Uploaded August 2024 | Updated September 2026, 5 days ago
I used a graph of the boiling point of ethanol and water mixtures as a function of ethanol concentration to determine what temperature I should set my air still to for a spirit run based on the ABV of the low wines in the still. And the calculation worked really well for me! So I decided to convert this graph from units of mole fraction and kelvin to units that are more distiller friendly: ABV and celcius/fahrenheit!
Please note, I'm not saying that every single still will start producing spirit once you set the pot temp to the boiling point of your liquid. If you have a very crude still with minimal reflux, like an air still, then it probably will match up beautifully (like it did for me). But if you're still has any significant reflux (like a long neck), it will most likely need to be set hotter in order to provide enough energy for those vapors to get over to the condenser. These boiling point values are good starting points though! And if you don't monitor the temp of your pot, don't worry! It's not necessary for distilling!
*Original graph:* researchgate.net/publication/259470569_First_Steps_into_Physics_in_the_Winery
*Graph and table on Patreon:* patreon.com/posts/what-temperature-109823237?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Support on Patreon: patreon.com/thisblogsneat
Read the blog: thisblogsneat.com
Get NEAT merch: thisblogsneat.com/shop-merch
Get featured bottles: thisblogsneat.com/bottle-library
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Follow on Instagram: @ThisBlogsNEAT
I used a graph of the boiling point of ethanol and water mixtures as a function of ethanol concentration to determine what temperature I should set my air still to for a spirit run based on the ABV of the low wines in the still. And the calculation worked really well for me! So I decided to convert this graph from units of mole fraction and kelvin to units that are more distiller friendly: ABV and celcius/fahrenheit!
Please note, I'm not saying that every single still will start producing spirit once you set the pot temp to the boiling point of your liquid. If you have a very crude still with minimal reflux, like an air still, then it probably will match up beautifully (like it did for me). But if you're still has any significant reflux (like a long neck), it will most likely need to be set hotter in order to provide enough energy for those vapors to get over to the condenser. These boiling point values are good starting points though! And if you don't monitor the temp of your pot, don't worry! It's not necessary for distilling!
*Original graph:* researchgate.net/publication/259470569_First_Steps_into_Physics_in_the_Winery
*Graph and table on Patreon:* patreon.com/posts/what-temperature-109823237?utm_medium=clipboard_copy&utm_source=copyLink&utm_campaign=postshare_creator&utm_content=join_link
Support on Patreon: patreon.com/thisblogsneat
Read the blog: thisblogsneat.com
Get NEAT merch: thisblogsneat.com/shop-merch
Get featured bottles: thisblogsneat.com/bottle-library
Shop my Amazon storefront: amazon.com/shop/fitness_robyn
Follow on Instagram: @ThisBlogsNEAT
