The quality of distillates produced, whether they be water, essential oils, spirits, or fuel alcohol, is determined by how well distillation equipment is cleaned and maintained. Before utilizing your still for the first time, clean it well to remove any pollutants that may have remained on its surface during construction. Regularly clean after each use, between batches, or when transitioning spirits, especially for commercial distillers. This removes contaminants like sulfuric acid from fermented mash that gather on the surface during distillation.
What are the benefits of cleaning your stills on a regular basis?
Copper oxidizes when exposed to the environment, changing its color to a bluish-green hue and eventually turning virtually black. Patina naturally develops over time in used copper metal. Some individuals maintain copper’s natural color by regular washing, polishing, or covering it with benzotriazole. Others are unconcerned with the dulling, although this is just true on the exterior.
Stainless steel stills, on the other hand, will immediately display dirt and smudges on their surface. Stainless steel is easy to clean, but it does require periodic washing to maintain it immaculate.
To ensure safety and purity, regularly clean the inside of a still, whether copper or stainless steel, for distillate generation. Additionally, when copper stills are clean, they are more successful in removing sulphides.
Latest Blog: Application of Falling Film Evaporator in Sugar Industry
Cleaning Fermentation Equipment-
Clean and sanitize separate fermentation equipment in the distillation setup due to higher dirt and microbe content from handling harvested grain. Cleaning removes grime and other bigger particles, whereas sanitising kills bacteria that aren’t visible.
Cleaning copper stills is necessary.
Clean copper stills before initial use and regularly thereafter. Use vinegar, rye flour, and water or a salt solution. Alternatively, commercial copper cleaners are available.
Keeping your copper mesh clean-
Maintain a regular after-use cleaning routine for the copper mesh, just as you would for the still. Copper mesh cleanliness directly affects its ability to remove sulfur compounds from liquor, impacting overall quality.
Still polishing your copper-
Polishing your copper while it’s still on the exterior gives it a brilliant, gleaming finish. Opt for a non-toxic polish, avoid abrasive cleaners, and rinse your still carefully to prevent tarnish and maintain shine.
Stills made of stainless steel that has been cleaned-
Stainless steel stills are much simpler to clean, and unlike copper equipment, they do not tarnish with proper maintenance. They will, however, show up even the tiniest smudge or dirt, which may be removed with a simple wipe.
High-quality goods and great-tasting spirits come from well-maintained stills. Copper stills, in particular, are more successful at removing sulphur compounds from your moonshine, resulting in a great-tasting product. Clean your still carefully based on its type and purpose. Use warm or hot water to remove dirt, oil, and bacteria. In the end, frequent cleaning and maintenance will keep your distillery in peak operating order for longer.
Alaqua is a distillation equipment supplier along with other processing equipment such as the evaporator, crystallizer, solvent recovery system, spray dryers and heat exchangers. Contact us today to overcome all your industrial processing equipment requirements.
