I recently made a 'machine' out of a wine bottle and copper wool. I exposed the wool to a torch and then put it in an oven at 500 degrees for an hour to try to burn off any unwanted coating. Its hard to describe but the spice smoke has a somewhat of a different flavor smoked out of this contraption. Im worried that I may be inhaling some nasty compounds that I may have failed to burn off. are these fears founded?

Hello,

I am positive that copper is not what you want for that....

I believe that stainless steel is the way to go, I believe I have seen thread about a particular kind to use that is "safest"

maybe do a search on brillo or steel wool

I agree. I would have gotten steel wool, but the store did not have it so compromised with copper wool which I have read somewhere is an acceptable substitute. Found nothing malicious so far about inhaling copper, because it has a very high B.P. Idk. Will get steel

I have been experimenting with both steel and copper wool but am having the same problem with both, after I heat them (until the glow red for a few seconds and all the smoke stops) i rub the in my fingers lots of metallic dust comes off them ut the more i rub the more that seems to come off. Does this mean the wool is not suitable? Or is there something else i need to do to it, i have tried wetting it the rubbing but like i said it just seems to create more dust.

I would really appreciate any feedback as I'm eager to get started.

kind regards K