Weak spirit

[Admiral Toad]

Hi again
Sorry to keep asking questions but got an odd worrying problem
3 runs now done on T 500 all went well 3.5 to 4 litres before tail at 92%
watered down to just over 40 % then passed through SS Z filter
Putting finished clear and fine tasting spirit into Demi for later flavouring and checked ABV which appears to have dropped to 35% ish have 2 alc hydroms both the same. Checked temperature when mixing and later test all fine around 20 degrees cel
Thought this happened with 1 st batch but put that down to innacurate measuring by me but was very careful this time
Lids were properly on Z filter receiver, carbon washed etc can't seem to see a reason
Help !

[Jimmy]

Think Bill just accidentally answered this on your other post - at a guess the water suspended in the filter has diluted the spirit as you push it through. I tend to leave it a little stronger and fine tune the strength with pure distilled water as the last step. If it tastes good, just stick more in, had to do the same once when I first started out!

[Admiral Toad]

Thanks Jimmy
Will give that a try and top up ex batch with next run. I suppose the Z will have a lot of water in amazed it's made this much difference. can see why some folk don't use/ like filters.

[Capt-Cudellez]

When I have used a filter, I do as Jimmy said and put the first lot in a little stronger. Also taste the output at the start, if its mainly water, don't collect it, then switch containers when you taste the spirit coming through.

Also at the end of the batch if you leave the spirit in the filter rather than flushing it with water the next batch will not have this problem. My only concern with this is if the filter housing is plastic - may not be great idea if your not running more for a while.

[Admiral Toad]

Cheers cap'n
Think i'lldo that run into another container until good spirit coming through in fact another good use for the fine parrot I have acquired from Lyonacre
Could even put in with tails for next run!

[Admiral Toad]

That's better should have realised how much water gets held in the Z filter ! As the song goes" won't get fooled again!" ! >:D

[Andy]

The other thing that nobody has hit on is the temp.
Our basic alcometers are set to test at a certain temp (cant remember what) and there are correction tables out there on the www if needed.
If your take off temp is high the % will be high, when testing later with lower temp the % will be lower.