Learn About Distillery Chilling Systems

As you can imagine, massive amounts of heat are generated during the distillation process. The remedy for this heat problem is to install distillery chilling systems in Eugene, OR. Keep reading this post to learn more about distillery chillers and to see which type of chiller is right for your distillery.

How it works

Distillery chillers work by pumping hot water through a heat exchanger that’s located inside of a cold-water skid. Once inside the heat exchanger, the water is chilled from glycol from the chiller unit. Hot water continuously circulates through the tank as the day goes on, ensuring that temperatures never get too high. This smooth cycle allows distilleries to operate all day long without ever taking a production break.

Smaller distilleries that don’t need to run 24/7 could utilize direct chilling as opposed to a system with a water tank and cold-water skid. Direct chilling provides the same benefits mentioned above, minus the ability to run without stopping.

What kind of chilling system is right for you?

Distillery chillers aren’t one-size-fits-all units. The size of your chiller needs to be right for the rest of your operation, or you could have a big problem on your hands. Installing a chiller that’s too small means it won’t be able to handle all of the heat. On the flip side, getting one that’s too big is equivalent to throwing money down the drain. Larger chillers are more expensive to install and have higher operating costs. Talk to our professionals at American Refrigeration Inc. about getting the right unit for your operation.

American Refrigeration Inc. is your go-to company!

There are several companies that can supply you with distillery chilling systems in Eugene, OR. However, there’s nobody better than American Refrigeration Inc. Here are a few reasons why local distillers choose us for all of their needs:

Whether your distillery operation is big or small, be sure to hire our team to install distillery chilling systems in Eugene, OR. Give us a call today to get a service estimate.

The Basics of Alcohol Storage and Blending Tanks

Taking a tour of a distillery can be a fun and educational experience, but it can also get quite confusing. There are so many different components involved in the distilling process that keeping it all straight can be frustrating. Two important apparatuses in the distilling process are the alcohol storage tanks and alcohol blending tanks. This post will give you an in-depth look at both alcohol storage and blending tanks in Eugene, OR.

What are storage tanks?

As the name suggests, storage tanks are single-wall units designed to store distilled spirits before any post-processing efforts like proofing, blending and bottling can take place. Storage tanks can also be used to store feints for any future distillation runs. All storage tanks should come with a volume indicator and scale, sampling port, vent pipe with a pressure release valve, CIP ball and piping and shadowless access ports. Storage tanks are vital for any distillery that’s looking to put out larger quantities of product.

What are blending tanks?

Blending tanks are also single-wall tanks, but instead of just holding the distilled spirits, blending tanks are used to mix the spirit and water for proofing, blending and hydroseparation. Blending tanks come with a motorized agitator, volume indicator and scale, sampling port, temperature gauge and CIP ball and piping. Without a blending tank, all of the alcohol from a distilling run would essentially have to be the same proof and have the same taste.

Sizing

Storage and blending tanks come in a variety of sizes for different operations. They start out at 500 liters and go all the way up to 10,000 liters or more. Before purchasing a tank, we recommend talking to our professionals at American Refrigeration Inc. We’ll help you get set up with the right-sized gear, so you don’t get caught overpaying for something you don’t need.

Call us for all your blending tank and storage tank needs!

When it comes to alcohol storage and blending tanks in Eugene, OR, we’re ready to be your one-stop shop. Here’s what we can offer you and your distillery:

The choice is clear if your distillery needs alcohol storage and blending tanks in Eugene, OR: come see our team at American Refrigeration Inc. We have the largest selection of distillery equipment for the most competitive prices in the area.

Tips for Starting Up a New Craft Distillery

More and more people and ownership groups across the country are following their dreams and starting up their own craft breweries and distilleries. It’s something of an industry revolution that’s seen major headway over the last decade or so. One might expect the bubble for the industry would be ready to burst by now, but in fact there continues to be large-scale demand for new and exciting craft alcohols.

If you’re preparing to start up a new craft distillery, it is important you’ve done plenty of planning so you’re prepared to hit the ground running and carve out your niche in what’s quickly become a highly competitive industry. This means planning for everything from the equipment you’ll use, such as refrigeration tanks, to the experience you want your customers in Eugene, OR to have.

Here are just a few quick tips for you to keep in mind as you prepare to start a new distilling operation.

Make sure your product is ready before you open up

It’s understandable to get excited and antsy about officially opening your business to the public and selling your liquor, but you must make sure you’ve perfected your product before you start selling it. Consider how much competition there is right now in the world of craft distilling. You only get one chance to make a great first impression, and if you rush your product to the market, then you run the risk of delivering a product that isn’t quite ready, and the public will react accordingly.

When you consider how long it can take for some types of liquor to properly age, this becomes even more important to emphasize. Let your product age properly before you open it up for drinking.

Try starting off with used equipment

One of the most exciting parts about beginning a new craft distillery is finding all the equipment you’ll be using for your operation. However, some of the equipment you’ll need can be extremely expensive if you purchase it new. Considering how tight finances are likely to be for you when you first get going, it’s important to find alternative sources for this equipment.

You can find used distilling equipment, but keep in mind that not all distilling equipment and refrigeration tanks are the same. You should consider what it was used for (and who was using it) before you purchase it, how long it’s been in use and how much usable life it realistically has left. But in general, used equipment is the best way to get your operation off the ground without setting you back too much financially.

Create your own experience

The best thing you can do to set your new distillery apart from the competition is to just be true to yourself and try to make an experience that reflects what you love about the business and the kinds of products you enjoy. Feel free to experiment, but also keep in mind that some of the old traditional standbys never hurt, either.

For more information about starting up a new distillery and getting the refrigeration tanks you need in Eugene, OR, reach out to American Refrigeration Inc. today.

What You Should Consider When Selecting a Still for Your Distillery

Whether you’re expanding your distillery or starting up a brand-new operation, you know just how important it is to have the right still in place for your work. Especially if you’re just getting your distillery off the ground, you’ll need to consider some important questions when determining what kind of still you’ll get.

With this in mind, here are some things to consider when ordering a new still or other distillery equipment in Eugene, OR:

For more information about the things you’ll need to consider when purchasing a new still for your distillery, we encourage you to reach out to American Refrigeration Inc. about our distillery equipment in Eugene, OR. We look forward to answering your questions.

What Are Winery Chillers, and Why Do I Need One?

Winery chillers play an important role in the winemaking process. They regulate the temperature of the wine as it goes through the production and fermentation process, ensuring consistency and quality. Although you can certainly make wine without them, any winemaking project on a commercial level will probably require a winery chiller to preserve your Eugene, OR winery’s considerable time and financial investment.

What winery chillers do

When wine is made, it needs to ferment—that’s when the yeast converts sugars into alcohol and other byproducts. The higher the temperature, the faster the yeast gets the job done. Faster isn’t always better, however, and a longer fermentation process can often lead to better wine. That’s where winery chillers come in. Because the fermentation process generates heat on its own, just sticking the wine in a dark, cool room is not going to do the trick. Winery chillers allow winemakers to control the temperature of each winemaking process, even when the processes cause it to fluctuate, so results are consistently amazing.

This is achieved by glycol—in fact, you may have heard winery chillers referred to as glycol chillers. Propylene glycol is an antifreeze agent that can chill products to very low temperatures without freezing. Most winemaking processes need to be kept between 20 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is why an antifreeze glycol chiller is ideal. Glycol can be chilled below 32 degrees Fahrenheit without freezing, allowing it to be pumped through the refrigeration tubes to maintain the desired temperature. This also provides extra lubrication for the chiller’s pumps.

Why you’ll love your winery chiller

In addition to guaranteeing fantastic, high-quality wine throughout the entire winemaking process, we think you’ll love your chiller for these reasons, too:

Winery chillers in Eugene, OR

Getting your own winery chiller is a sign you’re ready to take your winemaking business big time. When you invest in a glycol winery chiller in Eugene, OR, you need to guarantee the best product as well as honest and dependable installation and care. That’s where American Refrigeration Inc. comes in. We are Eugene’s top provider for commercial HVAC services, from installation to repair and maintenance. Call us today to find out what it will take to outfit your winery with the equipment it needs.