Deep Cleaning of Hybrid Still

[Mathieu]

Hello everyone, 

I'm wandering how can i deep clean my still. I've seen different ways but i can use some of your advice.

I have CIP equipment in the pot, still head, column, top of the deflegmator and botanical chamber so I've seen that i should do sodium hydroxide in recirculation mode then fresh water then citric acid and finish with fresh water again. But this will not clean the inside of the pipes (the top ones where only vapor pass through) and the condenser so what should i do? Especially if i want to change what i distill (currently only doing rum but i may be doing other things soon)

Should i do a vinegar run, then a sacrificial run with for exemple my heads as alcohol? So that everything is clean even all the pipes and the condenser?

How often should i do a cleaning with sodium hydroxide and citric acid? And/or a vinegar run?

Thank you

[Kindred Spirits]

How much buildup is there on the inside?

Typically its recommended to use some mild chemicals like PBW and hot water, followed by a light citric rinse if you are looking for that shine, however with copper there is such a thing as "too much" cleaning with acids as they will eventually eat away the copper.

In terms of the condensers, you can soak them by capping the bottom inlets/outlet and filling from the top. Usually for most clients I recommend a light cleaning between spirit types, or when you can notice the effectiveness of the copper starting to fade. If going to lets say a vodka from a Gin, it would be recommended to do a more thorough cleaning to get rid of the oils from the gin run, but even then, most of the time a 140 degree PBW will clean it out pretty well. 

[Mathieu]

@Kindred Spirits

Not much, some verdigris in the column, some fungus i think on the inside of the pot and some kind of orange powder on the inside of the head pot that i cannot reach very well to clean with a brush (i might just disassemble it for cleaning). It's that i have not used the still for a few month so i would like a deep clean before starting again the rum production in July. And also know what type of cleaning to do a few times a year and between different type of spirits.

So no vinegar run for a deep clean of the entire pipe system? I tough that the vapor will get to some place that water will not go. 

[Kindred Spirits]

A vinegar run would be a good idea especially if you take it apart for cleaning its more like a finishing process for cleaning. I like to use them for leak detection as well because does get in all the cracks an crevices and the smell alerts you to any potential leaks. 
Depending on the buildup you see during single spirit type runs you can typically get away with a good CIP cleaning process. If the buildup is significant due to wash crusting on the sides of the boiler you might have to get in there and scrub it off.

[Mathieu]

@Kindred Spirits

Thank you very much for your advices, I will put them in pratice next week!

I have just a last question, after doing a vinegar run, should i do a sacrificial run (with some of my heads for exemple) or just distilling water will rinse the vinegar?

[Kindred Spirits]

Depending on what you are running you can do a normal distillation, just take your heads cut and discard them. Or if you want to do a small sacrificial run that works too, just be sure the boiler is charged enough so as not to run dry.