G40: FLAVOURFUL SPIRIT DISTILLATION

Pot still distillation is suitable for the distillation of Rum, Bourbon, Whiskey, Gin, Port, Sherry, and many other spirits where the flavours in the wash are desired in the final spirit.

To distill on the G40 Brewing System, you’ll be using the Grainfather Distilling Lid, T500 Alembic Condenser, Attachment Kit, and a few more pieces of equipment you may already have in your brew house. Be sure to gather all equipment and ingredients to make the wash in advance.

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STEPS

1. Prepare the G40 for Pot Distilling

Attach the recirculation elbow seal TO ENSURE NO VAPOUR LOSS

Use an adjustable spanner (wrench) to remove the hex bolt inside the boiler.
Keep the hex bolt and retention clip in place.
Take one of the flat seals supplied with the distilling lid and place this on the threaded section protruding from the boiler. The seal should be between the outside boiler wall and the external recirculation pipe connection.
Re-tighten the hex bolt. Ensure it is tight enough to seal but do not over-tighten.

Fill the G40

Ensure the hop filter is in place.
Add Wash – Max volume 35L (9.2 US Gal).
Add 10 ceramic boil chips to the bottom of the unit.
Add distilling conditioner/antifoaming agent to the wash (follow the instructions on the bottle).

2. Assemble the Distilling Lid, T500 Alembic Condenser, and Attachment Kit

Distilling Lid

Place the distilling lid (with the clamp removed) onto the top of the unit. It should sit firmly in place.
Fit the clamp around the lid and the rim of the unit. Fasten the clamp by connecting the two ends and closing the lever. Tighten the clamp if needed by adjusting the lever screw when the lever is open.

Attachment Kit

Refer to diagram below.

Place the 4″ tri-clamp seal (6) onto the flange of the distilling lid and place the alembic helmet (5) on top of the unit, ensuring the seal remains in place.
Secure the alembic helmet to the lid using the 4” tri-clamp (7).
Place the condenser silicone O-ring (1) inside the T500 Alembic Condenser threaded nut.
Thread in the 2” to 1/2” (48mm) DN40 thread adapter (2) to the bottom of the T500 Alembic Condenser.
Place the 2” tri-clamp seal (3) onto the 2” tri-clamp flange on the alembic helmet. Place the T500 Alembic Condenser on top of the unit. The seal should remain in place. Secure the T500 Alembic Condenser to the alembic helmet using the 2” tri-clamp (4).
Thread in the 2” to 1/2” (48mm) DN40 thread adapter (2) to the bottom of the T500 Alembic Condenser.
Place the 2” tri-clamp seal (3) onto the 2” tri-clamp flange on the alembic helmet. Place the T500 Alembic Condenser on top of the unit, ensuring the seal remains. Secure the T500 Alembic Condenser to the alembic helmet using the 2” tri-clamp (4).

3. Setting up the T500 Alembic Condenser

Thermometer

Insert the thermometer probe into the hole at the top of the condenser.

Water Cooling Tubes

Refer to diagram below.

Attach the tubing for the water cooling of the condenser.
The thin tube is for the outlet water and connects near the top of the condenser arm and takes the water back to the sink.
The thicker tube connects to the water inlet near the tip of the condenser arm, with the other end connecting to the tap. Attach the distillate out tube to the end of the condenser.
Do not allow the tube to submerge in the distillate. Otherwise, the boiler may implode. You should see drops of distillate falling into your collecting vessel.
Briefly turn on the cooling water supply to ensure there are no leaks in the system.
Check again that the water goes in at the end where the distillate comes out and that the water comes out closest to the top of the lyne arm (near the thermometer probe).

4. Using the T500 Alembic Condenser

Stripping Run

Turn the G40 on and press set on the controller to go to the menu. Select the voltage control mode and use the up and down arrows to set the unit to 100% power.
Place a jug under the distillate-out tube. The jug should be greater than the calculation below

(Wash volume in (L) * wash ABV) + (Wash volume in (L) * 0.07) = minimum volume of alcohol collection vessel

Monitor Temperature

Once the temperature at the top of the condenser reaches 43°C (109.4° F), turn the water on, adjusting the flow to 2.5L (85.5 US fl oz) per minute.
Spirit will start to drip into the spirit collection vessel when the temperature at the top of the condenser reaches 50°-55°C (122-149° F).
When the volume reaches (Wash volume in (L) * wash ABV = x Litres), take samples to check the ABV. When the ABV of the distillate reaches 30%, stop the distillation by turning off the G40. Check that the distillate hose is not submerged before switching off the unit.

Clean Up

Ensure the white distillate-out tube is not submerged in the distillate.
Turn off the G40 and disconnect the power outlet.
Turn off the cooling water supply.
Allow the depleted wash to cool to a safe temperature before emptying.
Remove the condenser and distilling lid assembly and rinse the G40 of all wash and debris. Be careful to retain the ceramic boil enhancers for the next distillation run.
Run water through the condenser to rinse.

Spirit Run

Add the spirit collected from the stripping run to the G40. Dilute with water until the ABV is less than 40%. Record the volume.
Add boil chips and distilling conditioner/antifoaming agent (follow the instructions on the bottle).
Set up the condenser the same way as the stripping run.
Turn on the G40. Press set on the controller to go to the menu setting. Select the voltage control mode and use the arrows to set the unit at 100% power.
Place a jug under the distillate out tube. The jug should be greater than the calculation below:

(Wash volume in (L) * wash ABV) + (Wash volume in (L) * 0.07) = minimum volume of alcohol collection vessel

Foreshots and Heads Collection

Once the temperature at the top of the condenser reaches 43°C (109.4° F), turn on the water. Adjust the flow to 2.5L (0.66 US Gal) per min. Reduce the power on the controller by selecting elect voltage control mode. Use the arrows to set it to 60% power.
Spirit will start to drip into the spirit collection vessel when the temperature at the top of the condenser reaches 50°-55°C (122-149°F). Collect and discard the first 100ml (3.4 US fl oz).

TIP: USE A PARROT HEAD

Use a Parrot Head to collect the spirit in 100ml (3.4 US fl oz) increments. Keep the increments separate until the ABV of the spirit reaches 65% ABV. You may also collect the spirit manually.

Hearts

From this point forward, collect the spirit in a vessel. Periodically test the ABV until the distillate reads 40% ABV. Once a 40% ABV reading is achieved, the hearts collection step is complete.

Finish Distillation

Collect the remaining spirit in 100ml (3.4 US fl oz) increments until the ABV of the distillate reaches between 35-30% ABV. At this point, the distillation is finished.

Clean up

Ensure the white distillate-out tube is not submerged in the distillate.
Turn off the G40. Disconnect the power outlet.
Turn off the cooling water supply.
Allow the depleted wash to cool to a safe temperature before emptying.
Remove the condenser and distilling lid and rinse the G40. Remove all wash and debris. Retain the ceramic boil enhancers for the next distillation run.
Run water through the T500 Alembic Condenser to rinse.
For a more thorough clean, you may wish to rinse it with a 50:50 water to vinegar solution.

Legal Considerations

Distilling at home is legal in New Zealand. Check the laws in your country or state before you get started.