I have been reading older posts about using oil for anti-foam and wondering if I am planning using a pot still for whiskey what type of oil and what amounts work best. I am trying to get a cost per bottle and this is an added expense that needs to be considered.
Thanks
Seth
Reply:
Seth,
Without a doubt, oil would work as anti-foam, but it may cause unacceptable fouling issues. It would be best to use additives that are specifically designed for the task in a food production environment. They are non-fouling natural compounds that have proven effective for many years. Two such examples are Birko Anti-Foam 100 and Fermcap. The prior is less expensive to use due to the lower dosage required.
Eric Watson
AlBevCon
Reply:
Seth,
Without a doubt, oil would work as anti-foam, but it may cause unacceptable fouling issues. It would be best to use additives that are specifically designed for the task in a food production environment. They are non-fouling natural compounds that have proven effective for many years. Two such examples are Birko Anti-Foam 100 and Fermcap. The prior is less expensive to use due to the lower dosage required.
Eric Watson
AlBevCon
Reply:
I used plain vegetable oil (cooking oil) in my 60 gallon direct flame heated pot still. Worked just fine. Only used a cup or so.
Reply:
I have been reading older posts about using oil for anti-foam and wondering if I am planning using a pot still for whiskey what type of oil and what amounts work best. I am trying to get a cost per bottle and this is an added expense that needs to be considered.
Thanks
Seth
Reply:
I would strongly reccomend against using a vegetable oil. It will crack in the still in the presence of all that heat, low pH and alcohol, potentially producing all sorts of interesting by products. A hydrolised vegetable oil theoretically could esterise into some nasty compounds.
Most of the anti-foaming agents are synthetic silicone oils, which are stable ate these temperatures and pH. In the olden days (showing my age here) we used to use good old, hard cake soap (not detergent). The soap will break the surface tension on the foam. Just a 1/4 teaspoon in the wash will do. try and get an all natural, no fragrence laundry or hand soap. You know the stuff your mums washed the stains out of your shorts with. In Australia it would be Sunlight soap.
