Methanol - But I actually paid for a test.

[InterestingUsername]

I know this topic comes up a lot, but I figured I’d get a test done for my own peace of mind. I get that sugar washes shouldn’t produce methanol, but I was curious to see for myself.

These days I mostly run a kale sugar wash, and that’s what this sample came from. I used an Airstill Pro and first stripped the wash in pot-still mode without making cuts, then ran it through in reflux mode and was pretty careful with my cuts. The end result was about 89% ABV.

By the time I sent it off, the batch had already been sitting with lemon rind for a couple of weeks (was starting a limoncello). I didn’t expect the lemon to make a difference, but it was the only batch I had on hand when I came across the testing service.

Anyway, the results came back as below the lab’s minimum detection range for methanol. This was from a proper commercial lab — the same type of testing done on retail spirits — so I feel pretty confident in the result.

methanolTest.png

[TheRealMrMessy]

Nice! Good to have the reassurance - did you take a big heads cut out of the batch, or just a fores cut for the experiment?

I'm going to do similar with some of the low carb beers I'm trying to develop. Once it has all appearances to me of being low carb, I'll be getting a few lab tests done to get actual numbers! Couple places in the country do it and its only 70 bucks a pop.

[InterestingUsername]

Nice! Good to have the reassurance - did you take a big heads cut out of the batch, or just a fores cut for the experiment?

I'm going to do similar with some of the low carb beers I'm trying to develop. Once it has all appearances to me of being low carb, I'll be getting a few lab tests done to get actual numbers! Couple places in the country do it and its only 70 bucks a pop.

I wouldn't say big head cuts, but a little more than usual as i was trying to get a very clean tasting result when i was doing this batch.