Sodium Carbonate

[memetic]

I started using sodium carbonate when I first started distilling (based on what I read here). So, I never really knew what running without it would be like. Last night I forgot to add it to the low wines in the boiler and I now know that sodium carbonate is the shite. I cannot believe what a horrible run I had without it. Almost unbelievable. I barely got 250mL of clean 95% out of 6L -- I have to re-distill the whole batch (except the 250mL). Anyone who has been putting off using it needs to get themselves down to the pool supply store and get some. Mine was $7 for 5 lbs. It's called "pH Up" by Phoenix.

Thanks to all those who posted information about sodium carbonate here for everyone to read.

[Boda Getta]

Memetic:
Newbi here; please advise method of using Sodium Carbonate. Do you add it for stripping runs also or just spirit runs. Do you add it regardless of the ph level of product being distilled. How much do you add per 5 gal wash .
Any help appreciated.

BG

[memetic]

Read the sticky post above named "Baking Soda" (keep in mind that sodium carbonate is not baking soda though, as you will read in that thread). That is what I follow. Sometimes, I get a little heavy handed and do two big spoonfuls for a couple gallons. I have also just used one spoonful for the same amount. I am still collecting data to determine if the extra little bit of SC makes a difference.

http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... =15&t=5753" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow

edit: I forgot to add, I just use SC for spirit runs and I don't check the pH of anything. I have no reason to as I am getting the best vodka I have ever had with very little effort (well, now that I know what I am doing).

[rad14701]

(well, now that I know what I am doing).

There's your answer... I'm sure I'm not the only member here who feels a sense of pride in knowing that the information and help provided by these fine forums has contributed to the successful delinquency of yet another home distiller...

[memetic]

(well, now that I know what I am doing).

There's your answer... I'm sure I'm not the only member here who feels a sense of pride in knowing that the information and help provided by these fine forums has contributed to the successful delinquency of yet another home distiller...

Haha. That's great.

[memetic]

Memetic:
Newbi here; please advise method of using Sodium Carbonate. Do you add it for stripping runs also or just spirit runs. Do you add it regardless of the ph level of product being distilled. How much do you add per 5 gal wash .
Any help appreciated.

BG

I started adding the SC to my stripping runs and I am having the same great success as I do for my distilling runs. I am almost doubling the product I get back stripping. I am completely amazed at how well this stuff works. I get about 5 gallons of 40% from about 14 gallons of sugar wash. My distilling runs are running about 10-80-10 -- percentage of Heads-Hearts-Tails. Just thought I'd share my success with SC.

[Odin]

M,

I do not understand how you use baking soda on your stripping run and get more alcohol. Or do you make cuts on your stripping run as well?

I use a CM style fractionating still for my spirit run. Great tail compression, bad heads compression. After adding 1 teaspoon of BS (?) per liter of 40% low wine, I still need to toss 20% to 25% as fores/heads cut!On a sugar base, not tails cut is needed. It stops automatically with almost no loss of Alcs left in the boiler. So I do get to a hearts portion allmost similar to yours, but my heads part is múch more.

So my questions are: what kinda rig do you run? How much BS do you use on your spirit run per liter low wines?

Odin.

[Dnderhead]

Watch the sodium carbonate on stripping runs..if you add enough to make it alkaline
you can end up with blue distillate..

[schmand]

Watch the sodium carbonate on stripping runs..if you add enough to make it alkaline
you can end up with blue distillate..

Why did you say stripping runs?
Does it only occur with stripping runs, not with spirit runs?

schmand

[Dnderhead]

Yeast and yeast nutrient both contain lots of ammonium salts (like DAP), which are very stable under acidic conditions, but which release lots of ammonia as the approach neutral conditions. Actually, you will start getting ammonia at about pH 5! you may find your condenser coil packed with blue crystals after such a run (and blue alcohol too !)
It forms in stills when ammonia released from alkaline washes (nitrogen source may be plant material or yeasts) reacts with copper hydroxide formed by the action of steam on copper oxides coating the inside of copper columns or components. It may be avoided by ensuring that the liquid in the boiler is slightly acid

[frozenthunderbolt]

Sodium (salt) build up will occur (certainly with bicarbonate anyways - can anyone clarify with SC?) and stall your ferments if you add it to stripping runs from which you want the dunder/backset for future use.

[Odin]

What I learned is: use Backing Soda only on your spirit run, and when you do not want to re use backset. If you use backset for sourmashing like UJSSM, use Calcium Carbonate for PH correction. Does anyone use Backing Soda on a spirit run UJSSM? Cannot imagine it, thought it was only for neutrals, but am curious.

Odin.

[memetic]

I have a hybrid LM/VM still. I have a boka head that I use to remove fores and some of the heads with a gate valve lower down the column for everything else. The column is attached to a keg. I have pictures up here if you want to see it.

I use about 3 tablespoons for 4.5-5 gallons distill run -- sometimes a little more. But when stripping I put about 4-5 big tablespoons for almost 15 gallons. I got the original measurements in the sticky thread above. I think I veered off somewhere along the line.

[memetic]

Sodium (salt) build up will occur (certainly with bicarbonate anyways - can anyone clarify with SC?) and stall your ferments if you add it to stripping runs from which you want the dunder/backset for future use.

I haven't noticed any build up of anything. No discoloration either.

I did just read about ammonia. I haven't noticed that at all. Does concern me though. I'm going to read up a bit more on it.