Low ABV using triple distilled ?

[chill]

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

[Distillingchris]

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 ?

[Almanac]

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

[Distillingchris]

ahh right ok no worries thanks

[chill]

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

[Distillingchris]

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