh. Cleaning wise I have 10 litres of vinegar, citric acid, a TPW ready for a sacrificial cleaning run. As an aside... I also have a decent amount of PBW if need be.

The confusion I have is related to the copper...

Am I better to take the 1 kilo of copper mesh, and the bubbler copper plates and soak them in the citric acid bath separately?

Should I just soak the copper mesh... but keep the bubbler copper plates in the still?

Or am I better to assemble everything together, run with the vinegar diluted half down with water, and then do the sacrificial run with the TPW?

Thanks guys and gals... just want to get this done right the first time! :happy-partydance:

T

[The Stig]

Soak all the copper in citric for 24 hours then rinse really well.
Reassemble the still and do the sacrificial run.
Easy :-B

[TBone]

I like easy! :cool:

Is there a recommended ratio of citric acid powder to water?

[Amberale]

Hey Stig, do you ever bother removing the bubble caps and downers and stripping the plates right down for cleaning?
With a cordless drill it should only take 5 minutes or so and all fit in a couple of smaller containers.

[Onlyalittlebitdodge]

Easiest way for all the copper bits I have found is to run about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of citric acid through the dishwasher at around 45degC. short cycle for light discolouration, the 2hr+ cycle if its worse
If I leave a tub of parts soaking anywhere the misses just fills it up with pots and pans. sigh

[The Stig]

Hey Stig, do you ever bother removing the bubble caps and downers and stripping the plates right down for cleaning?
With a cordless drill it should only take 5 minutes or so and all fit in a couple of smaller containers.

No I just leave them intact

[Amberale]

Hey Stig, do you ever bother removing the bubble caps and downers and stripping the plates right down for cleaning?
With a cordless drill it should only take 5 minutes or so and all fit in a couple of smaller containers.

No I just leave them intact

:handgestures-thumbupleft: