Chalky residue

[fuf]

Recently I have noticed a very fine chalky residue is settling at the bottom of my bottles after I have watered down the spirit to 40%. The spirit is totally clear at 95% in the bottle, so I assume the problem is with the tap water I use to reduce the spirit to 40%. This problem has occurred on the the last 2 spirit runs and never before.
Today I have installed a water filter system in the Brewhouse for watering down the spirit. I hope this will cure the problem but I am baffled as to why it has happened.

Any ideas guys?

[Icefever]

Hi Fuf.

A similar Q ask on another forum states it maybe the " flouride chemicals" in the tap water that's used to dilute. I've also read the same thing somewhere else, so I think your assumption is correct mate.

I've read posts where the guys use distilled water or even filtered rainwater.
In fact I think it's on here somewhere about using the airstill to run off the water that's then used to water down.

[Almanac]

A few of us hereabouts use a Reverse Osmosis filter to produce clean-clean water for letting down spirits to bottle strength. It definitely does remove any doubt.

You'll get very good results using something like a Britta filter to clean up your water too.

AM

[fuf]

for the response BJ & aidanmac.
I will see if the water filter I installed does as it is supposed to later today.
If not, I may have to purchase an Essencia Carbon Filter

[Fil]

fwiw a local aquarium shop will give you upto 50l of ro water, gratis
i was up front and told em i was after it for brewing and they didnt bat an eyelid and filled up my jerrycans.. might be worth a few speculative phone calls round your area..

[Almanac]

I tried that over here in a pet shop that does a huge range in aquarium supplies. The manager looked at me like I had two heads and said "Sorry sir, I've never even heard of ...what did you call it again?

I went online and bought an RO system which I installed under my workshop sink.

AM

[Anavrin]

I found this and thought of you

https://www.stilldragon.org/discussion/ ... r-proofing

Could be calcium or other minerals in the water

[fuf]

I found this and thought of you

https://www.stilldragon.org/discussion/ ... r-proofing

Could be calcium or other minerals in the water

Anavrin. The filter I installed helped a little but the chalky residue remains. The obvious solution is to distill my own water, that's just what I need more bloody work.

[Anavrin]

Hi fuf

Just a thought

You could proof it down to 40% and store it in a demijon for a while to allow the residue to fall out, then siphon it off if that works, at least it's safe to drink.

[Almanac]

You could also try treating your water with gypsum to make suspended salts precipitate out before using the water for other purposes.

I have a document of water treatment for brewing stored on my main computer at home and I'll post it it here when I get home.

AM

[fuf]

I have had enough of this residue, tried the water filter and coffee filter but the problem is still present.
So, after much I have ordered the Essencia Carbon Filter @ £72.97 and a spare Carbon Cartridge @ £17.66 from Discount Brew. The spare is a backup for when I kill the original trying to take it apart to refill with carbon.
If this does not solve the problem
A big thank you to all of you guys for your input.

[Anavrin]

You could try aidanmac's new guide to water treatment to reduce the amount of calcium in your wash water, you'll be impressed with the essencia by the way

[Easydrinker]

The spare carbon filter maybe over kill,but I'm loving your style.
I am sure you will break into the supplied one,without problem,when the the time is right.for a re-fill.
And you will enjoy the results.
Robert

[Capt-Cudellez]

I used to get this problem, if you have some stronger spirit on hand add it to the container to push the ABV up to closer to 50% - give it a shake and leave it a while, if the residue goes redissolves then it probably only comes out of solution's at lower ABVs.

I bottle everything at 46% and don't have this issue any more - cant say its the same issue you have, but if your happy with the taste of your tap water, it might save you the price of a filter, and is at least worth an experiment.

[fuf]

I used to get this problem, if you have some stronger spirit on hand add it to the container to push the ABV up to closer to 50% - give it a shake and leave it a while, if the residue goes redissolves then it probably only comes out of solution's at lower ABVs.

I bottle everything at 46% and don't have this issue any more - cant say its the same issue you have, but if your happy with the taste of your tap water, it might save you the price of a filter, and is at least worth an experiment.

Thank you for that Capt. That could well be the answer! I used to bottle all at 50% but moaned that her vodka was too strong, when I told to water it down I got evil eye treatment. With regard to the water, I have used filtered water since the residue appeared.
Stupid me, I did not connect the residue with the lower ABV Looks like I just spent £90.63 on a peice of kit I could have done without. No worries though, I will make good use of the Essencia Carbon Filter and produce more Vodka @40% ABV.