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Fores lower abv than heads

PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 3:40 am
by B-Man
Running my packed 4" bubbler.
Hold on full reflux for 5 or so minutes and run fores out slowly.
Then run faster for my heads yet the heads have a higher abv???

Doesn't matter what wash I have run it all does the same.
Any ideas?

Re: Fores lower abv than heads

PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 9:35 am
by Wellsy
I have only started using my bubbler to take spirit straight from wash mate, I always used to do the strip runs, taking big fores cuts, and then spirit through the bubbler. I have found that I struggle to hold in full reflux and a very small amount always comes off, just drips nothing of volume. I have checked my cooling pump ect. Always the same so now I am guess it is simply that the initial fores come off at much lower temps. Once the fores are taken everything settles down nicely.
One day I will do a low wines run to test my theory but until then I will live in happy ignorance lol

Re: Fores lower abv than heads

PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 11:36 am
by bluc
Mine always drops from fores too tails. Bit baffled as to why fores would be lower abv then heads :wtf:

Re: Fores lower abv than heads

PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 1:21 pm
by chipboy
Because they not the same alcohols and your measuring device is tuned to Ethanol, not acetone etc. My last batch had a very strong hit of acetone and other things as it came up, and yes they do require careful use and tuning to operate as desired.

Re: Fores lower abv than heads

PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 3:43 pm
by Yonder
Fairly common while running my traditional pot still. Different fractionals. I almost always begin about 78 then move up to the low 80’s and hold while “the good stuff” runs, dropping rapidly in the tailes. :ugeek:

Re: Fores lower abv than heads

PostPosted: Sun Jun 19, 2022 10:36 pm
by B-Man
Wellsy wrote: I have found that I struggle to hold in full reflux and a very small amount always comes off

I have no issues holding a full reflux and nothing coming out.

When I let it out slowly the first 330ml is always a lower abv than the next 330ml bottle.
mainly running wine and TFFV

bluc wrote:Mine always drops from fores too tails. Bit baffled as to why fores would be lower abv then heads

yes if im running it as a reflux it drops from heads to tails not by much though until I notice tails and pump them out but as noted the fores can be up to 5%abv (average is 3%) lower than the first heads bottle. (this is temp corrected)
If running like a pot still or pretty fast it drops each bottle.

Yonder wrote:Fairly common while running my traditional pot still. Different fractionals. I almost always begin about 78 then move up to the low 80’s

Running my other pot still my fores are higher than the heads jar.