Aussiedistiller, Home Distilling, Moonshine, Home Brew

Greetings all,

My 15 month old T500 is up for saddles replacement. Running SS at the moment. Would I be advised to go to copper to further reduce sulphur (metho) odours? If so will 600grm fill the tower, please?

There is no need to replace them. I’ve been using the same ones for about 4 years. Just give them a clean every couple of spirit runs. I use denture cleaning tablets to clean the stainless steel and citric acid to clean the copper.

Thank you, Deryn. I have been cleaning regularly but the denture tablets are new to me. I have some and will try them today. Thanks

If you can and the cost isn't too big an issue I'd put some copper in there.
From running an all stainless still to a copper still the difference is like day and night as far as taste and smell goes.

Copper it is then and many thanks.

Local brew shop (removed as per forum rules) have ordered me 600grm for A$90.00 which they suggest is enough. Thanks again.

I reckon a couple of copper couplers or elbows (from the big green shed etc) cut up into little pieces would be enough. Especially seeing as you're running a reflux. Cheap too.

$20 worth of copper pipe cut into bits woulda done the trick...

Yup I agree with you all, I paid way too much. But I am a permanent resident of a wheelchair and have serious CIPM following chemo. Not whinging but I am sadly afraid I can only shed a tear when I pass my much beloved tool box these days. :sad:

If I aint over stepping the mark what is cipm.?

Not at all. Stands for Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy, which means I have virtually lost control of fingers and toes. Most writing is done with the aid of voice recognition software. I use "Dragon".

You will notice I didn't pronounce "N" clearly so "Dragon" thought I said "M". :))

Ok. Dam that sux. :handgestures-thumbdown: i dont petend to know what your going through but have two family members dealing with this atm and lost a cousin last year. Keep on fighting the good fight bud :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Hi Arismac

I am pretty new to distilling but do have a T500. My last batch of neutral was the best, you could really tell the difference in quality since I changed the packing. If you have a friend or family member that could help you out, have a go at doing this.

I took a load of 15mm copper pipe and chopped it into 10mm round pieces. Each 10mm piece was then chopped into 3 equal pieces and then each one was bent with pliars to make a sort of half moon shape. I won't lie, it took me a while to do but now my column is three quarters filled with it. The rest of the column has the stainless saddles that were supplied, apart from a very small area that has a stainless scrubby at the end to hold everything in.

Magnus wrote:$20 worth of copper pipe cut into bits woulda done the trick...

If you can find a plumber that uses copper they are sure to have off cuts and scrap copper is cheaper then new pipe.

G'day all. Many thanks for your advice. Ran the T500 with a column full of copper this morning. Cost of copper was nearly as much as the T500 BUT it was is really, really worth it.

Cleanest sweetest smelling spirit I have produced. Will now bubble it for a week but indications are that it will be "top shelf". I am even going to make some liqueurs.

Thanks again.

StillBrewing wrote:Hi Arismac

I am pretty new to distilling but do have a T500. My last batch of neutral was the best, you could really tell the difference in quality since I changed the packing. If you have a friend or family member that could help you out, have a go at doing this.

I took a load of 15mm copper pipe and chopped it into 10mm round pieces. Each 10mm piece was then chopped into 3 equal pieces and then each one was bent with pliars to make a sort of half moon shape. I won't lie, it took me a while to do but now my column is three quarters filled with it. The rest of the column has the stainless saddles that were supplied, apart from a very small area that has a stainless scrubby at the end to hold everything in.

Hi StillBrewing,
I tried to make saddles from 15mm pipe, I cut 10mm small tubes from it, split in 3 equal pieces. When I try to bend the small pieces they kind of snap in the middle. Did you anneal your 15mm pipe?
Can you attach a pic of your saddles?
Sorry to intrude.
Thanks

virge wrote:

StillBrewing wrote:Hi Arismac

I am pretty new to distilling but do have a T500. My last batch of neutral was the best, you could really tell the difference in quality since I changed the packing. If you have a friend or family member that could help you out, have a go at doing this.

I took a load of 15mm copper pipe and chopped it into 10mm round pieces. Each 10mm piece was then chopped into 3 equal pieces and then each one was bent with pliars to make a sort of half moon shape. I won't lie, it took me a while to do but now my column is three quarters filled with it. The rest of the column has the stainless saddles that were supplied, apart from a very small area that has a stainless scrubby at the end to hold everything in.

Hi StillBrewing,
I tried to make saddles from 15mm pipe, I cut 10mm small tubes from it, split in 3 equal pieces. When I try to bend the small pieces they kind of snap in the middle. Did you anneal your 15mm pipe?
Can you attach a pic of your saddles?
Sorry to intrude.
Thanks

How about dropping into the welcome center for an intro mate?