Easy post run clean

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Easy post run clean

Postby res » Fri May 16, 2014 6:34 pm

I'm looking for a way to simplify my post run cleaning regime.
I read somewhere that people run water backwards through there still after a run. By that I mean hooking up a hose to the pc and running the water back through the still and over the plates down into the boiler. From there it would just flow out of my drain and away.
What do the resident boffens think of that? Is it good idea and would the water need to be hot for effective cleaning, was also worried cold water might crack the sight glasses? I guess it would pick up a bit of heat working it's way through the condensers and 90° bends etc.
Thoughts :think:
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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby SBB » Fri May 16, 2014 7:04 pm

res wrote:I read somewhere that people run water backwards through there still after a run. By that I mean hooking up a hose to the pc and running the water back through the still and over the plates down into the boiler. From there it would just flow out of my drain and away.

Thats exactly how I intend doing it once I have my new boiler built, Ive lived with my current unmodified beer keg for far to long, taking columns off boilers to rinse them out has knobs on it.
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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby res » Fri May 16, 2014 7:11 pm

SBB wrote:taking columns off boilers to rinse them out has knobs on it.
:handgestures-thumbupleft:
Cheers for the feed back, does sound like the go. :D
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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby newbiboozer » Fri May 16, 2014 8:25 pm

I just screw my thermometer out that is at the top and stick the hose in and it runs through the plates and the PC. Works for me.
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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby res » Fri May 16, 2014 8:50 pm

newbiboozer wrote:I just screw my thermometer out that is at the top and stick the hose in and it runs through the plates and the PC. Works for me.


And never any problems with cold water hitting hot sight glasses?
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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby newbiboozer » Fri May 16, 2014 8:58 pm

No mate I usually give it 10 minutes or so then drain off my backset, push the boiler to the edge of concrete drain it and rinse. Never busted a SG.
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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby 5 o'clock » Fri May 16, 2014 9:42 pm

I drain the boiler then connect my hose to the drain point and fill up the boiler and column through the drain until water flows out through the product condenser. If I want to let it soak I can rotate the condenser to point up and leave it full for a while (or leave the tap running as a water fountain).

Three would be air pockets under my bubble caps which which are not in contact with water but it is my best effort at a good rinse without a full dismantle of the modules.
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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby res » Fri May 16, 2014 9:55 pm

5 o'clock wrote:I drain the boiler then connect my hose to the drain point and fill up the boiler and column through the drain until water flows out through the product condenser. If I want to let it soak I can rotate the condenser to point up and leave it full for a while (or leave the tap running as a water fountain).

Three would be air pockets under my bubble caps which which are not in contact with water but it is my best effort at a good rinse without a full dismantle of the modules.


I thought about that, and have done it in part. Not to clean the still but to pop out my fill port (finger over the pc until pressure built) but it's a lot of water :think: Would solve the heat issue however.
I'll try the backwards approach and if it fucks up and cracks my sight glasses a small donation to the mac fund helps us all 8-}
Cheers mate. :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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equipment: Custom 4", 5 plate FSD bubbler, 600mm packed section.
50lt keg boiler with 2x 2400w elements
5lt copper pot still

Re: Easy post run clean

Postby MacStill » Fri May 16, 2014 10:03 pm

I doubt you'd crack those SSG's res :handgestures-thumbupleft:
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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby res » Fri May 16, 2014 10:13 pm

MacStill wrote:I doubt you'd crack those SSG's res :handgestures-thumbupleft:


No, me either. Thanks mate.
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equipment: Custom 4", 5 plate FSD bubbler, 600mm packed section.
50lt keg boiler with 2x 2400w elements
5lt copper pot still

Re: Easy post run clean

Postby bt1 » Sat May 17, 2014 9:08 am

being outside I have to disassemble after each run. Same as others here a good hose out is normally it. It gets a major clean every 25 + runs.

One caution in winter pays to dry it well between runs if not using as much to avoid mold/staining etc.

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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby Paulb » Sat May 17, 2014 4:44 pm

How often are most guys disassembling their columns to clean?
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Re: Easy post run clean

Postby MacStill » Sat May 17, 2014 4:57 pm

Paulb wrote:How often are most guys disassembling their columns to clean?


depends what you're running, some wash's are filthy while the neutral type wash's aren't too bad..... low wines even better :handgestures-thumbupleft:

I'd reckon on average every 6th run maybe :think:

BTW: you're profile is out of date :teasing-neener:
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