Strange Residue

[Hootch]

I made my first run (sugar wash-17% abv) last week in my new (homemade) reflux still. Everything went OK, came off at 93% abv. I diluted to 40% abv, then added 2 Tbs.of toasted French Oak chips per 1.75 liter container. The spirit started changing color almost right away (a 5-10 minutes). The problem is that there is a residue in the bottom of the container. It looks a lot like lees from a fermention, except that it is a dark brown. When I siphon off the liquid, it is a nice honey color and tastes fine, but I don't know what the residue is. Can anyone advise? Thanks.

[possum]

Could be fine particles of sawdust, I use charred wood, and that has alot of fine particles in the juice. They settle out. Was your 93% stuff clear? Did it get poured over plastic or stored in a plastic jug ? High proof stuff can leach componets out of a plastic container or hose.

Did you clean ALL of the flux out of your rig...I'm just guessing in the dark.

[golden pond]

I'd say you have residue from your wood chips, I always have that in mine. I just put a folded paper towel in a funnel and strain it.

[Hootch]

The spirit as collected was clear. It was collected and stored in glass containers. The wood chips did not appear to have sawdust on them, but I belive you're on the right track. I didn't think of sawdust. I will try the straining bit. Thanks for the tip.

[Peachey]

I would say the residue would be from the wood chips, or could be sawdust. As long as it tastes ok after running it through a coffee filter, I wouldn't worry too much.

[Hootch]

Well, I tried the filter (paper towel folded inside a coffee filter) and it didn't work. As I tilted the bottle to pour through the filter, the residue mixed back in with the spirit and passed through the filter. I guess I'm stuck with multiple siphonings to get rid of the stuff.

[Tater]

Might try puttin likker in freezer overnight then filterin sometimes that helps

[Hootch]

Thanks tater, I'll try it.