Why Does Moonshine Have To Distill Through Copper?

Is a copper still necessary? A question that is often asked is whether or not it is necessary to have a copper still for producing the best quality whiskey. Purists argue that there is no other proper way to do it and they point to the fact that is has always been done that way.

Stainless steel advocates argue that it has been always done that way, because stainless steel was only ‘discovered’ about a hundred years ago, and in some industries, old habits die slowly. In defense of using stainless, they argue that stainless steel is more durable, easier to work with and less costly than copper.

There is a good reason to use copper for distilling. Copper catalyzes (allows to occur) certain reactions that remove undesirable notes/flavors in the distillate and make it ‘smoother’. Without copper, the distillate will smell and taste sharp and unpleasant. An easy and inexpensive way to include copper is by the insertion of 100% copper scrub brushes. It is important to use 100% copper scrubs and two brands that make them are Chore Boy and Libman. Of the ones we tested, Chore Boy are generally less expensive but they are also about 30% lighter than Libmans.

• For placement, several scrub brushes can be put in the (pot still in this application), and they can also be placed inside the,
• The 1.5″ to 2″ reducer makes a great place to put several as the constriction will naturally hold them.
• As the distillate passes out of the it has to go through the copper brushes, allowing for maximum interaction (and even a bit of reflux for higher proof).

For the stripping run (the first time beer is distilled) it is recommended to place the copper in the still itself, not in the, as ‘burping’ (proteins etc. foaming up into the condensor) can occur if heating is too rapid leading to fouling or plugging of the Condensing Assembly.

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: Is a copper still necessary?

Why is copper used for distilling moonshine?

Copper in Distillation Copper is a highly versatile material that can be used in a wide range of sectors, from building infrastructure and generating renewable energy, to use in medical applications, air conditioning and plumbing. Copper has multiple benefits for each of its applications, such as transferring electricity, heat and water as well as being an instrumental resource for protecting the environment, as it improves the efficiency of energy transfer and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, which makes it the perfect material for distilling alcohols including whiskey and gin. Being such a good conductor means that the whole surface of the metal can heat up evenly. Using copper for stills has a profound impact on the final product’s flavour, helping distillers control the taste of the drink and reduce bitterness Conducting heat and Improving flavour are vital characteristics when It comes to distillation, making copper an ideal solution. It is also resistant to corrosion, providing increased longevity, and with antibacterial qualities copper also doesn’t leave or pass over any harmful chemicals into the finished product.

• Unfortunately, this doesn’t exactly mean that copper distilled alcohol is healthy, but by using copper in the distilling process, those harmful chemicals certainly can be removed.
• Straight Length Copper Tube We have been working with Lawton Tubes for many years, purchasing Copper Tube for Distilling applications in varying sizes.

The service, delivery and product provided has always been of a high calibre, and has only strengthened during recent changes in political and social environment. A Major UK Still Fabricator Here at Lawton Tubes, we have had the opportunity to work with some of the country’s largest gin and whiskey distillers on the market, as well as smaller independent distillers.

We’ve provided them with the copper tubing they need to keep their day-to-day production going smoothly and our reputation within this market continues to grow. Through fantastic customer service and a superior product, we have formed long-lasting and trusted associations. Our customers always know what to expect from us.

Our copper still gives our product the unique qualities that our customers love. Lawton Tubes have been a big part of our project here, providing the materials along with their knowledge and expertise. They have also gone the extra mile to support us with shipping arrangements and excellent customer service from all those involved.

• An independent South Coast gin distillery We offer a large range of products that aid the distilling process, particularly elements within the shell and tube condensers.
• These are designed to be compact, easy to clean and maintainable.
• Our extensive capability enables us to provide bespoke sizes and varied Straight Length Tubes to our customers’ specific designs.

Our capabilities in Straight Length Tubes range from OD: 3mm-264mm with gauges ranging 0.3mm -13mm, ensuring you can get the right size to fit your current system. With a vast range of alloy grades to choose from:

CW024A (C106) – Cu-DHP, Deoxidized High Phosphorus CW004A (C101) – Cu-ETP, Electric Tough Pitch CW008A (C103) – Cu-OF, Oxygen Free CW352H (CN102) – CuNi10Mn1Fe (Copper Nickel) CW354H (CN107) – CuNi30Mn1Fe (Copper Nickel) CW702R (CZ110) – CuZn20Al12As (Aluminium Brass)

In addition to Straight Length Tubes, we are also able to supply tube in Level Wound Coils. Supplied in a range of sizes, both in plain and inner grooved to suit application. With customer service always at the forefront of our mind, we ensure our turnaround from quotation through to manufacturer and delivery is fast, remember we are locally based in the UK.

With extensive facilities in Coventry and Dorset, we offer products made to British, European and American standards with the ability to draw, cut, deburr, eddy current test, clean, inkjet, engrave tube and perform inspection processes in line with ISO 9001 and 14001 specifications.Our facilities, along with our team of 100+ employees, give us the capabilities to offer a large range of straight length copper pipes up to 8m, as well as fittings and brazing solutions to 30 metre length coiled copper tube. We are the UK’s leading copper specialist with global reach, exporting to 35 countries worldwide and continuing to explore opportunities in new markets across the globe, evolving and diversifying our product portfolio whilst always providing exceptional levels of service to our clients.

In 2019, we achieved the highest possible accolade of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise – International Trade. Our turnover also reached £150 million, solidifying our position as a major player in the UK copper market. : Copper in Distillation

Do you have to use copper for a moonshine still?

Distilled Spirits (Whiskey, Vodka, Moonshine, Etc.) – Overall, copper is better for distilling spirits because the material removes sulfides from distillate, which produces a better tasting and smelling final product. Copper is definitely the better choice for products like Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, Irish Whiskey, Scotch, and traditional Rum, because of the sulfur reduction, as mentioned above.

• These spirits are also most commonly distilled in pot stills (no reflux), which allows for lots of flavor to come through from the wash.
• Copper stills are great for high proof spirits like vodka too.
• Tito’s Vodka, for example, is distilled in a copper pot.
• However, vodka is best distilled in vessels with a reflux column, as it can be done quicker that way.

This isn’t to say that stainless stills can’t be used to distill spirits. In fact, a stainless pot with a copper column, or a 100% stainless still packed with copper mesh, are both excellent options for producing spirits. Remember, it is illegal to distill alcohol without the proper permits.

Why is the delivery tube made of copper?

Benefits of Copper – Copper has been used to deliver safe drinking water for thousands of years because of its corrosion resistance, formability, join-ability, dependability, recyclability and safety. As many of copper’s competitors are quick to point out, copper is an ancient material.

They say this like it’s a bad– like new technology always beats old technology because it’s new. They say that their products are cheaper, and that cheaper equals better, but new and cheaper do not necessarily equal better. Better equals better. When it comes to piping materials for underground water service lines better means copper – and it has 2,500 years of successful use to prove it.

Lead-free: Copper tube and fittings are the original lead-free piping materials. Solders and fluxes have been lead-free since 1978. Lead in brass components for plumbing has been steadily reduced—today’s new components mandated to contain less than 0.25 percent lead content (weighted average) of surfaces exposed to water.

All copper alloy plumbing components have had to pass the NSF 61 criteria for drinking water safety for many years. Today, with no-lead brass valves, fittings and components, lead-free solders and flameless, solderless joining systems copper piping systems represent the best option in reliable, long-lasting, lead-free service line installations.

To learn how to properly solder copper tube and fittings to the newer, no-lead, brass and bronze copper alloys, check out our Do It Proper with Copper video series,

Impermeable: Unlike other materials used for service lines, copper is completely impervious—it keeps outside chemicals from contaminating the water system. Chemicals such as petroleum products may be spilled on nearby streets and insecticides and fertilizers intentionally spread on yards—places where service lines are located—can permeate through the walls of plastic service lines, weaken them and contaminate the water within 1, In underground applications where freezing and thawing and other natural occurrences cause the ground to settle and move, copper can withstand these stresses without failure, while other materials crack, rupture and leak. When designed, installed and operated properly, copper water services keep the water in the tube, and contaminants out because it doesn’t allow chemicals to penetrate the tube wall, and doesn’t leach organics from the tube. Copper tube is made from 99.9 percent pure copper.

Long-lasting and Reliable: Copper’s extensive use has allowed researchers to study, understand and apply the material appropriately to ensure long-term system reliability and safety. The properties of copper piping, what is in it, what can leach from it, the associated potential health and safety effects, and how leaching can be controlled are quantified and well-known. Copper is safe, reliable and long-lasting—these properties added together represent the best, most cost-effective choice over the lifetime of critical underground water infrastructure.

Durable: Copper is the most dependable and most used material for plumbing tube in the developed world. Copper is beneficial in underground applications because it is highly corrosion resistant in most underground environments. Because of its superior strength it can withstand stresses without failure. Plastics on the other hand, are prone to crack, rupture and leak when freezing and thawing and other natural occurrences cause the ground to settle and move. Copper can be exposed to UV rays (sunshine) and oxidizing disinfectants (chlorine, chloramines, chlorine dioxide, etc.) without risk of cracking or failure. Meanwhile, plastic pipe has exhibited an above average risk of premature failure fue to oxidative degradation 2 in underground potable water systems treated with an oxidizing disinfectant like chlorine.

Sustainable: Aproperly designed and installed copper system is built to last, but when it’s time to replace the line copper can be recycled into another pipe or product without any loss to its beneficial properties. Its long life cycle, combined with its ease of recyclability back to the same metal purity (not downcycled to a lower purity or lesser use, like many plastics) makes copper a truly sustainable piping material. In addition, no matter how long it has been buried or in service, copper maintains its value—returning 80 – 90 percent or more of its original cost when it is reclaimed and sold for recycling.

No piping material is perfect. All can, and have encountered water chemistry conditions, installation issues and other means that can cause leaching of the piping material, or premature failure. This too is true for copper. In certain rare water chemical conditions, not common in most North American systems, copper can leach from the tube wall.

A copper system that isn’t properly designed, installed and operated may also run the risk of developing pinhole leaks—but due to copper’s history, the situations that can cause these issues are well known and can be easily avoided. While there is no perfect piping material, there is only one material that has withstood the test of time, copper.

Since 2000, when plastics captured approximately 50 percent of the water service line market, water utilities and municipalities have moved back to copper due to its reliability in protecting the water and the long life of our critical water infrastructure.

In 2009, copper once again represented 79 percent of the water service line market. In the end, “old”, “new” and “less expensive” are just words. “Better” equals better. No other material has the long-term, proven experience of reliable, leak-free installation in the widest variety of systems and settings, protects the water system from outside contamination in the underground environment, and does so with proven life-cycle value.100 years from now when it’s time to replace copper service lines, the material can be recycled straight back into another copper pipe or product without any loss of its beneficial properties.

The choice is obvious.

What is the purpose of copper in still?

2. Copper – Copper Copper is frequently added to steel in small amounts. Copper can enhance the chemical properties of steel by increasing its corrosion resistance. A large amount of copper can help prevent the formation of rust, Many of the different types of weathering steel have relatively high amounts of copper when compared to standard carbon steel, as they are typically used in applications that expose them to corrosive environments.

Copper can also be used to increase the mechanical properties of steel by allowing it to be precipitation hardened. Precipitation hardening is a process that is used to block dislocations in the crystal structure of a metal, thus increasing its strength. Copper is found in trace amounts in many different steels.

In low carbon steel, it is usually found in amounts under 0.40% by weight. ASTM A36, for instance, has a maximum allowable copper content of 0.20%. Higher amounts of copper can be found in weathering steels and other types of high strength low alloy (HSLA) steels.

Why is copper better for distilling?

– Copper is the preferred material in the construction of a still to impart flavor into the distilled spirits. According to Broadslab Distillery, both stainless steel and copper are excellent conductors of heat: dispersing the heat evenly across the entire surface of the metal and creating a more even distillation.

1. But where both stainless steel and copper will not put harmful chemicals into your final product, copper has the advantage over stainless in that whisky out of a copper still simply tastes better.
2. When distilling in copper, the copper reacts on a molecular level with the sulfurs put out by the fermenting yeast.

It “cancels-out” the sulfur taste which would otherwise be bitter and not as smooth. In the process of distilling, the sulfur coming from the yeast binds itself to the copper, making hydrogen-sulfide which in turn, forms copper sulfate. The copper sulfate sticks to the inside of the still after distillation is completed.

What is the purpose of copper in fractional distillation?

What is the purpose of copper mesh in fractional distillation? – In reflux distilling, copper mesh reacts with sulfur compounds formed during the fermentation process, The copper eliminates sulfur compounds in your distillate which is important if you want to create a great tasting moonshine. It is important to note that copper mesh doesn’t have a shelf life,

1. You have to use what you buy continuously.
2. It is also important to take note that copper mesh needs to be properly cleaned after every run.
3. Failing to clean your copper mesh could result in a foul-tasting moonshine still.
4. The goal of putting any packing in your column is to increase surface area for vapor/liquid contact so that chemical separation is more efficient.

The purpose of copper mesh is to allow vapor to pass through to clean the distillate and to eliminate sulfur in your still. The copper mesh shouldn’t be packaged too tightly because vapors will still need ample voids to rise into. The entire column needs to be filled with the copper mesh.

Can you use regular steel for a moonshine still?

Honor Distilling Tradition! Copper is the traditional choice for distilling alcohol. Although it is an expensive metal, it simply provides superior results. This is why modern professional distilleries continue to use copper stills to this day. What Other Materials Can Used To Make A Still? It is possible to make a still of almost any metal, such as stainless steel, iron or aluminum. They can even be made of glass, porcelain or molded clay. It’s important to note that of these, only stainless steel and copper are safe to use. Copper is most commonly used to build stills, but some distillers do use stainless steel.

• Both of these metals conduct heat well and do not leech any negative chemicals into the final product.
• Although stainless steel is an acceptable choice, copper is the preferred choice because it has a molecular reaction with alcohol that produces better tasting spirits.
• Additionally, even though stainless steel is a fairly good heat conductor, copper is superior.

How Does Copper Make Your Final Product Taste Better? When yeast ferments, sulfur results. Sulfur has a very unpleasant taste and smell, but when it comes in contact with copper, it binds with the copper. This results in isobutyl mercaptans and hydrogen sulfide which subsequently become copper sulfate. The copper sulfate sticks to the copper interior of the still. Although stills can be made of all kinds of materials, the only safe materials are copper and stainless steel. Copper produces a better tasting product, but stainless steel is stronger, cheaper and easier to clean. Although stainless steel does not conduct heat as well as copper, this isn’t a problem in terms of the boiler.

1. It can cause problems in columns where you want steam vapors to rise and create a natural reflux.
2. There are some still designs that combine stainless steel and copper components in an attempt to rectify this problem.
3. There are also some 100% stainless steel stills that use a forced reflux method.
4. This produces very strong spirits that don’t have much (if any) taste.

This design allows the distiller to produce strong alcohol without a sulfur taste, but it is certainly not something you’d want to savor. A Copper Still Is Worth The Investment With a copper still, you’ll spend more on your initial purchase, and you’ll put more work into creating your product.

Can you use steel for a moonshine still?

What do I want to distill? – As I mentioned above, copper is a vital component when you’re distilling spirits. However, your entire still doesn’t have to be made out of copper in order to get the sulfur-eliminating benefits. You can go with a stainless steel still and also use copper in your column packing.

• If you want to distill water or essential oils, you actually don’t want the chemical reaction that occurs with copper.
• Therefore, a stainless steel still can be used for distilling a variety of substances because you can use the copper column packing to distill your alcohol and then remove the column packing (or use ceramic raschig rings) to distill your water and essential oils.

The copper still is more limited in this sense because it can only be usedas an alcohol distiller.

What are 2 disadvantages to using copper pipe?

Copper piping is expensive. It can cost 10 to 15 times more when compared to other types of pipes. Copper may also freeze easily. If your home runs on well water, copper pipes could have problems if the water is acidic.

Is copper tubing 100% copper?

What are Copper Pipes Specifications – ​ 1. What are copper pipes?

Some of the most common ways to use a copper pipe nowadays is for construction industry for water supply lines and refrigerant line in heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning (HVAC) systems. ​Whilst this can mean AC, many don’t realize that this copper tube system is what keeps our refrigerators and our freezers alive. ​While the majority of the copper tube applications lie in the residential sector, where they are used to convey potable water in homes and offices, refrigerator industries, firefighting systems, and medical and residential gas suppliers are also catching up.

Copper pipes

​2. What percentage of copper is in copper pipe? Copper pipes contain more than 99.9% of pure Copper, The process of extracting pure copper is considered to be more critical in its production chain compared to fabrication and installation. The copper pipes are made in order to fulfil JIS standards, which stands for the Japanese Industrial Standard as well as the ASTM standard.

• These two types of pipes are created to fulfil different roles, and hence need to follow different standards in order to meet the required specification that is necessary for its purpose.
• The JIS H3300 C1220T copper pipe is more suitable for water works,
• This ranges from showering systems to overall water systems in a building or in a home.

At the other end, the ASTM B88 copper tube is more suitable for heat sensitive purposes, such as air conditioning and refrigeration, ​ 3. How do you measure copper pipe size?

Stamping on Copper Pipe

The copper pipes outer diameter (OD) can be measured in inches (“), nominal Bore (NB), and metric size. Nominal bore and outer diameter size is corresponded to each other’s. The outer diameter is always 1/8 inch bigger than the nominal size, For example, a 2″ nominal bore copper pipe is equal to 2 1/8″ outer diameter. It is applicable to all three common types of pipe. The size of diameter that is available ranges from 6 mm to 54 mm, while nominal bore size available size from 1/8″ to 4”.

table>

Nominal Bore (NB) ​ Outer Diameter (Inch OD) 1/8″ 1/4″ 1/4″ 3/8″ 3/8″ 1/2″ 1/2″ 5/8″ 5/8″ 3/4″ 3/4″ 7/8″ 7/8″ 1″ 1″ 1 1/8″ 1 1/4″ ​1 3/8″ 1 1/2″ ​1 5/8″ 2″ ​2 1/8″ 2 1/2″ 2 5/8″ 3″ 3 1/8″ 3 1/2″ ​3 5/8″ 4″ 4 1/8″

4. What is the wall thickness of Type K, L, M copper pipe?

​ ​Three different types of ASTM B88 copper pipes used in system installation are type L, M and K. They are considered some of the most common types of pipes, with its actual purpose being similar, but their specifications a tiny bit different. The key difference between these three types of copper pipes is that Type K pipes have thicker walls compared to Type L, and Type L walls thickness is thicker than Type M. Therefore, the copper pipe wall thickness determines different working pressure and application for each type of pipe.

Addison Fluids Copper Tubes

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​ Nominal Bore (NB) ​ ​ Outer Diameter (Inch OD) ​ ​ Outer Diameter (mm OD) Wall Thickness Type K ​ Wall Thickness Type L ​ Wall Thickness Type M 1/8″ 1/4″ 6.35 0.035″ 0.030″ – 1/4″ 3/8″ 9.53 ​0.035″ 0.030″ – 3/8″ 1/2″ 12.70 0.049″ 0.035″ 0.025″ 1/2″ 5/8″ 15.88 ​0.049″ 0.040″ ​0.028″ 5/8″ 3/4″ 19.05 ​0.049″ 0.042″ ​​0.028″ 3/4″ 7/8″ 22.23 0.065″ 0.045″ 0.032″ 7/8″ 1″ 25.40 ​0.065″ 0.050″ 0.035″ 1″ 1 1/8″ 28.58 ​0.065″ 0.050″ 0.035″ 1 1/4″ 1 3/8″ 34.93 ​0.065″ 0.055″ 0.042″ 1 1/2″ 1 5/8″ 41.28 0.072″ 0.060″ 0.049″ 2″ 2 1/8″ 53.98 0.083″ 0.070″ 0.058″ 2 1/2″ 2 5/8″ 66.68 ​0.095″ 0.080″ 0.065″ 3″ 3 1/8″ 79.38 0.109″ 0.090″ 0.072″ 3 1/2″ 3 5/8″ 92.08 0.120″ 0.100″ 0.083″ 4″ 4 1/8″ 104.78 0.134″ 0.110″ 0.095″ 5″ 5 1/8″ 130.18 0.160″ 0.125″ 0.109″ 6″ 6 1/8″ 155.58 0.192″ 0.140″ 0.122″

5. What is the difference between copper pipe type K, L and M?

Copper Pipe	System Application
Type K Copper Pipe	Water Distribution Fire Protection Oil & LPG GasHVAC Compression and flare fittings ​
​Type L Copper Pipe	Interior Plumbing Fire Protection Some HVAC applications Waterline repairing Compression and flare fittings ​
Type M Copper Pipe	Flexible Form Domestic Water ServiceVacuum systems Compression and flare fittings Low Pressure steam

6. How do you install copper pipes? Copper pipes are very flexible during installation due to its formability, A quick change of bends as well as length can be easily done on site, given the right tools and methods. The tube itself will not grow weaker, or even break even because of bending,

Why are copper pipes better than lead?

It’s Nontoxic – Copper is nontoxic, meaning it won’t leach harmful substances into potable water. During the early 1900s, water pipes in the United States were often made of lead. Unfortunately, this led to thousands of lead poisoning cases, with many U.S.

Why is gin distilled in copper?

Why Copper Pot Distilling is the Best Way to Make Gin Anyone who’s visited Sipsmith’s HQ will be greeted by the sight of our gleaming, beautiful copper stills. Without them, we simply couldn’t make our award-winning gin. But some might ask: why copper pot distilling? Apart from the undeniable aesthetic appeal, copper plays an important, even essential, role in the gin-making process.

• While stills can equally be made from stainless steel, aluminium, and a range of other materials, we find that copper is the very best option.
• It helps, firstly, that copper is exceptionally good at conducting heat (which is the same reason that chefs lust after copper saucepans).
• When heat is dispersed evenly over the surface of the still, the result is a more efficient distilling processand better gin.

Then there’s the way that copper reacts on a molecular level to produce a naturally clean and smooth spirit. Without getting too technical about it, know that copper helps strip out volatile sulphuric compounds as the gin distils, a process which removes any unwanted flavours and aromas from the final product. Given that Sipsmith was the first copper-pot distillery to open in London in almost 200 years, copper is at the very heart of our ethos. Given that Sipsmith was the first copper-pot distillery to open in London in almost 200 years, copper is at the very heart of our ethos—and, we like to think, is a big reason why our gin tastes as good as it does.

When we opened our doors in 2009, we did so in the company of Prudence. Our very first still, Prudence was designed with the help of Christian Carl—a family-run business based in Germany that has crafted top-of-the-line distilling equipment since its founding in 1869. Prudence is a one-of-a-kind work of art: her bespoke design combines a pot with a carter head and a column still.

In other words, she’s beautifully versatile, and can equally distil our London Dry Gin, our Sipping Vodka, and our V.J.O.P. with aplomb. It was when we relocated to our current headquarters in Chiswick in 2014 that our second copper still joined the Sipsmith family. Our little Cygnet is perfect for pilot distillations and small-batch experiments. Recently, we were thrilled to add two more stills to our sisterhood. Meet Constance, who, as our largest still, produces the lion’s share of our London Dry Gin. Her lovely appearance is only part of her charm: in a role where consistency is of the essence, she’s never let us down.

• Then there’s little Cygnet, who has a 50-litre capacity and is ideal for trialling pilot distillations and other small-batch experiments.
• In short, we wouldn’t be where we are without our beautiful copper stills.
• Cheers to Prudence, Patience, Constance, and Cygnet, then, for making our spirits as pure and delicious as can be.

: Why Copper Pot Distilling is the Best Way to Make Gin

Does copper react to whiskey?

Copper Isn’t Just a Pretty Face There are a few reasons why copper is considered the preferred metal for stills. It’s malleable, so it’s a good metal to work with to achieve the distinctive and functionally important curves in the pot still. Copper is also an excellent conductor of heat, so it makes an efficient vessel for boiling liquids.

But the main advantage of copper over other materials is that copper reacts with alcohol on a molecular level, making the final spirit taste better. A natural by-product of yeast during fermentation is sulfur, so the wash that goes into the still contains sulfur. When the sulfur comes in contact with the copper, it binds at a molecular level and becomes copper sulfate stuck to the side of the still – removing the undesirable sulfur taste and smell from the distilled liquid.

We scrub the copper sulfate out of the stills between each distillation, so over time, the interior copper will wear down and have to be replaced or repaired. But our copper stills will give us many years of production before the walls are too thin for distilling.

Why don’t we use copper everywhere?

Why don’t we use it everywhere? A copper wire most commonly used in homes, but we don’t use it everywhere because it loses signal easily. Where is fiber-optic cable most commonly used?

Is whiskey distilled in copper?

To many, the sight of a burnished, shiny set of copper pot stills is one that sums up Scotch whisky. But why copper? It may appeal aesthetically, but what are the practical reasons for its continued use in distilleries old and new? Let’s hear what the Whisky Professor has to say on the subject.

Still in use: Copper has long been a familiar sight at whisky distilleries such as Glenmorangie Dear Whisky Professor, On a recent visit to Scotland for a concert tour with my stepchildren (a group of seven singers – a bit like The Osmonds, but Austrian), I took the opportunity to visit a local whisky distillery.

While there, I was very much struck by the imposing size and shape of the stills, and their lustrous copper sheen. They really were very beautiful, but nonetheless something about them struck me as rather odd. Now, I have a bright copper kettle in my kitchen; along with raindrops on roses and warm woollen mittens, it is among my favourite things, and a particular joy when recovering from mishaps such as bee stings and dog bites. Precious metal: Copper is more than just a pretty face, says the Whisky Professor Dear Mrs von Trapp How, indeed, do you solve a problem like Maria’s? First of all, stills weren’t always made from copper. The earliest examples would have used whatever durable and malleable material came to hand, such as ceramics or glass. But copper was soon fixed upon as the ideal material with which to manufacture pot stills.

It is relatively easy to mould and shape into whatever form you wish; it conducts heat easily and efficiently; and it is resistant to corrosion. Nonetheless, it does wear out and it is expensive, prompting distillers to experiment – as you suggest – with newer, cheaper and more durable materials, such as stainless steel.

This happened particularly, but by no means exclusively, in the United States. However, early adopters of stainless steel quickly noticed a dramatic change in spirit quality – an unwelcome, sulphurous odour that had nothing to do with cut points or the speed at which the stills were run.

Distillers had arrived at copper as the ideal still material by a process of trial and error; now they uncovered a hidden benefit of the metal by the same method, a benefit confirmed by further investigation and experimentation. Think of copper as a ‘silent contributor’ to spirit quality; the availability of clean copper inside the still is vital to allow complex chemical reactions to take place, removing highly volatile sulphur compounds – chief among them dimethyl trisulphide or DMTS – and helping in the formation of esters, which tend to give the spirit a fruity character.

This process is also absolutely vital when making grain whiskies in column or continuous stills, where copper may be used in the manufacture of the sides of the stills or the plates themselves. Here, copper does its best work in the rectification system, where the unwanted compounds are mainly concentrated. Available copper: Shell-and-tube condensers tend to produce lighter spirit Worm tubs consist of copper coils submerged in tubs of cooling water, but the shell-and-tube construction has much more ‘available’ copper, meaning more copper contact with the condensing spirit and producing typically lighter, fruitier and grassier flavours in the mature whisky.

By contrast, worm tubs tend to yield more sulphury, meaty or vegetal notes, simply because the copper has had less opportunity to react and remove those flavours. Deposits will also gradually build up on the inside of the ‘worm’, reducing the copper’s reactivity further. Although the removal of these volatile sulphur compounds is generally desirable during the distillation process, the extent to which it happens – governed by a variety of factors from still shape and size through to method of condensation – is also a stylistic decision.

You want a funky, meaty, slightly sulphury new make? Then you need a distillation process that involves less copper contact (and worm tubs). Looking for fruity, grassy spirit? Make the most of every inch of copper in your stills and fit shell-and-tube condensers.

Taking this stylistic choice a stage further, some distilleries are now fitting stainless steel condensers – Ailsa Bay, for example – to give them an option that has less copper contact and a different style of whisky as a result. There are two further consequences of the complex reactions that occur when spirit and copper interact.

The first is that, as the reactions take place, the spirit ‘picks up’ copper in a soluble form. Only very small amounts of this will be present in the final product (you’ll be relieved to hear); most of it is discharged long beforehand, incidentally posing an environmental challenge to distilleries. Blue stuff: Copper carbonate deposits in Lagavulin’s spirit safe The other effect is that, in certain parts of the still where more of the beneficial catalytic reactions occur – above the boiling line, in the shoulder, swan neck, lyne arm, condenser and at the start of the worm – the copper will gradually erode. As the copper thins, it is not unknown for a still to ‘pant’ like an over-exerted dog, its shoulders rising and falling under the strain.

Repair or replacement needs to take place swiftly to avoid a collapse. To sum up, although expensive, copper has great properties of malleability, thermal conductivity and resistance to corrosion. Its ultimate weakness – that, especially in certain places, it wears out – is also one of its greatest strengths, since it is by this copper ‘sacrifice’ that the spirit that will become whisky is refined and stripped of unwanted odours and flavours.

No wonder, then, that distillers will sometimes refer to the presence of what they call ‘sacrificial’ copper in continuous or stainless steel stills: copper installed not because of aesthetics or distillation efficiency, but for reasons of spirit quality.

What does ethanol do to copper?

Accelerated Corrosion and Conductivity As mentioned Page 2 Recycled Paper 2 Please Recycle above, ethanol is not compatible with soft metals such as zinc, brass, copper, lead, and aluminum. These metals will degrade or corrode in contact with ethanol and possibly contaminate a vehicle’s fuel system.

Can you make a moonshine still out of aluminum?

Aluminum does not distill, so none of it will end up in your distillate. Its not an ideal material, you can’t solder to it well, etc.

What is the purpose of distillation process?

distillation, process involving the conversion of a liquid into vapour that is subsequently condensed back to liquid form. It is exemplified at its simplest when steam from a kettle becomes deposited as drops of distilled water on a cold surface, Distillation is used to separate liquids from nonvolatile solids, as in the separation of alcoholic liquors from fermented materials, or in the separation of two or more liquids having different boiling points, as in the separation of gasoline, kerosene, and lubricating oil from crude oil,

1. Other industrial applications include the processing of such chemical products as formaldehyde and phenol and the desalination of seawater.
2. The distillation process appears to have been utilized by the earliest experimentalists.
3. Aristotle (384–322 bce ) mentioned that pure water is made by the evaporation of seawater.

Pliny the Elder (23–79 ce ) described a primitive method of condensation in which the oil obtained by heating rosin is collected on wool placed in the upper part of an apparatus known as a still. Most methods of distillation used by industry and in laboratory research are variations of simple distillation.

• This basic operation requires the use of a still or retort in which a liquid is heated, a condenser to cool the vapour, and a receiver to collect the distillate.
• In heating a mixture of substances, the most volatile or the lowest boiling distills first, and the others subsequently or not at all.
• This simple apparatus is entirely satisfactory for the purification of a liquid containing nonvolatile material and is reasonably adequate for separating liquids of widely divergent boiling points.

For laboratory use, the apparatus is commonly made of glass and connected with corks, rubber bungs, or ground-glass joints. For industrial applications, larger equipment of metal or ceramic is employed. More From Britannica chemical analysis: Distillation A method called fractional distillation, or differential distillation, has been developed for certain applications, such as petroleum refining, because simple distillation is not efficient for separating liquids whose boiling points lie close to one another.

1. In this operation the vapours from a distillation are repeatedly condensed and revaporized in an insulated vertical column.
2. Especially important in this connection are the still heads, fractionating columns, and condensers that permit the return of some of the condensed vapour toward the still.
3. The objective is to achieve the closest possible contact between rising vapour and descending liquid so as to allow only the most volatile material to proceed in the form of vapour to the receiver while returning the less volatile material as liquid toward the still.

The purification of the more volatile component by contact between such countercurrent streams of vapour and liquid is referred to as rectification, or enrichment. Multiple-effect distillation, often called multistage-flash evaporation, is another elaboration of simple distillation.

• This operation, used primarily by large commercial desalting plants, does not require heating to convert a liquid into vapour.
• The liquid is simply passed from a container under high atmospheric pressure to one under lower pressure.
• The reduced pressure causes the liquid to vaporize rapidly; the resulting vapour is then condensed into distillate.

A variation of the reduced-pressure process uses a vacuum pump to produce a very high vacuum. This method, called vacuum distillation, is sometimes employed when dealing with substances that normally boil at inconveniently high temperatures or that decompose when boiling under atmospheric pressure.

Steam distillation is an alternative method of achieving distillation at temperatures lower than the normal boiling point, It is applicable when the material to be distilled is immiscible (incapable of mixing) and chemically nonreactive with water. Examples of such materials include fatty acids and soybean oils.

The usual procedure is to pass steam into the liquid in the still to supply heat and cause evaporation of the liquid. The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy McKenna,

Is fractional distillation important?

What is the Purpose of Fractional Distillation? – Fractional distillation is very useful when separating more than two types of liquids from a homogeneous mixture. This method is particularly useful in separating liquids that have less than 25°C difference in boiling points.

It can also be used to increase the purity of a particular distillate. During fractional distillation, fractions of the original mixture are evaporated and condensed at different levels as the temperature gradient changes. Although an ordinary distillation method can also be used to separate mixtures consisting of more than two types of liquids, it would be tedious, time consuming, and impractical to redistill the same liquid mixture repeatedly at different temperatures just to separate the different components.

The elegant solution to this problem is using temperature gradients. This can be done either by using a fractionating column or separate distillation chambers in sequence. Here’s how the sequential distillations process works: For more in-depth look at this process, check out this YouTube video! As you can see in the example, the molar purity of benzene distillate can be increased through a series of simple distillation steps. From 50% purity in the first flask, the distillate purity reached 97% in the last flask.

How does a copper distiller work?

Pot stills 101: everything you ever wanted to know While a drink is only as good as its maker, it’s not all down to a master distiller to bring a spirit to life. Consider this: if the distiller is the guitarist in the band, the Fender Stratocaster of distillation has to be the copper pot still, the classic instrument known for delivering quality, excellence and a unique personality. The shape of the pot still – like this one outside Ardbeg distillery on Islay – affects the character of the spirit The role of the still in making spirits is a simple one. It is effectively a giant copper kettle within which a low-strength alcoholic liquor – such as a beer or wine – is heated.

The alcoholic compounds evaporate at a lower temperature than water and thus turn into a gas, separating them out from the non-alcoholic compounds. Rising up through the copper stills, which become increasingly narrower and cooler, these gases are condensed back into a liquid – critically, with a greater percentage of alcohol in them than there was before.

The result: a high-strength alcoholic spirit. T here are greater nuances to the process, such as the cutting points. Not all alcoholic compounds are good – s ome taste nasty and some are downright dangerous. These are the compounds that, in drinks distillation, thankfully appear first and last in the distilling process. Coffey/patent stills can run continuously and produce a much higher quantity of spirit than pot stills, but the quality is usually not as good Pot s tills, which look like dumpy kettles or giant onions, are not the only bit of kit used in distillation.

• In the early 1800s a more industrial, efficient still was created.
• Nown as a Coffey still, p atent still or column still, this format is made up of a number of plates, each acting out a micro-distillation and used to create a vast amount of spirit in a relatively short time.
• This is partly due to the fact that they can run continuously, rather than in batches, which is how a pot still must function.

These large, industrialised continuous stills create a very high-strength spirit, but can sacrifice much of the character along the way. The result is that pot stills, running in batch processes, create a spirit that is more expensive to make, yet one that gives greater character – and part of the characteristics of these spirits comes down to the unique size and shape of each pot still.

1. For example, the small stills at are listed as one of the important six pillars that makes Macallan the unique, and highly prized spirit lauded by drinks experts around the world.
2. The small stills produce a heavy, sulphurous spirit that stands up well to long maturation in sherry casks.
3. By contrast, the stills at near neighbours are the largest in the Speyside region and are direct-fired, giving a lighter but no less flavoursome style of new-make spirit.

These beautiful sculptures are mostly sacrificial. In the production of whisky, their job is not just to separate the alcoholic and non-alcoholic compounds through evaporation, but for the copper to cleanse and clean the spirit. As a result, the still thins over time, and will eventually need to be replaced.

• Richard Forsyth is managing director at, a coppersmith specialising in distilling equipment that has been at the forefront of still-making since 1890.
• As soon as you start to vaporise the wash”, Richard notes, “it starts to eat the copper, so the head are the first part to go.” However, it’s worth noting that each distillery is reliant on the shape and size of their stills, and it is a key component in the resulting DNA of the spirit style for each producer.

It is, in effect, the distillery’s fingerprint. It’s unique to them, and replacing them requires exact replicas to be made. This is a major part of the business at Forsyths. The company has recently produced stills for expansions at both and distilleries, along with producing 36 stills for the new Macallan distillery, which opened in 2018. Left: The Macallan required 36 new copper pot stills as part of its £140 million revamp in 2018. They were all supplied by coppersmith Forsyths (above), which has been making stills since the late 19th century Copper pot stills are equally as important in the production of gin, where the spirit (often made in column stills, to reach a high ABV of 96%) is “rectified”, or flavoured, by resting with botanicals in the belly of the pot still – or hanging them in a basket in the neck of the still – before delivering the final flavour through distillation.

Gin doesn’t require copper pot stills to flavour spirit, however; it can be done simply through infusions of favour, or the addition of flavourings. But that’s not very rock and roll. For true gin, a gin that carries the name London Dry, stills must be used to add the flavour of the botanicals and so their importance is paramount.

The overall result is that copper pot stills are not just an important element in the world of distilled spirits, they are perhaps the most important element of any spirit that requires flavour and personality driven from batch production. They are the tool that takes drinks and turns them up to 11. Highland distillery Glenmorangie boasts the tallest stills in Scotland. The height helps to create a light, delicate whisky, as the heavier, oilier compounds can’t reach the top of the still

has the oldest continuously used copper pot stills in the world. The Glenlivet distillery in Speyside, Scotland has a unique replica of a tiny smugglers still, which is run on special occasion and requires a licence to operate. At the distillery, the still size and shapes are so important that in order to increase production, their small copper pot stills are simply replicated many times over – 140, to be precise. Despite being made in, award-winning single malt whisky Kavalan is produced on stills made by Forsyths in Scotland. When gin gained a licence to distil in 2009, it was the first new copper pot still in London for nearly 200 years. The single malt whisky distillery in Scotland features a unique waterfall down the stills, where the cold water helps to chill the necks of the still, creating greater reflux of the spirit inside and adding texture and flavour to the final spirit. distillery in Kennington, London, still uses a small copper pot still, called Still No.12, originally used by the distillery’s founder James Burrough, who founded the distillery originally in Chelsea in 1820. In the world of rum, many different types of stills are used, and famous at the Diamond Distillery in Guyana, there are even some stills made of wood, with copper tops. Single malt Scotch producer is famed for its very tall stills which were originally designed for gin production before being repurposed for use in whisky.

: Pot stills 101: everything you ever wanted to know

Why is gin distilled in copper?

Why Copper Pot Distilling is the Best Way to Make Gin Anyone who’s visited Sipsmith’s HQ will be greeted by the sight of our gleaming, beautiful copper stills. Without them, we simply couldn’t make our award-winning gin. But some might ask: why copper pot distilling? Apart from the undeniable aesthetic appeal, copper plays an important, even essential, role in the gin-making process.

• While stills can equally be made from stainless steel, aluminium, and a range of other materials, we find that copper is the very best option.
• It helps, firstly, that copper is exceptionally good at conducting heat (which is the same reason that chefs lust after copper saucepans).
• When heat is dispersed evenly over the surface of the still, the result is a more efficient distilling processand better gin.

Then there’s the way that copper reacts on a molecular level to produce a naturally clean and smooth spirit. Without getting too technical about it, know that copper helps strip out volatile sulphuric compounds as the gin distils, a process which removes any unwanted flavours and aromas from the final product. Given that Sipsmith was the first copper-pot distillery to open in London in almost 200 years, copper is at the very heart of our ethos. Given that Sipsmith was the first copper-pot distillery to open in London in almost 200 years, copper is at the very heart of our ethos—and, we like to think, is a big reason why our gin tastes as good as it does.

When we opened our doors in 2009, we did so in the company of Prudence. Our very first still, Prudence was designed with the help of Christian Carl—a family-run business based in Germany that has crafted top-of-the-line distilling equipment since its founding in 1869. Prudence is a one-of-a-kind work of art: her bespoke design combines a pot with a carter head and a column still.

In other words, she’s beautifully versatile, and can equally distil our London Dry Gin, our Sipping Vodka, and our V.J.O.P. with aplomb. It was when we relocated to our current headquarters in Chiswick in 2014 that our second copper still joined the Sipsmith family. Our little Cygnet is perfect for pilot distillations and small-batch experiments. Recently, we were thrilled to add two more stills to our sisterhood. Meet Constance, who, as our largest still, produces the lion’s share of our London Dry Gin. Her lovely appearance is only part of her charm: in a role where consistency is of the essence, she’s never let us down.

Then there’s little Cygnet, who has a 50-litre capacity and is ideal for trialling pilot distillations and other small-batch experiments. In short, we wouldn’t be where we are without our beautiful copper stills. Cheers to Prudence, Patience, Constance, and Cygnet, then, for making our spirits as pure and delicious as can be.

: Why Copper Pot Distilling is the Best Way to Make Gin

What happens when you put alcohol on copper?

Is isopropyl alcohol 90+% safe for cleaning copper heatsinks and processors? There is no problem with using isopropyl alcohol to clean off copper or aluminum. I have done it for years, the worst that could happen is a very thin oxidation layer could form, which will form anyway on any totally raw surface.

1. Application of oiley or greacy thermal compounds keeps the oxygen from hitting them after cleaning, and everything is good to go.
2. Speaking of raw, many of the surfaces are not raw.
3. Aluminum or copper heatsinks are sometimes coated with a clear coat, like the fins often are.
4. Aluminum could have a purposfull oxidation layer on it.

Copper turns green when it has no oxygen blocking substances on it. There can be machine oils from the machining, or to keep oxidation down to retain the pristine condition. Ammonia (not alcohol) in consumer concentrations given enough time will soften up even plasticy clear coats, and make a mess or can be used like a paint stripper for them.

Even with long term soaking with alcohol it does not destroy the plastic type coatings, although it can strip oils just fine. Alcohol can also strip the oils out of plastics, like the cases for things, or fan plastics or other plastics used. (which are made from? crude byproducts) So exposure to plastic surfaces may result in slight discoloration, the longer it can solvent out those oils.

Even then it can usually easily be corrected by putting some oils back in 🙂 Is a special substance required to clean any of this stuff? If it is I have been doing it wrong over and over again for years, and it has not made any detrimental difference.

• Other conciderations, the cooling effect of tech sprays, even alcohol as a solvent, and the percentage of 90% alcohol means there can be residual, and possibly moisture from the air (condensation) and all.
• If we wanted to make up scenarios were this doesn’t work, it would be because the surface was not dry completly, stick it all together and heat it and any substances that would then vaporise or steam, pushing the thermal compounds around.

So make sure things are dry. : Is isopropyl alcohol 90+% safe for cleaning copper heatsinks and processors?

How thick is the copper in a moonshine still?

3. What gauge copper do we use? – We use 20 oz./22-gauge, 32 oz./18-gauge and 48 oz./16-gauge. All of our stills come standard with 20 oz./22-gauge.20 oz./22-gauge is perfect for hobby stills when paired with our reinforced design, and meticulously built by our experienced craftsmen.

In turn, our products are more affordable for you, while maintaining a strength punching above its weight class. We do offer 32 oz./18-gauge for those folks who want to make sure that they can drop their still out of an airplane, and still use it later. Those with such a need should use our “Customize Your Own Still” section or the drop downs for any of our distillers kits.

At the end of the day, the thickness of material used to make your still is a balancing act between durability and expense. No matter your choice, you can rest assured the quality will be the same that is expected of us here at North Georgia Still Company.

Does copper react to whiskey?

Copper Isn’t Just a Pretty Face There are a few reasons why copper is considered the preferred metal for stills. It’s malleable, so it’s a good metal to work with to achieve the distinctive and functionally important curves in the pot still. Copper is also an excellent conductor of heat, so it makes an efficient vessel for boiling liquids.

1. But the main advantage of copper over other materials is that copper reacts with alcohol on a molecular level, making the final spirit taste better.
2. A natural by-product of yeast during fermentation is sulfur, so the wash that goes into the still contains sulfur.
3. When the sulfur comes in contact with the copper, it binds at a molecular level and becomes copper sulfate stuck to the side of the still – removing the undesirable sulfur taste and smell from the distilled liquid.

We scrub the copper sulfate out of the stills between each distillation, so over time, the interior copper will wear down and have to be replaced or repaired. But our copper stills will give us many years of production before the walls are too thin for distilling.