There are several cases of distilling salty liquids in craft gin, but distilling in a copper still is not considered a good idea.We thought about the problems of distilling salty liquids in a copper still.
When distilling salt-containing liquids, the material of the distiller can lead to chemical reactions or corrosion, damage to the equipment. Here are key points to consider when using a copper distiller for this process.
Potential Chemical Reactions Between Salt and Copper
Although salt (sodium chloride) rarely reacts directly with copper, under certain conditions, the reaction may occur:
Oxidizing Environment: In acidic liquids or oxygen-rich conditions, copper can oxidize, forming copper chloride (CuCl or CuCl₂).
High Temperature and Humidity: During distillation, heating causes salts to act as electrolytes, accelerating corrosion.
Copper chloride is toxic, and its formation poses a risk of contamination in the distilled water.
Effects of Corrosion
Corrosion of a copper distiller can lead to the following issues:
Health Risks: Substances like copper chloride or patina (a greenish corrosion product) can cause gastrointestinal issues or liver damage when ingested in excess.
Equipment Degradation: Advanced corrosion weakens the distiller, reducing its durability and lifespan.
Preventive Measures
To ensure safety when using a copper distiller for salt-containing liquids, consider the following precautions:
1. Avoid Acidic Conditions
Do not distill acidic liquids, or neutralize them by adjusting their pH with a buffering agent.
2. Proper Maintenance
Clean the distiller after each use to remove residual salt. Cleaning with vinegar
Effects on health
In case of contact with seawater or strong acids, copper chloroxide is formed.
Copper chloride is toxic and can cause gastrointestinal disorders and adverse effects on the liver and kidneys if ingested in high concentrations.
When copper reacts with carbon dioxide, moisture, and salt, it produces a patina. The main components are basic copper carbonate and basic copper chloride. Although it was thought to be toxic in the old days, the patina produced in a normal environment is almost non-toxic.
Ingestion in high concentrations can affect health
countermeasure
Salt alone does not react in any way, but it will corrode if it is damp.
If the salt corrodes, clean it as soon as possible. Use vinegar or baking soda to clean.
Maintain dry conditions to avoid dampness.
The meaning of distilling brine
Industrially, salt and impurities can be removed from seawater to obtain water that can be used as drinking water or industrial water. Minerals are also removed, so the taste of distilled water may be felt to be flattened.
The significance of distilling salt to make craft gin is that it can add minerality to the distillate by distilling it while retaining a certain amount of salty flavor in pot distillation.
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