StillSmart

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T23:29:55+00:00

its just finished its run, ended up diluting it up to 4l and collected to just below 20, have now got my 2 batches that have both been strip runned and tomorrow will mix to do my spirit run. Thanks for the help

Statistics: Posted by Distillingchris — Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:29 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T23:00:04+00:00

Or you can not dilute it and strip the 2.5L at 20%. It will go quicker and you will likely end up with less volume at a higher ABV. I can't provide any guidance on how much to collect before you start measuring, just pointing out that there is more than one way of proceeding.

Chuck

Statistics: Posted by chill — Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:00 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T19:40:49+00:00

ahh right ok no worries thanks

Statistics: Posted by Distillingchris — Sat Dec 01, 2012 7:40 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T19:33:25+00:00

Don't sweat it, we've all had little episodes like this, every one of us

The great thing about the Airstill is that it's a relatively small matter and can easily corrected so there's nothing lost except a little time.

You need to start again. Take the 2.5lt you've collected and top up to 4lt with clean water and put it back into the still.

Re-start the still and when it starts to drip collect 1lt then change the collection vessel and then collect the distillate in 100ml lots. I'm suggesting this because I'm assuming you don't have a distillers parrot like this...

(You'll need one of these in time - it makes the stripping runs very easy indeed )

When each 100ml lot is filled pour it into your trial jar and take a reading with your alcometer. When you have a 100ml lot that registers just under 20% turn the still off. The average strength of what you have collected will be between 40-50% depending on the strength of the original wash. You will probably not get 1.35lt given the apparent strength of your wash based on the hydrometer readings so go by the alcometer.

You asked, "can i still do the spirit run as planned using the guide?" Short and unpopular answer is No! Having drawn off 2.5lt what you have is not much better than the original wash and you'd have to top it up again, with clean water, and strip it properly before trying do a spirit run.

I would normally recommend that you finish all the stripping of the wash before a spirit run because the low wines collected from one 4lt batch of wash will not give you enough for a spirit run when diluted to 30%.

In the Guide the example shows 1.35lt collected at an average strength of 50% from each 4lt batch of wash. That 1.35lt, when diluted to 30% would make up only 2.25lt. Also, if you dilute to less than 30% the figures in the Guide will be useless as they are based on 30%ABV on the spirit run.

I know patience can wear thin when things don't go as planned but you're getting there so keep at it.

Strip two batches of wash, as above, then combine them and dilute to 30%ABV and you'll have enough to do a spirit run. At least you'll have something to show for all your work and effort and it will give you the incentive to go on and strip the rest of the wash.

I used to stick on one stripping run each evening in the week and do the spirit runs at the weekend. This way you'll quickly build up a stock of steadily improving spirits.

Good luck with it and keep the faith

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sat Dec 01, 2012 7:33 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T18:27:41+00:00

ahh right ok, so what should i do with the 2 1/2 litres i have got ? can i still do the spirit run as planned using the guide ?

Statistics: Posted by Distillingchris — Sat Dec 01, 2012 6:27 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T18:14:49+00:00

You are not reading that correctly. You collect until what is coming out of the still is at 20% ABV, NOT until the total collected is at 20% ABV! When it slows to about a drop every two seconds that is around (probably below) 20% ABV. A stripping run should take 3.5 to 4.5 hours (depends on strength of what you are stripping). You need to collect small samples at the end and test them with an alchometer to know when to stop.

Chuck

Statistics: Posted by chill — Sat Dec 01, 2012 6:14 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T15:52:05+00:00

have collected 2 1/2 litres at about 22%, opened the lid and am left with light green coloured water, is this normal ? will let it cool down then do another batch before i sleep, it took about 6 hours to get 2 1/2 litres, is that why in the guide they collect 1350ml then water down, is there any difference in any of these ways.

Statistics: Posted by Distillingchris — Sat Dec 01, 2012 3:52 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T13:17:05+00:00

and i presume if im collecting till 20% i just skip the adding water part and pour 4l of 20% for my spirit run into the still.

Statistics: Posted by Distillingchris — Sat Dec 01, 2012 1:17 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T13:15:54+00:00

yes ive read the guide just wanted to double check, just checking im doing this right as i have now collected 1.5l and its still about 33%, i just keep going till 20% right ?

Statistics: Posted by Distillingchris — Sat Dec 01, 2012 1:15 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T11:15:19+00:00

Different yeasts can be bought for different types of spirits but the only difference is the enzymes that are included. Those yeasts are generally more expensive and there's no point using them unless you're making that particular spirit from the correct ingredients. i.e Whiskey made from grain or Rum made from Molasses, etc.

On the stripping run you collect distillate from the still until your alcometer shows the output has just dipped below 20% alcohol. In the example in the Guide a total of 1.35lt or 35% of the 4lt wash in the still was collected and the rest, 65% of what went into the still in the first place, was general waste to be disposed of. While this gets rid of the bulk of what you don't want it doesn't produce clean alcohol or make the distillate collected safe..

The distillate collected on the stripping run is generally called 'low wines' and contains volatile substances that can be very harmful if consumed, substances like Ethyl Acetate, Acetone, in some cases, Methanol and other non-desireables. These substances will be separated off and discarded on the spirit run.

What makes the spirit safe on the second distillation is the removal and discarding of the Foreshots - 50ml from each 4lt batch, no less.

After that, making good quality spirit requires;
(1) the separate collection of the Heads - (this will be recycled later)
(2) separate collection and airing of the Heart of the spirit.
(3) separate collection of the Tails (this will be added to your next wash for stripping)

If you followed the manufacturers instructions you would end up drinking 250ml of the spirit Heads, the side effects of which can be quite unpleasant but not dangerous in itself.

The Guide gives general instructions to get you to cleaner, safer spirit production and once you've mastered the general principles you should read the Guide to Spirit Cuts for Beginners where you will learn how to more accurately identify the end of the Heads, the Hearts and the onset of the Tails.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sat Dec 01, 2012 11:15 am

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-12-01T09:13:16+00:00

thanks for the help, has anyone tried the still spirit vodka/whiskey/rum yeast aswell ? and have just put my first wash on following the guide, am i right in saying i collect everything until the container im collecting in goes down to 20% or do i just want to keep 50% or does it not matter. On the double distill it says to collect 1000ml hearts then decide on the tails, does the first stripping run make the spirit safer ? as from the manufacturer it says to only collect 700 from the first run, i know you say dont listen to them i just want to make sure its obviously safe etc.

Statistics: Posted by Distillingchris — Sat Dec 01, 2012 9:13 am

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-11-30T19:52:33+00:00

chaslam07 wrote:
so your telling me this 24l wash is rubbish and i should throw away ? i am sure if i double distill what i have and triple filter this is drinkable and safe ? otherwise they wouldnt sell it ? i do obviously want the cleanest wash and spirit i can get but would be a shame to of lost a week and half and 25l of wash ? what yeast should you use then to get the cleanest wash if not using triple distilled ? and do you then have to add anything, as with the triple you add carbon ?, thanks

I didn't say throw it away, something can be salvaged from it especially as it didn't reach high strength which is where the problems really start. When I use the word 'safe', like most experienced distillers here, I'm referring to avoidance of anything that may do you harm including causing vomiting, headaches, trots, general un-wellness, etc. Badly produced alcohol product will do this.

Double distilling is a must for this type of wash/still but the triple filtering shouldn't be necessary depending on the seriousness of your filter system. If your spirit has long enough contact with the right grade of activated carbon a single pass will remove the impurities and off smells. If the spirit still smells 'chemical' after filtering then the filter is not effective and, in my experience, multiple passes through an ineffective filter may get rid of the smell but not the more serious impurities.

There are many opinions on the question of what yeast/pack you should use to get the cleanest wash. In a ready made, all-in-one pack it has to be Vodka Star and you don't need to add anything once you prepare your water to pH5.5, dissolve the sugar completely, pitch the VS at the correct temp, aerate the wash, seal it up and keep it somewhere where the temperature won't keep going up and down between day and night.

One other thing will help you avoid unpalatable and undesirable results is to avoid anything that needs dirty black carbon in the wash. Homebrew shops make a fortune from selling you a Turbo Yeast Pack + Bag of Liquid Carbon + Turbo Clear when all you really need is a pack of Vodka Star - end of.

You said, "otherwise they wouldnt sell it" if only that were true! All the manufacturers in this industry are prepared to say almost anything and make all sorts of outlandish claims about how great their products are. After all, they know none of us are likely to report them to the local Trading Standards Office - are we?

The more you read here the more you'll be able to avoid the pitfalls because many of us here have been-there-done-that and posted our embarrassment so that others won't make the same mistakes.

For clean washes you should aim for around 12%ABV and I know there are many here who have found the sweet-spot, in terms of ideal wash strength, to be around 10%. It's a lesson we all learn, one way or another.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Fri Nov 30, 2012 7:52 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-11-30T17:38:31+00:00

It is not the best wash you can make, but I would not throw it away. Follow the double distill procedure, collect in small jars at the start and end and make proper cuts. Then filter it. Your body and your mouth will thank you.

Chuck

Statistics: Posted by chill — Fri Nov 30, 2012 5:38 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-11-30T15:01:44+00:00

Following the 'as sold' instructions for an airstill gives gutrot spirit that has an odour and taste that must be filtered.

There are other options though...

Favourite seems to be the double distilling but mine is a diy converted water still and I'm not comfortable having 70+%vol spirit coming out of it. So I do one run only but wind the power down to 175w. I've tried various turbos and they all give the dreaded 'homebrew' taste and odour but I've found that Vodka Star is about the best for a clean wash. (It isn't a turbo even though it is labelled as such.) A slower ferment gives better quality if you've the patience.

A light dimmer rated to 500w will be an ok power controller for your airstill. There are some cute 300w ones on the bay but they're on the edge of capacity for an airstill. .

Statistics: Posted by John51 — Fri Nov 30, 2012 3:01 pm

Re: Low ABV using triple distilled ?

2012-11-30T13:17:18+00:00

so your telling me this 24l wash is rubbish and i should throw away ? i am sure if i double distill what i have and triple filter this is drinkable and safe ? otherwise they wouldnt sell it ? i do obviously want the cleanest wash and spirit i can get but would be a shame to of lost a week and half and 25l of wash ? what yeast should you use then to get the cleanest wash if not using triple distilled ? and do you then have to add anything, as with the triple you add carbon ?, thanks

Statistics: Posted by Distillingchris — Fri Nov 30, 2012 1:17 pm