Solder,copper still

[7thswan]

I have an Antique copper pot-well, I was told it is a still. It has a screw on brass lid with a vent that had threads on it. Dh is making me a brass fitting (cause the threads are unusually close together) to press fit a section of copper tubing into it. This is a small pot- 2 gallons, and I want to use to distill Herbs and flowers such as my Rugosa Roses. I can see inside around the bottom edge there is solder. Is there a way I can determine if this solder has lead in it?

[ace admirer]

if its more than about 5 years old its likely lead.

[7thswan]

Originally Posted by ace admirer

if its more than about 5 years old its likely lead.

Oh. Is htere anything I can do? How about,take it apart and re solder it,with leadfree?

[Sawmill Jim]

i here you can process corn in it too

[7thswan]

Originally Posted by Sawmill Jim

i here you can process corn in it too

ya, I wounder if the lead bothered the past users

[suitcase_sally]

It's my understanding that the old timers would make poison white light'ning by running the stuff thru an old car radiator. The radiators were soldered with lead.

I believe that lead solder hasn't been used in quite awhile. I worked in the auto industry and we used a tin/antimony solder for about 20 years or so. I retired in 2005. It could be silver solder.

[ryanthomas]

You can buy test swabs that you rub on it and they change color if it's lead. You should be able to take it apart, clean it up and re-solder with lead-free.

[7thswan]

Oh, Thank you! I'll look into these suggestions.

[ryanthomas]

Now that I think about it, it really shouldn't be a problem if it is lead if you're not using the liquid in the still. Lead doesn't evaporate, so it won't come across in the steam.