Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Reflux still design and discussion

Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby Arismac » Sun Oct 07, 2018 3:03 pm

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?
Last edited by Arismac on Sun Oct 07, 2018 3:03 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby deryn » Sun Oct 07, 2018 3:28 pm

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.
Last edited by deryn on Sun Oct 07, 2018 3:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby Arismac » Sun Oct 07, 2018 3:36 pm

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
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby warramungas » Wed Oct 10, 2018 11:42 am

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.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby Arismac » Wed Oct 10, 2018 4:33 pm

Copper it is then and many thanks.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby Arismac » Wed Oct 10, 2018 4:45 pm

Local brew shop (removed as per forum rules) have ordered me 600grm for A$90.00 which they suggest is enough. Thanks again.
Last edited by The Stig on Wed Oct 10, 2018 5:46 pm, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: removed advert for brew shop.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby db1979 » Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:21 pm

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.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby Magnus » Wed Oct 10, 2018 8:52 pm

$20 worth of copper pipe cut into bits woulda done the trick...
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby Arismac » Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:10 pm

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:
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby bluc » Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:18 pm

If I aint over stepping the mark what is cipm.?
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby Arismac » Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:24 pm

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". :))
Last edited by Arismac on Thu Oct 11, 2018 5:27 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby bluc » Thu Oct 11, 2018 8:27 pm

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:
Last edited by bluc on Thu Oct 11, 2018 8:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby StillBrewing » Fri Oct 12, 2018 1:50 am

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.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby wynnum1 » Fri Oct 12, 2018 7:33 am

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.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby Arismac » Tue Oct 16, 2018 4:48 pm

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.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby virge » Mon Oct 28, 2019 4:24 am

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
Last edited by virge on Mon Oct 28, 2019 4:26 am, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Copper or stainless steel sadles?

Postby Sam. » Mon Oct 28, 2019 7:24 am

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


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