Low ABV on Reflux

[Boomgate]

Hi guys, previously I used to get around the 93-97% on my still, my last two runs have been 90%.

What is the element that decides the ABV result and what could be the likely cause for the reduction?

[kiwikeg]

hi boomgate I get this sometimes too what i find is its not enuff water flow thru the refux condenser at top of the column so water vapour starts sneaking into the output (can knock my output down to 80% if i am not careful)...warmer water from the mains in summer is a major cause of needing higher water flows. if its reallly hot weather i move the still into the bathroom with the extractor fan running. that gets me back up to 92-93%
hope this helps
kk

Edit 93-97%? ru sure? might need to correct that alcometer reading to 20c temp..... :smile:

[Boomgate]

Edit 93-97%? ru sure? might need to correct that alcometer reading to 20c temp..... :smile:

I think you might have just hit the nail on the head..... I didnt let it cool down before checking the ABV..... does that make it go up or down?

[kiwikeg]

give this one a whurr :handgestures-thumbupleft: http://www.copper-alembic.com/distillat ... hp?lang=en couldnt find a calculator for it on this site...
anyone know if theres one on aussie distiller?

[crow]

Yep there's 2 one is a app for ya phone called distillers toolbox posted by audistiller and the other is a calculator hmm are the not in calculators, I'll look into this for yaz, thought they were with the rest :?