What Precautions Should The Distillers Take While Producing Alcoholic Beverages?

Distillers

Alcoholic beverages are produced by the process of distillation of fermented mash. The fermented mash can be from grains or fruits or other sources of sugar. Once fermented the mixture contains water, ethanol and congeners.

The principle used in the distillation process is that different liquids have different boiling points. When the mixture is heated the lower-boiling point congeners will boil off first followed by ethanol (alcohol) and finally the higher-boiling point congeners. The ethanol is boiled and the vapours are condensed to get pure alcohol.

The distillation unit consists of a still, a condenser and a receiver. The liquid mixture is poured into the still and heated, the condenser is used to condense the vapours and the receive is used to collect the condensed vapours.

The most common type of distillation used by the distillers is by heating the still and causing the vapours of alcohol to ascend. The still is a vessel that is usually made of Copper tinned and is important in the distillation process.

Preventive measures to take while distilling alcohol

The most common accident that happens during the distillation process is when the ingredients are lost.

Most accidents are caused by the fire used to heat the still. The fire can cause a great amount of heat and cause the ingredients to burn at the bottom of the still. This ruins the liquid mixture and the taste.

If the fire is too violent then it will cause the vapours to rise and fall ignited into the recipient. The alcohol may dissipate.

If the fire is too strong then the bottom of the still will become red hot and the ingredients may get inflamed. The fire may reach the receiver.

These accidents can be avoided if you know how to handle fire whether wood, coal or fuel. The nature of wood and coal can determine the type of fire. Usually, the hardest wood makes the quickest fire. They should be used based on the effect which has to be produced.

The best way to avoid accidents is to ask the operator to keep an eye on the still. When the still begins to heat and the liquid mixture starts to boil violently then the fire must be lessened. This can be done by reducing the fuel or covering the fire with ashes or sand.

If still not fixed firmly then it will fall off and the liquid mixture will be lost. If the joints of the still are not properly sealed then the alcohol may escape from the apertures and reach the fire. Accidents can be avoided if the joints are properly sealed.

The joint between the still and the condenser should be properly sealed so that the vapours do not pass through.