 Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/1/2012(UTC)
Posts: 162
|
Being the cheapskate that I am, I was wondering if something besides copper could be used for the condenser line. Copper is damn near $3 a foot here, and like I said, I'm cheap. Was also wondering if copper line from an old fridge condenser line was safe to use. I guess that would depend on if and what type of solder was used on it? Thanks for now.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Guest
Groups: Guests
Joined: 2/10/2002(UTC)
Posts: 5,254
|
Well I feels your pain on the thrifty Scotsman angle..I use that a lot too. Until a smart person shows up to sort through all this stuff..I vote the copper in question be just fine. Think my storebought BH grand prize winning condenser is all SS. Now I aint never bothered to gut it to make sure. Will say its about the most efficient contraption I ever met. I think it could do all right without any water to it at all. Lack o water dont seem to slow it down much anyway. Course..going that root might prob run up a little laundry bill with the drunk welder...lol. Keeps us posted. Enquiring minds need to know this kinda stuff. Thanks. Dont be a stranger.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/1/2012(UTC)
Posts: 162
|
Turns out that old fridge has steel line, not copper. Guess I'll shell out and go buy the copper line. Thinking 3/8" and about 12 feet with condenser (not jacketed, ice bucket), 12" rise on the column and about 18 degree decline to condenser.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
|
"1/2"" would be better.
If you think your gonna like this hobby,,,then I would recommend not spending money on equipment that will soon be exposed as far too small...
If you drink and have friends and family that drink,,,yer gonna have a tough time keeping up with the demand. You'll be married to that rig 2-3 days at a time trying to keep up....
Better to set up with a boiler that can handle a full 5 gallon charge and a 2"" riser to your 3/4 or 1/2"" worm....that with 2-3 fermenting buckets,a good assortment of glassware and you'll be able to participate at a leisurely pace....If your equipment is too small you will be busy with this all the time. In the beginning its fun..as you'll be learning....But as time passes you'll grow weary of all the futzing needed to acquire just a little product per run.
Good luck no matter"
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/1/2012(UTC)
Posts: 162
|
Thanks LWTCS, I still wanna start small, and see how it goes. I think I will be going bigger if all goes well.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
|
"I understand...I did the same thing..
FYI however,,,it is easier to run a keg sized boiler charge to get good likker than a stove top and get good likker......
Maybe you can re purpose your stove top into a thumper when it becomes too small?
Cheers and good luck again......."
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/1/2012(UTC)
Posts: 162
|
Definitely worth considering. But I'll be running the burner in the garage, as the boss doesn't want "that stuff" in the house. That being the case, I can build bigger in the garage when I need to.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/1/2012(UTC)
Posts: 162
|
Ok so I got 18 feet of copper line out of my old fridge. What do I need to do t clean this out to be safe for cooking? I know I'll need to do a cleaning run after I get everything assembled, but what about prior to assembly?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/1/2012(UTC)
Posts: 162
|
Got my copper line out of the old fridge, about 18'. What do I need to clean this out prior to assembly? I know a cleaning run after assembly is required.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Senior Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 12/10/2009(UTC)
Posts: 519
|
Little pool (muriatic) acid and water (50/50) wear gloves and safety glasses.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rank: Advanced Member Groups: Registered
Joined: 7/1/2012(UTC)
Posts: 162
|
Thanks LW! Would cooking it in vinegar work?
|
|
|
|
|
|
Forum Jump
You cannot post new topics in this forum.
You cannot reply to topics in this forum.
You cannot delete your posts in this forum.
You cannot edit your posts in this forum.
You cannot create polls in this forum.
You cannot vote in polls in this forum.
