I've done a quick skim of the threads in case it's already been covered - didn't see anything, sorry if I missed something.
My distillate is failing the cloudy test at the cutting stage, and it is my understanding that this cloudiness is fusel oils coming out of solution with a lower temp and alcohol strength. This has led me to wonder if it's possible to precipitate (I know this is really the wrong term, but don't know the word which means the opposite of 'dissolve') out the fusels with some kind of freezing/ice filtering or something like this.
Anyone know of anything or have some bright ideas?
Precipitating fusels possible?
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Precipitating fusels possible?
I don't drink any more, I just sample the cuts... who turned out the lights?
The 'rudeboy system' as shown on photobucket: http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n55 ... oystiller/
The 'rudeboy system' as shown on photobucket: http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n55 ... oystiller/
Re: Precipitating fusels possible?
I searched for "cloudy spirits" and "cloudy distillate" and found plenty of information...
Could be the water or excess fussel oils, amongst other things...
Could be the water or excess fussel oils, amongst other things...
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- Swill Maker
- Posts: 194
- Joined: Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:31 am
Re: Precipitating fusels possible?
Activated carbon will pull the fusel oils out if that's what is really the problem. But it will also pull out flavor. You can either set up a carbon filter, or just throw a few tablespoons of carbon in a jar of spirits and shake it up everyday for a week or so. I had to do that once when I was in a hurry and ran too hot on the spirit run. Seems to work okay
Re: Precipitating fusels possible?
I was kind of hoping this thread could discuss the possibility of removing fusels using it's tendency to come out of solution when the spirit is cut with water. I have been using carbon, but find it messy stuff to work with etc...
Someone was telling me that an old way of removing chicken fat from freshly made stock was to pass it through an ice filter, the fat would cling to the ice. While I realise this wouldn't work with fusels in spirits, I was wondering if there might be a similar kind of trick and maybe that someone with more knowledge of chemical processes has some ideas.
My spirit (neutral) only goes cloudy when I cut down to 40% ABV, and when I look closely I can see all the tiny particles of oils that came out of solution. These always settle out eventually. I just wish there was a way to catch them before they do.
Thanks for the tip on the water Hookline, I use the tap water here in central Auckland. It's an old building and I figure the water out of the tap tastes so good due to it coming through old porcelain pipes, but perhaps it is a little hard...
Someone was telling me that an old way of removing chicken fat from freshly made stock was to pass it through an ice filter, the fat would cling to the ice. While I realise this wouldn't work with fusels in spirits, I was wondering if there might be a similar kind of trick and maybe that someone with more knowledge of chemical processes has some ideas.
My spirit (neutral) only goes cloudy when I cut down to 40% ABV, and when I look closely I can see all the tiny particles of oils that came out of solution. These always settle out eventually. I just wish there was a way to catch them before they do.
Thanks for the tip on the water Hookline, I use the tap water here in central Auckland. It's an old building and I figure the water out of the tap tastes so good due to it coming through old porcelain pipes, but perhaps it is a little hard...
I don't drink any more, I just sample the cuts... who turned out the lights?
The 'rudeboy system' as shown on photobucket: http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n55 ... oystiller/
The 'rudeboy system' as shown on photobucket: http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n55 ... oystiller/
Re: Precipitating fusels possible?
you can try freezing spirits, then filtering threw coffee filters not going to guarantee it will work. next time run slower and make better cuts.
or you can dilute and rerun.
or you can dilute and rerun.
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- Master of Distillation
- Posts: 2711
- Joined: Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:36 pm
- Location: Northern NSW Oz Trail Ya
Re: Precipitating fusels possible?
Redistillation is the best and easiest filter you'll ever find.
Re: Precipitating fusels possible?
Thanks Punkin et al. after heeding your wise words I pushed my vodka through the kettle another couple of times and lo - I'm getting quite a reputation among my drinking friends. This stuff seems to my novice senses to be way better than any fancy vodka from a shop.
I don't drink any more, I just sample the cuts... who turned out the lights?
The 'rudeboy system' as shown on photobucket: http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n55 ... oystiller/
The 'rudeboy system' as shown on photobucket: http://s1139.photobucket.com/albums/n55 ... oystiller/