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How to achieve the best results from your Air Still

The main reason for writing this is that a number of customers have purchased a setup, and are either confused by the manual, or purchasing more expensive options.

 

For this method you will need the following:-

· Still Spirits Turbo Air Still

· Still Spirits Triple Distilled yeast

· Still Spirits Turbo Carbon

· Still Spirits Turbo Clear

· Alcoholmeter

· Hydrometer

· A 30 litre plastic fermenter (complete with airlock, tap, grommet, & adhesive thermometer)

· Plastic spoon (50-60cm)

· A glass collection jug

· Distillers Conditioner

· 5 litre glass demijohn, with stopper

· Brewcraft/Morgans detergent

· 6 to 8 kg of sugar (Aldi, CSR or Bundaberg)

· A spirits filter such as the Nano Stainless steel, or Still Spirits EZ filter

· A water container with tap, found in homebrew or camping stores

Start by assembling your 30 litre fermenter. Clean it with some detergent, if that has not been already done, then rinse. Fill the fermenter up to the 21 litre mark with water at @ 30⁰C. Now add 6 to 8kg of sugar, and stir until completely dissolved. 8kg of sugar, will take longer but will provide a higher yield. Now mix in the sachet of Turbo Carbon. This can be quite messy, so take care not to spill any. Add the Triple Distilled yeast, and stir well. Secure the lid loosely, with the airlock. The contents will now be referred to as the ‘wash’. Fill airlock with water. For best results have the temperature between 18 to 24⁰C. Please note that this will take longer in cooler weather, but can be kept at this temperature with the use of a heater pad, or heater belt.  

After 5-7 days check the wash, with the hydrometer. Remove the lid, and place the hydrometer in the wash carefully. This should nearly be fully submerged, and read around 0.990. If it isn’t, repeat the process every few days. (If after 3-4 days, the reading has not changed, then this is an indication that the wash may have finished fermentation). Once fermentation has finished, stir the wash vigorously, to remove all the gas. You may now add the Turbo Clear. Stir Part A in well to the wash, and leave for 1 hour. After 1 hour, gently stir the wash, and add Part B. Leave for a minimum 24 hours before starting the Distillation process.    

 

Distillation

Open the top cover of the Air Still. Pour 4 litres of the wash, into the Air Still (there is a small line). Add ceramic Boil Enhancers, to the Air still, as well as a capful of Distillers Conditioner (This is to aid in a ‘smooth’ Boil). Place the lid back on, and plug the fan lead into the socket, then attach the power cable. The fan should start spinning. Place a 1 litre collection container underneath (preferably glass to avoid any ‘off’ flavours).

 

This will take approximately 1 litre to heat up. Once it does, Alcohol should start to drip into the collection container. Allow the Air Still to keep running, until you collect 700mls of Alcohol. This should be around 55-60% ABV. Turn the Air still off, and place the alcohol into a glass demijohn. If you collect any further alcohol, quality will be reduced. Allow the unit to cool (@20minutes), before removing the top cover, to avoid being burnt by any steam or liquid. Once cool, discard the remaining wash from the Air Still (but retain the ceramic boil enhancers).

You may now repeat the distillation process, until all of the clean wash has been used. This may be done during the course of a whole day, or over the course of a week. Wash the inside of the Air Still with Hot water, and allow to dry.

Discard the last of the wash from the fermenter, and clean the unit with hot water and brewer detergent. Rinse, so it is ready for next time.

 

Filtration

Check the distilled alcohol (once it has cooled) with the alcoholmeter. Water it down to @ 45% (usually 250-300mls of water for every 700mls of alcohol. Place this alcohol into a 10 to 15 litre water container, and attach the filter to the tap. Refer to the instructions that came with the filter. Turn the tap on slowly and allow the alcohol to drip through slowly. Each carbon cartridge (or batch of carbon) is good for only 1 batch of alcohol. Check the alcohol with the Alcoholmeter, and adjust to 38-40% if required. Once the alcohol has been collected from the filter, it should now be safe to drink. Add the appropriate amount of Essence and enjoy.

 

Notes

Please note that the Triple Distilled Yeast is highly recommended. Use of any other yeast, will require the removal of at least 50-70mls of alcohol (Methanol) at the beginning of each distillation, thus having less yield.

Higher alcohol results can be achieved by purchasing a more expensive unit such as the Tubo 500, or Copper Ultra Still.

Filtering the Alcohol twice will help provide a cleaner alcohol.