StillSmart

Hi all..

Please can someone confirm my suspicion on how this device works..
Am i correct in thinking that the higher quality strength spirit always rises in the column and exits as its running gradually getting weaker as its replaced..
If im off the mark, please can someone explain the theory to it..

Thanks
Rich

That sounds right.

All distilling produces high abv at start reducing over run from high to zero gradually on a pot still much more abrupt on a reflux (although I've never run one until it stops producing)

A parrot will therefore always be slightly behind what is dripping into it in terms of exact readings but as there is such a small involved it is not worth worrying about

monkeyb0yuk wrote:
Please can someone confirm my suspicion on how this device works..
Am i correct in thinking that the higher quality strength spirit always rises in the column and exits as its running gradually getting weaker as its replaced..
If im off the mark, please can someone explain the theory to it..

Thanks
Rich

Am I right in thinking that when you asked "the higher quality strength spirit always rises in the column and exits as its running gradually getting weaker as its replaced.. That you were actually referring to the "column" of a distiller's parrot and not an actual still column? The subject header was a bit of a giveaway

If that is the case then the answer to your original question is No!

Distillate is delivered from the product condenser to the bottom of the measuring tube of a distiller's parrot by gravity and every drop that arrives in the bottom of the tube displaces an equal amount at the top of the tube which then drips to your collection vessel.

The ABV of distillate in the tube, as read from the alcometer, is an average running figure but given the small amount of distillate in the tube this is sufficient for stripping run purposes.

You should also keep in mind that a distiller's parrot is only of use where you're doing stripping runs in a Pot Still - it serves no other useful purpose as using it anywhere else will only lead to smearing in your spirits.

AM

aidanmac wrote:You should also keep in mind that a distiller's parrot is only of use where you're doing stripping runs in a Pot Still - it serves no other useful purpose as using it anywhere else will only lead to smearing in your spirits.AM

It's more of a problem with smaller runs. Obviously, the larger the run, the better the "flushing" of the parrot.

I don't use the parrot until the fore-shots and the heads are gone. (I only do single spirit runs). Keeps it cleaner. I use the parrot with the thermometer in the still to tell me when the tails are about to start.

scarecrow

IMHO
a parrot (and an alcometer inserted therein) has no REALTIME role in either a strip run or a spirit run on a potstill (at least).

I've used one (handmade too etc) for quite a while to 'work it out' subjectively but if you run consistent washes and collect in suitable,'separation' containers....surely the point is to 'just grab it' with stripruns and 'dont smear' on spirit runs?

As such, a parrot and alcometer works just as well (for me) 'later'; ie after the run.
Of course, I still have NFI really ...