Bubbling: what it is, how it works and its advantages

Bubbling - the process of passing gas or vapor bubbles through a liquid for the purpose of purification. In moonshine production, it is used to extract fusel oils from alcoholic vapors and flavor the product.

Purification is carried out using a device called a bubbler

The unit consists of:

1. From the receiving tank with water. This can be a conventional glass jar or a stainless steel vessel.

2. Lids with 2 tubes. Steam enters through the inlet, and leaves through the outlet after rinsing.

3. Connecting devices (fittings, gaskets, seals, etc.). д.).

How the bubbler works

Alcohol vapors enter through the intake tube and pass through pressurized water. At the boundary between vapor and liquid, metabolic processes are activated. As a result, the heavy fusel oils (approx. 20%) remain in the water and the light purified vapors rise through the outlet tube. Then they go to the refrigerator, where they condense and turn into liquid. Several bubblers can be used, which are interconnected (usually from 2 to 6).

Advantages of using a bubbler

Thanks to better purification, you can refuse secondary distillation (but not for all brews and subject to the mandatory separation of "heads" and "tails"), thereby saving time.

Such purification is "greener" than the use of chemicals after distillation. The alcohol is stronger and has a richer bouquet, without a specific taste and pungent odor.

Bubbling can also be used to flavor the drink during distillation. To do this, citrus peel, spices, and herbs are added to the water through which the alcohol vapors pass.

Update: 06.06.2020

Category: Vodka an Moonshine