StillSmart

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?

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.

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

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

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..

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

I found this and thought of you

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

Could be calcium or other minerals in the water

Anavrin wrote: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.

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.

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

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.

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

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

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.

Capt-Cudellez wrote: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.