Air Still distillation breakdown

[mozr]

I have just replied to a PM, and thought it might be useful to include the instructions of how I do the distillation of a 24 litre cleared wash using my air still.

Thanks goes to all on here who helped me get to this point (I won't name names).

If there are any additions, or amendments, let me know and I will add/subtract/change.

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Once my wash has fermented and cleared I start my distillation in two parts - the stripping run, and the spirit run.

Stripping run.

I run the wash through the still once, in 4 litre batches. I collect 1500ml every run, leaving me 6 x 1500ml of strip, equalling 9 litres. This takes roughly 4hrs 25mins from turning on to collecting 1500ml. With a 14% wash, a stripping run will yield 1500ml of approximately 30% alcohol.

Distillers conditioning and ceramic saddles are a must for the stripping run to prevent burping/over boiling.

That is enough for two spirit runs (8 litres), and one litre that is kept until the next wash. Every fourth wash I will have an extra four litres to do a spirit run with.

My spirit run is as follows.

There is no need to use Distillers Conditioning in the spirit run.

50ml foreshots - discard
250ml heads - normally at 78-80% - are put in a container labelled 'heads'.
500ml hearts - normally about 74-75%

then I collect the tails down to 60%.

I calculate this by collecting the tails in 100ml batches, kept in wine glasses, measuring the ABV as I go.

Once it goes below 60% I collect about 300-400ml more I put it in a bottle (I chuck it in the next wash after fermentation and clearing to bring the ABV up a bit, and also to make it easier to get 24 litres off the yeast cake (lees).

The tails above 60% I smell and taste test, adding what I want to my hearts.

Usually, I can collect 700ml of tails above 60%. Dependent on smell (sometimes the last 100ml stinks rotten), I add the lot to the 500ml hearts, dilute down to 40% and carbon filter.

This normally adds up to 2.1-2.2 litres of 40% ABV per spirit run.

This means I get 4.4 litres per wash. BUT!

By collecting 250ml of heads per spirit run in a jar, I am saving up for a heads run.

For every wash I get 500ml of heads. Once I collect 1750ml of heads (every three and a half washes), I do a heads run.

I water down the 75-80% heads to 30% with water to make 4 litres up, and run it.

Now remember this is now a triple distilled spirit. I do the run, and collect the lot in 100ml batches, measuring abv as I go.

Once the run gets past 55-60% ABV I stop collecting.

I then smell, and taste the batches, add the ones I want to keep together, dilute down to 40%, and carbon filter.

Last time I got 1.5 litres of 40% abv alcohol out of it.

You can see my results here viewtopic.php?f=3&t=714&p=6350#p6350.

I also have a litre of stripped wash, which once every four washes gets a spirit run yielding me another 2.2 litres.

So, by doing that and the heads run every three washes, and adding that to my 4.4 litres per wash, I actually get 5.4-5.5 litres of 40% spirit per wash.

Not the 7 litres Richard at wineworks espouses, but if you want your spirit to taste nice, the single run method is a no go, unless you want to start experimenting with non-turbo home made washes.

What I make is nice stuff. As its being run through a pot still you get a faint smell (slightly sweet). But the taste is really good. I have had no complaints.

My method is by no means perfect, but it works for me. I will continue to try and improve it.

EDIT: 15/01/12 Added some detail and diagram

I have been chatting with Brian (YHB), who has created an amazing diagram explaining my write up.

It is included below.



It is v1.0, and will be updated if any amendments that need to be made.

Questions are always welcome.

EDIT: 16/01/12 Updated info about stripping run.

[Jimmy]

Good method and great write-up, thanks for taking the time to share it!

[metalmickey]

A clear and concise method.

it should be in the "how to" section though


If anyone else would like to share their hints and tips please do so. They're invaluable to the noobs (of which i include myself). Its a shame there isnt a book...


MM

[mozr]

Thanks guys.

Aidan, this leads me to my next question.

What are you doing with the 30%-69% tails?

[mozr]

I thought as much, but I am always on the look out for that magic sentence.

'Yeah mozr, I water it down to 3%, run it, and get 2 litres of 90% ABV booze!'

Ah well.

[tedmoo]

Bloody good job sir on writing this up! Very well done, Thanks!

Few probably stupid question:

"Stripping run.

I run the wash through the still once, in 4 litre batches. I collect 1500ml every run, leaving me 6 x 1500ml of strip, equalling 9 litres. This takes roughly 4hrs 25mins from turning on to collecting 1500ml."

What %ABV do you end up with in each 1500ml? Surely not 65%? And do you throw the first 50ml?

Why do the 'instructions' say only collect the first 800ml, whereas you collect 1500ml in twice the time? (I was led to believe that the quality goes down seriously after 1st 800ml) or does this not matter as you are double distilling?

Would doing 800ml @ 65% then watered down to 40% then do a spirit run be the equivalent of your method?

Thanks again, this forum is excellent, I've probably read every post twice! But still find myself asking questions!

[mozr]

Hi Ted.

I have included a diagram in the first post, which explains that with a 14% wash the each stripping run will yield 1500ml at approximately 30% ABV alcohol. I will amend my description to reflect that.

This is by no means drinkable.

All the cuts are made in the spirit run, it is here we get our decent booze.

The original airstill method, is to do one run collecting everything, including foreshots and heads. This is partly the reason why it tastes so bad (that and the 'turbo' style fermentation process).

By double distilling we are refining and cleaning as we go. There is a reason why good vodka is triple/quadruple distilled.

[tedmoo]

Wow, incredible, cheers mate! That's exactly what I needed.

This should be made a sticky thread for other newbies to the airstill and wineworks bending of the truth!(I wouldn't have an airstill or be distilling now if it wasn't for the helpful videos Richard makes, excellent stuff) But without this forum I doubt I'd be very successful at making some spirits. Just hope other Airstill users find this place and learn a whole lot more. Fantastic hobby and great learning from pro's such as yourselves.

Thanks Very Much Mozr!

Think I'll try the vodka star yeast next time hopefully will be less smelly!

[mozr]

I don't want to turn this into a makefest but I would be none the wiser myself if it wasn't for the good guys on here.

Onwards and upwards gents.

Cheers.

[tedmoo]

Quick question, do you use distiller's conditioner on the spirits run?

[mozr]

I normally do just as good practice, but I often forget and it makes no difference.

You make a good point.

I am sure on the second distill the conditioner is superfluous.

I always use the ceramic bits though.

[mozr]

I have amended it with Aidan's thought about the conditioning.

He has just halved my usage thus decreasing my costs!

As a result, I have decided to grow an afro in celebration.

[tedmoo]

Yeah I now agree, no need for conditioner on second run.

Just wondering how 'neutral' your spirit ends up. Mine smells similar to vodka, is this because of the triple distilled yeast from a sugar wash? Or because it's my first time distilling and the crappy filter that I got with the airstill? Will the alcotec carbon I just ordered remove the vodkary (is that a word?) smell?

Thanks yet again for your awesomeness. Especially as you all have probably replied to hundred of newbies doing your heads in!

[tedmoo]

Also, does anyone know where to buy the essencia filter in UK? Can't find it or it's not in stock. I guess that buying the alcotec carbon will be alot cheaper and make a homemade filter, perhaps will cut a glass bottle in half and use that (keeping away from plastics) or just use a funnel and some coffee filter paper. Hmmmm.....

[Capt-Cudellez]

What a good write up - really sinking in how hard you air still guys have to work to get a decent amount of product. Hats off to you.