If you own a distillery, then you undoubtedly want to make a drink that is clean. This is what regular cleaning and sanitizing equipment does, right? Well, it plays a huge role in cleanliness, but you also need a distillery filtration system. Much like doing your research before purchasing commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, you’ll want to look into the features and statistics of several filtration systems, and even get a few price quotes first. Another thing to keep in mind is installation. Always hire an experienced professional, like American Refrigeration Inc., to properly place and install your distillery equipment.

When looking for distillery filtration equipment, you will quickly learn that you’ve got many options to choose from. This means that making a choice may not be as easy as you thought it would be—especially since you probably have factors to consider, such as the price, equipment maintenance needs and equipment productivity.

To help narrow down the options, we’ve put together a list of some of the things you should consider before installing a new distillery filtration system.

Know what you are distilling

Most spirits being made for commercial distribution will require filtration to taste their best. Temperature is very important in the filtration of spirits. Filtration at ambient temperature is enough for white spirits, while most brown spirits need to be filtered at low temperatures. Therefore, the right filtration method for you will depend on the specific spirit you are distilling:

• Gin: Because an already processed neutral spirit is used to produce gin, filtration typically occurs before gin production even begins. If producing your own neutral spirit for production, carbon filtering will make your gin clean.
• Tequila: Carbon filtration, also referred to as activated charcoal filtration, is commonly used in tequila production to remove impurities like esters and furfural. Distillation alone cannot lower the amount of these impurities to legal standards, which is why activated charcoal filtration is used for additional cleaning.
• Whiskey: If you are producing whiskey that is 46% ABV or less, the liquid will get cloudy when the whiskey cools on its own, through commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR or when ice or water is added. Use chill filtration to remove esters, proteins and fatty acids in the whiskey to prevent cloudiness from happening.

Types of filtration methods

The key to producing an excellent spirit is to ensure it is filtered properly. But what should the final filtered product look like? The product must be free of visible particles in the liquid and present a clear and bright appearance. Chill filtration and carbon filtration are the two major methods of distillery filtration:

• Chill filtration: This method is used mostly in the whisky making process to remove residue—brown spirits contain substances like proteins, essential oils, pectin and others.
• Activated charcoal filtration: This is a basic filtration method used to remove unwanted particles from all other kinds of spirits—the activated charcoal removes contaminants and impurities using chemical absorption.

If you need service for your distillery equipment or commercial refrigeration in Eugene, OR, look no further than American Refrigeration Inc. Call us today for more information!