We also settle to clarify. It's surprising the amount of ash and much that settles out. Flavor seems cleaner, ferments more stable, and not as much sludge carried into the still for stripping. May matter less when the bain marie still is used, but right now we are direct heat with electric elements, and less to possibly scorch is better. We rack off in the settling tanks using racking canes now, but may entertain dropping out the bottom once we get to using settling vessels with a bottom outlet/cone.