Page 1 of 1

Does the Still Spirits Turbo Yeast produce methonol

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2018 10:15 pm
by tealby
The Air Still makes 55% ABV spirit by condensing the alcohol vapours using a fan and air.
When using Still Spirits Turbo Yeast in conjunction with this technology, you do not need to discard the first 50ml as methanol is not produced.
However when using an alternative yeast it is safe practice to discard the first 50ml.

The above is taken from my m8s Airstill instruction manual is this true ? no methonol if you use Still Spirits Turbo Yeast ?

Re: Does the Still Spirits Turbo Yeast produce methonol

PostPosted: Sun May 06, 2018 10:58 pm
by Easydrinker
It is kind of complicated, and kind of simple.
If you ferment whole fruit such as peaches, or use a wooden fermenting vessel, then you can expect a very small amount of Methanol.
Using turbo yeasts or any of the proscribed sugar washes and whatever yeast you fancy brews, will also not produce Methanol in any amount to worry about.
Using HDPE/Glass vessels.
The reason that 50ml of fores has become standard on this site for making neutral IMHO is that you know it keeps you safe, and you know it will taste like shit! :D

Robert.

And that 50ml goes into my fire/bbq lighting bottle.
Heads and Tails are something else.

Re: Does the Still Spirits Turbo Yeast produce methonol

PostPosted: Mon May 07, 2018 3:23 am
by Myles
The amount of methanol produced during fermentation is low. Yes some yeasts and some fermentation conditions produce more but it is still minimal.

There are more nasties than Methanol in a wash that you want to get rid of, hence the foreshots and heads cuts.

Methanol however is not one of these. Methanol is present through the entire run. When using a pot still from a low ABV boiler charge it is slightly concentrated in the tails - it is highly soluble in water.

When running a reflux column with a high ABV boiler charge it is 7x more concentrated and is mainly in the heads.

It is still present in your product - just in reduced concentration and WAY below the recommended limit.