Methanol - But I actually paid for a test.
Posted: Sun Aug 24, 2025 12:46 pmI 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.
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.