rickthenewb Posted February 8, 2020 Share Posted February 8, 2020 Hi all, I am running a 100 percent corn in an electric bain marie. I have noticed a black oily residue after a stripping run. I keep finding in different places. I use PBW and Citric and I still seem to be getting spots of it especially in the parrot. Any idea what it is and if its normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bluestar Posted February 8, 2020 Share Posted February 8, 2020 15 hours ago, rickthenewb said: Hi all, I am running a 100 percent corn in an electric bain marie. I have noticed a black oily residue after a stripping run. I keep finding in different places. I use PBW and Citric and I still seem to be getting spots of it especially in the parrot. Any idea what it is and if its normal? It is not normal. You should check to be sure there are no inappropriate gaskets in the high proof steam path from the still. For example, black EPDM will sometimes leach out at high proof, high temperature. We had to replace all of the black EPDM in our still in that path for that reason. Typically, don't see this on the strips, more likely on a spirit run. It will also impart a bitter taste to the spirit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
glisade Posted February 8, 2020 Share Posted February 8, 2020 I've seen this with a copper condenser and all corn mash on stripping runs. Do you have copper in your distillate path? Is it real thick and hard to clean off your hand? Smell real bad? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickthenewb Posted February 9, 2020 Author Share Posted February 9, 2020 I have a cooper head but other than that its all stainless. The stripping runs smell like corn and alcohol and has a slight haze that I am attributing to the heavy tails. This is going to be gns for our vodka so I hope whatever it us works it's way out, any thoughts on it? Yes, it comes off black and smells bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard1 Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 Sorry @bluestar . EPDM is the solution and is the best to use. Ensure that you have food-grade EPDM. I suspect that Nitryle / NBR has been used coupled with a possible Chinese supply which at best is dubious. Try select reputable supplier options e.g. Kieselmann etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickthenewb Posted February 9, 2020 Author Share Posted February 9, 2020 At the possibility of looking dumb, what is epdm? The gaskets between my tri-clamps? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
richard1 Posted February 9, 2020 Share Posted February 9, 2020 EPDM … (ethylene-propylene diene monomer). Yes, the gasket material between the clamped tri-clover ferrules. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rickthenewb Posted February 9, 2020 Author Share Posted February 9, 2020 Do you think that my low wines are lost or is it possible that my gns will be alright? I'm just curious on your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southernhighlander Posted February 10, 2020 Share Posted February 10, 2020 Hi Rick, If you purchased the still from us, the gaskets are fine as is the rest of the still. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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