Cleaning & Assembly
KL04633 AlcoEngine Pot Still | Cleaning & Assembly
Cleaning
It is VERY IMPORTANT to rinse the boiler and inside of the column with hot tap water as soon as possible after you have finished using the still, as spent mash can become corrosive.
You can easily clean the inside of the column by just running hot tap water through it.
Turn it upside down under a tap and let water run into the column and out the top of the still.
If you do not clean it properly, then you may get blue liquid or crystals coming out the next time you use it. If this happens, perform a full Citric Acid Bath
You can clean the outside with any type of copper polish, vinegar or even steel wool. If looks don’t matter to you, then it is perfectly OK to let it stay the way it is. Copper naturally turns brown over time.
Acid/Vinegar Cleaning
The best way to clean a still after use is with a vinegar or acid wash. This is also recommended before first use.
Vinegar or Acid Run
After flushing, complete assembly of the still. Fill the boiler to around 20% full (the exact amount is not important as long as it is sufficient to ensure the elements do not boil dry). Us e a 50/50 mixture of plain vinegar (acetic acid) and water. Other acids can be used, although the dilution rates will be different. For example, 1 Tbp Citric acid to 1L water.
Connect the coolant lines but do not run any water yet.
Bring the acid wash up to a boil and maintain a boil with the minimum power required for at least 10-15 minutes. After this time turn on the coolant and run the still for a further 10 minutes. This will condense the vapour and help flush out the still
Turn off the water and the boiler and allow the still to cool completely. Do not attempt to handle any part of the still or boiler until at a safe temperature.
Water Run
Once the still and boiler is cool enough to handle, empty the boiler, rinse it out and fill the boiler to around 20% full (the exact amount is not important as long as it is sufficient to ensure the elements do not boil dry) with clean water. Bring this up to a boil and maintain a boil with the minimum power required for at least 10-15 minutes. After this time turn on the coolant and run the still for a further 10 minutes. This will condense the vapour and help flush out the still
Turn off the water and the boiler and allow the still to cool completely. Do not attempt to handle any part of the still or boiler until at a safe temperature.
Citric Acid Bath
If the still does not clean properly after a vonegar run, or if corrosion is noticed, or If you do not clean it properly, then you may get blue liquid or crystals coming out still head during a run. If this happens, get some Citric Acid from your homebrew store.
Mix Citric Acid Bath
Mix 2 tablespoons of Citric Acid with a litre of boiling water in a plastic container. Place the still head upside down inside a bucket, and pour the hot acid into the bottom of the still. Wear protective equipment, including heat proof gloves. When it has all run through the still, collect the acid and run it through again a few times, then rinse out the still head thoroughly with hot water.
Neutralise with Bicarbonate Soda
Mix up a few teaspoons of Bicarbonate Soda (from the supermarket) in some water and pour this through the bottom of the still to neutralise any remaining acid, then rinse again with hot water. If you do not neutralise it with the Bicarbonate Soda, it will corrode again.
This process should be completed as needed to maintain your still in good order.
Included Components
Assembly Instructions
Assemble the Still carefully
The Alcoengine Still must be assembled before use. It's important that you assemble these components carefully. We recommend using Teflon tape on the threaded fittings to ensure a seal. NOTE: Both the 0.6mm and the 1mm Outlets will be attached to the Collection Tube and the Ball Valve as in this image.
Connect Reflux Still to Distillation Lid
If using a standard Distillation Lid with a 47mm hole, unscrew the brass nut on the still. Insert the threaded base of the still through the hole on the lid and use the brass nut to fasten the still head to the lid. The seal should be positioned outside the lid
If using a Distillation Lid with a 2" TC flange, you will also need a 2" TC Clamp. Remove the brass nut completely - it will not be used. Use the 2" TC Clamp to secure the Reflux Still to the lid. Use the flat seal that is included with the Reflux Still.
Choose the Flow Control Outlet
As shown below, there are two Outlets included with the AlcoEngine Reflux Still. These operate as Flow Control devices for the still.
There is a 1mm Outlet and a 0.6mm Outlet
The hole size dictates the speed at which the spirit flows out of the still. The faster the flow, the quicker the run but the lower the purity. The 0.6mm Outlet is recommended for highest purity, but the run will take longer. The 1mm Outlet will give lower purity but will be faster. The 1mm Outlet is also commonly used for stripping runs
The different flow control outlets are marked discretely with a small punch on the side of the device but if you have good eyesight you can probably see the difference in hole size with your naked eyes.
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