Airstill, Best Practice and Results

[Easydrinker]

Personally,I air the raw spirit in small bottles,on a sunny window cill,under an open window,open to the internal elements.
Something must work,as the alcohol level and liquid level both drop.
I catch the occasional small fly in the summer,adds a little body,I don't fret.
Whatever works for you seems good to me.
Robert

[GrunthosTheFlatulent]

Excellent, I'm sure my elderly mother has some of those screw ring Kilner jars, they probably haven't been used for 20 years but will still be lurking somewhere in her pantry, I visit daily so will have to investigate.

Many thanks.

[william913]

Hi guys newbi here, do u also have to air the finished product (HEARTS)?

[chill]

I air all of it.

[Easydrinker]

Hi guys newbi here, do u also have to air the finished product (HEARTS)?

A little unsure of what you are asking here.
But welcome.
After a spirit run,I air all collection vessels for a couple of days,or more.
Then I come back and sniff and taste those that I expect to be OK and called hearts,saved,possibly to be aged and to be drinked.Drunk just doesn't sound right!
Fores go for fire lighting.
Heads go for a heads run.
Tails,if not too bad go in the next strip run.
HTH
Robert.

[Corps012588]

Striping my lentil wash using the guidance of collecting in 100ml batches till the reading is 20%
Thing is when it's all together it's only 40% not the 45-50% mentioned!
Is this ok?
I'll be watering back to 30% anyway before the spirit run.
I'm not bothered if I don't get as much as I should with the guide I just want a better product which is why I'm using this guide and the lentil wash.
I'm finally nearly through stripping 60l of it!

[chill]

I don't think you are meant to collect the output from stripping run in 100ml bottles. Those are for the start and end of the spirit run.

40% is reasonable. It all depends on the strength of the wash put into the still. Carry on.

Chuck

[Corps012588]

Sorry chill what I meant is I collect 100ml at a time in my trial jar as a sort of makeshift parrot.
When the 100ml batch reads 20% is when I stop collecting the strip
Then all combined what I've stripped is reading 40%
I really need to man up and make a parrot but for now I'm following a suggestion by Aidan previously on this post.
Thank you for helping buddy.

[chill]

As a time saving tip: there is no need to collect it all 100ml at a time. Just at the end when the output gets very slow.

[John51]

There is no need to strip everything first, unless you like to get a batch done and dusted before going on to the next stage.

What I used to do was 2 strips then a spirit run. Rinse and repeat. I don't like having lots of undrinkable alcohol lying around, I'm cluttered enough as it is. Either way, it all gets done so no never mind in the long run.

[Corps012588]

Hi chill. I usually collect 750ml and then do the 100ml at a time.
John51 I think I'm going to do that with the next large batch I do.
After the strip run that's on as we speak I have one more to do which will be done first thing in the morning as I have no work tomorrow.
I currently have 2 demijohns full to the brim with 40% strip and will have a further just short of 2 ltrs in the morning. Dread to think how much there is going to be when I water it back to 30%
Thanks guys.

[yeastbeard]

i have no idea how any sane person could consume more than one taste of product produced the way the manufacturer suggests. Had i not stumbled across this guide while stealing recipes i would have used my airstill for target practice after the very first run.

that being said... follow aidanmac's diagram TO THE LETTER (silence all of your assumptions and doubts), and you will produce some of the finest spirit (if not the finest) you have ever tasted, with absolutely NO hangovers! the only problem you will have if you follow this advice is keeping up with demand.

I can't thank you guys enough for taking the time to compile this for us!

[lakeslad]

i have no idea how any sane person could consume more than one taste of product produced the way the manufacturer suggests. Had i not stumbled across this guide while stealing recipes i would have used my airstill for target practice after the very first run.

that being said... follow aidanmac's diagram TO THE LETTER (silence all of your assumptions and doubts), and you will produce some of the finest spirit (if not the finest) you have ever tasted, with absolutely NO hangovers! the only problem you will have if you follow this advice is keeping up with demand.

I can't thank you guys enough for taking the time to compile this for us!

once you have done this do you still flavor it? if so with what product im currently using love brewings brandy/whiskey etc sachets

[JPM]

Hi there,

New member here and loving the forum!

I've had a look around for the answer to my question but couldn't find it...apologies if it's in here and I missed it but...using aidenmac's guide I was just wondering what's the process between the 4L stripping runs? Do I cool down and clean out the airstill between each therefore having the 1 hour heat up time? Or can I simply whack another 4L of wash in once the first has finished?

i'm asking this as a complete newbie that hasn't even purchased a still yet but can't wait to get started and wanted to have as much 'foreknowledge' as possible

thanks
Jay

[Anavrin]

Hi JPM and welcome

I've only used my airstill a few times but I can say they are quite hot when you've finished a run so it's best to leave it to cool down for a bit if you can, the outsides will be hot too, you could open the lid with care and some oven gloves and empty it out but it might be tricky, the last thing you want to do is drop it and burn yourself or others,
As for cleaning, I just give mine a rinse and a wipe out with a sponge.