StillSmart

How do people go about using hydro separation to improve their spirits? As far as I understand it, diluting a strip run under 30% ABV will separate some of the alcohols or oils into suspended layers. I can see the oily slick that forms on the surface and I scoop that off with a fine mesh seive.
Is that'll there is to it ?

Mate,
no there is more to it IMHO and
many 'other distilling forums' discussion have been concerned with this....and if you choose to websearch 'elsewhere' i am confident you may find much of the answer you seek (arrgggghhh, Capt Cuddelez has a search engine thingy...I simply cant find it ATM).

OK, what I know is (if doing a spirit run, anyhow) diluting your wash down to, say, 30% or less will provide for a better capacity re separation of fractions...all else equal.

Frank,you need a search function for yer search engine.....
http://www.google.com/cse/home?cx=00315 ... xevhvtmcnc
It's the third topic down in the general chat forum,on this site.

@ Mr.FS I don't often get oil-slicks,but think that I understand where you are coming from...
And slick catching may yet become a new sport.

As Frank stated, having diluted sub 30% and running your spirit run,aired it and then taken cuts,you will/should find that you end up with a decent product.

'Tis mostly time and experience that points the way.

Does any of that help?

Robert.

Sure does ED. thanks for that search engine.
I had a PM with Myles about this a couple of years back. I imagined a Tequila Sunrise which was right but I couldn't work out how to separate the various layers and make sure it's mostly hearts that goes into the boiler. Till now.

Here it is all beautifully explained by him (and Harry).http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopic.php?f=15&t=22052#p6909897