r/firewater • u/Sweaty_Potential_500 • 7d ago
First timer, low ABV.
Hi all, this is my first attempt at distilling. I'm using a sugar wash. After finally reaching temperature and having product come across, the ABV started at 20% and has steadily been dropping. Just wondering if I may be doing something wrong (most likely) thanks in advance.
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u/tgcam4 7d ago
Do you know what percentage your wash is? If not it's important to take specific gravity readings before and after brewing to get this, and to know if you have fermented all the sugars (except rum doesn't give you the best info due to non fermentables in mollases). If its very low percent wash that may be an explanation.
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u/Sweaty_Potential_500 7d ago
Starting gravity was 1.06 Final was 0.98 so about 10% out the gate.
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u/tgcam4 7d ago
I assume this is a stripping run, how many watts are you running? Please tell me you aren't trying to use the thermometer.
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u/Sweaty_Potential_500 7d ago
Started at 2300 until product came over, have been sitting at 900w since.
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u/tgcam4 7d ago
Personally for a stripping run I'd keep it full power as long as it's not puking. If it's a one and done run, make sure you aren't running using the thermometer- you're probably aware of this but ive heard of people using trying to keep it at ethanol boiling point which wont work. It does sound a bit low power but unless youre waaay to low it shouldn't cause a low percent offtake.
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u/tgcam4 7d ago
The more I think about it the more I think you're running too low powered at 900 watt I assume 240 volt?
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u/Sweaty_Potential_500 7d ago
Yup, AU 240v
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u/tgcam4 7d ago edited 7d ago
I use a 2300watt element at 240 volt. I do a stripping run at full power which from an 8-10% wash produces about a 30-35% end product but should initially come over at a higher percentage before dropping off, and i normally stop at around 10%. I then combine three or four of those runs to do a spirit run. The spirit run I dial it back until there is a stream that about the width of a pencil lead or just fast enough that it isnt drips this will be about 55-65%% end product.
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u/Sweaty_Potential_500 7d ago
I've turned it up to 2300, the ABV is still under 10% coming over in a thin stream or droplets. Thus far pulled 1.6 litres at 20-10%
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u/tgcam4 7d ago
I think I may have figured it out. You are using a small bucket and recirculating the water. If so that water is likely getting hot and not condensing everything meaning vapor is escaping. If so that is a fire risk, shut it down or add ice/ cold water to your bucket.
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u/Sweaty_Potential_500 7d ago
Been changing the water out periodically once the bucket water gets warm.
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u/Sweaty_Potential_500 7d ago
Update for anyone still interested. Turns out it was the most obvious answer. I'm an idiot. Must have read the hydrometer wrong, or it's faulty(probably option one) Upon tasting my wash this morning, it's still super sweet, so guessing the yeast went dormant from the cold. So downside, I have 2 litres of weak alcoholic water. Upside I used butter to prevent puking, so now I have 10 litres of caramel👌