Contents
Important! All proportions are correct at a temperature of mixed liquids of 20 °C. If you measure the concentration of alcohol with an alcoholometer (hydrometer), you should know that when the temperature changes, its readings change.
Correction of alcoholometer (hydrometer) readings
The calculator is intended only for alcohol meters with a calibration of 20 °C.
To obtain current values, it is necessary to measure the temperature of the distillate and enter the hydrometer readings. Also, the calculator has errors, the “further” the temperature value of the measured distillate is from 20 ° C, the higher the error.
What water to use to dilute alcohol
Needless to say, water should be drinkable, clean and clear, all of these are obvious and simple rules that underlie quality alcohol.
The main indicator of water is hardness. Hardness is the amount of calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg) in water. It is measured in mg-eq / l. For dilution, it is necessary to use water with the lowest hardness, in other words, soft water. Otherwise, the solution will become cloudy and lose its taste.
According to the publication “Technology of alcohol and alcoholic beverage production” (M. “Food Industry”, 1973), water with a hardness of less than 1 mg-eq / l for natural water and less than 0,36 mg- equiv/l for softened water.
Briefly about water sources
Tap water
The worst option. The hardness of such water can reach 7 mg-eq/l. In addition, it contains chlorine, which has its own pronounced smell.
Spring water
Often recommended water for various types of alcohol. In fact, not everything is so simple. As a rule, spring water is very tasty, but without a special analysis it is impossible to determine its chemical properties. In addition, its performance can vary greatly from time of year, heavy rains or drought.
Purchased bottled water
The chemical composition and hardness of the water are written on purchased bottles, so we just have to choose the water that is suitable for our purposes. Ideal for any type of alcohol.
Distilled water
Purified water, practically free of impurities and foreign inclusions. Obtained by distillation in special apparatus – distillers.
Such water is absolutely tasteless and cannot be used in alcohols where the taste of water plays a key role, such as vodka. At the same time, distilled water is suitable for various tinctures, liqueurs, in general, wherever the taste is determined primarily by the ingredients included in it.
How to measure water hardness
Most accurate method
Submit it to the laboratory for analysis. For example, in the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station. SES will check not only the concentration of hardness salts, but also fix nitrates, pesticides, iron levels, hydrogen sulfide, organic impurities and other substances that are often found in groundwater.
The fastest method
Use water hardness test strips. They are sold in a pet store or in a store with coffee machines, sometimes in branded household appliances stores. Such a test will show approximate stiffness.
A reagent is applied to the paper, which changes color upon contact with water.
The strip falls into the water for a while, and the intensity of its color will change depending on the concentration of the substance in the water. Quality test strips are usually foreign-made.
The main disadvantage of this method is its low accuracy.
Interpreting the test result can be difficult. You will first have to determine the intensity of the color by eye, comparing it with the “palette” of possible results. And then the numerical values uXNUMXbuXNUMXbof stiffness indicated on the palette are translated from European degrees to Russian.
Technology of mixing alcohol and water
In various literature, and on many sites they write that it is right to pour alcohol into water. Say, it is necessary to pour a heavier liquid (water density 1 g / ml) into a lighter one (alcohol density 0,8 g / l), so they mix faster, and the chemical reaction proceeds correctly.
But at the same time, the reverse situation often occurs. And in some literature they also give a technology by which water is added to alcohol.
For example, in the book “Technological instructions for alcoholic beverage production”, 1971. on page 65 it says:
“The calculated amount of alcohol is poured through the measuring tank into the prepared sorting vat, then water”
In the reference book “Recipes for alcoholic beverages”, 1981 edition, on page 9, the following is stated about the preparation of vodka:
“Water is added to the blend and the volume of the blending vat specified by the measuring glass is adjusted”
It turns out that both mixing options are correct, the main thing is to adhere to the following rules:
Alcohol and water must be cooled before mixing. Alcohol can be put in the freezer, and water in the refrigerator.
You can pour both alcohol into water, and vice versa, the main thing is to pour in as quickly as possible and immediately mix well.
Alcohol diluted with water is called sorting. Freshly prepared sorting is not suitable for consumption. She needs some time to complete all the ongoing chemical reactions. Therefore, before using it, you need to defend at least a couple of days, and preferably a week. Close the bottle tightly with a cork and hide in the refrigerator or cellar.
Relevance: 31.01.2021
Tags: moonshiner calculators