StillSmart

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2017-07-12T22:59:02+00:00

I have recently, last week, re-loaded both filters.
The product coming through is Fantastic!
I have previously broken and bodge fixed the tap.
This time I discoverered that I had broken the screw thread on the lower filter.
I managed yet another bodge with a Stainless Self Tapping screw.
HDPE being one of the worst plastics to glue.
When my bodges fail I will simply buy a new unit.
I rate this item so highly that I would not choose to be without it.
Essencia pay me no peanuts for promoting their products.

Robert

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Wed Jul 12, 2017 10:59 pm

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2017-03-15T09:13:59+00:00

Thanks Easy.

I think I will take the plunge.

Just as soon as I've used up my Airstill filters.

Hell, Ill put it all through again when I get it.

Smooooooooooth........

Statistics: Posted by Duffer26 — Wed Mar 15, 2017 9:13 am

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2017-03-15T00:25:24+00:00

What can I tell you?
I have owned an Essencia for a few years.
Sometimes it is busy, many litres a week,
sometimes it sits empty, (well, let's call it equilibrium), not quite empty, for weeks.
Sometimes I change or recharge the filters in slack times.
There is no need to re-run anything after it sitting through a period of inactivity through this filter.
I understand your concerns, if cash is tight ATM.
I will say that if you wish to Carbon filter, this is probably your best option.

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Wed Mar 15, 2017 12:25 am

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2017-03-14T08:48:56+00:00

I understand all this. I once cooked a pizza with the cellophane still on. It didn't taste great but I survived.

Collecting and filtering in plastic for short periods is fine in my opinion,
but is it not widely considered a poor substitute for glass as long term storage?

It could be a month or more between distillations for me, therefore the filters would be sitting there in alcohol the whole time. Is this ok? I guess I'd just pass it through again.

I'm sorry for being finicky but 80 quid is a lot of money I don't have.

Cheers.

Statistics: Posted by Duffer26 — Tue Mar 14, 2017 8:48 am

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2017-03-14T01:40:19+00:00

The actual "container" part is HDPE, generally considered safe for alcohol up to 45%, the maximum recommended % to filter alcohol, for carbon efficiency.
The lid I believe is PET, and considered to be generally unsuitable.
Some folk replace with a metal saucepan lid, often found in a charity shop for pennies.

Without wishing to re-ignite the whole plastic/alcohol issue can I simply state.
The reason for not combining the two, is that "plasticiser" from the manufacturing process may leach from the plastic into the alcohol.
Force feeding plasticiser to laboratory animals leads to bad stuff.
There is a finite amount of plasticiser in any plastic article.
Therefore, there is only so much that can come out from a re-used plastic item.
I would not choose to drink plasticiser, and I am not saying that you will be safe from plasticiser if you use an Essencia.
Equally you may wish to consider all the other plastics in contact with your daily food and liquid intake.

And make up your own mind about what is safe, and what is reasonable.

Just sayin',

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Tue Mar 14, 2017 1:40 am

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2017-03-13T22:56:35+00:00

while we're on this subject ....

Isn't this made of plastic and plastic is considered bad?

Statistics: Posted by Curmudgeon — Mon Mar 13, 2017 10:56 pm

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2017-03-13T14:50:49+00:00

I understand that you keep the filters covered with alcohol between runs.

How long are you happy for it sitting there in plastic?

Do you take off the 1st 500ml and put it back through?

Is this really still the one to buy?

Statistics: Posted by Duffer26 — Mon Mar 13, 2017 2:50 pm

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2016-11-16T21:06:52+00:00

That's it then scalpel at the ready.
Nurse whats all that red stuff.

Statistics: Posted by gaza the instructor — Wed Nov 16, 2016 9:06 pm

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2016-11-16T20:39:32+00:00

I can report it's working fine, just like new again

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Wed Nov 16, 2016 8:39 pm

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2016-11-16T07:37:21+00:00

Thanks for the tips Anavrin, am due a
change in mine. Have ordered a new one
will operate on the old one.

Statistics: Posted by gaza the instructor — Wed Nov 16, 2016 7:37 am

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2016-11-16T06:59:43+00:00

Your probably right Robert

I was a little worried because I only used a tiny bit of sealant compared to the original amount, I used just enough to make a complete, all around seal.

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Wed Nov 16, 2016 6:59 am

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2016-11-16T00:30:38+00:00

I suspect that the sealants we may use are better than OEM.
It is when we attempt to go again that we may find problems..

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Wed Nov 16, 2016 12:30 am

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2016-11-15T21:04:20+00:00

I've purged it today with water and now filled it with neutral, it wasn't going through fast so I'm assuming the silicone seal I made is good with no leaks.

The true test will be in the tasting, the last thing to go through it was Rum, so if my neutral is clean tasting I'll know it's been successful.

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Tue Nov 15, 2016 9:04 pm

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2016-11-14T23:20:37+00:00

Cheers Robert, at least there's proof it can be done now, even using Still Spirits expensive Z carbon, £4.60 is less than 1/10th of the cost of replacing the two filters

The Still Spirits carbon is also quite course, not the best quality in my opinion, the Alcotec 0.4-0.85mm version is much better in my option, and it's about £7-£8 for 1.7litre bag.

Statistics: Posted by Anavrin — Mon Nov 14, 2016 11:20 pm

Re: Refilling the Essencia Ceramic Filter

2016-11-14T21:42:30+00:00

Nice one Anavrin.
Thanks for taking more time to share than I did.
I am going to make this a sticky

Robert.

Statistics: Posted by Easydrinker — Mon Nov 14, 2016 9:42 pm