StillSmart

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2014-02-13T19:04:47+00:00

I had the same dilemma when I was building up my equipment and I used to dread thinking about how much I'd actually spent over the past few years. Then I realised that each and every litre bottle of Vodka and Bourbon I make saves me almost 30 Euros That's one hell of a saving.

Last week I bottled 12 litres of Vodka for herself - that's 360 Euros from one batch - who's laughing now

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Thu Feb 13, 2014 7:04 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2014-02-13T15:01:56+00:00

Reading you load and clear AM, I hope to use mine this weekend so it's good to know that when the time comes I can refill and keep the cost down, I'm spending far to much at the moment.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Thu Feb 13, 2014 3:01 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2014-02-13T09:44:40+00:00

A replacement carbon filter for the Essencia costs around £22 while a bag of Alcotec Pure Karbon (the correct size carbon) costs around £6.50 and provides approx 5 refills for the carbon cartridge. No brainer as the yanks say

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Thu Feb 13, 2014 9:44 am

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2014-02-12T20:22:37+00:00

Having just bought one of these I'm happy this thread has been bumped, I can see myself having a go at refilling mine.

Statistics: Posted by Icefever — Wed Feb 12, 2014 8:22 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2014-02-12T19:22:32+00:00

I tried to fill my new Essencia filter today, and yes they are now gluing in the spider as Mozr said. Just turn it upside down and give it a couple of hard bangs onto a solid surface and it comes out.Its way over priced for what it is.

Statistics: Posted by Luckyshot — Wed Feb 12, 2014 7:22 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2013-07-22T10:58:26+00:00

I think the carbon inside the ceramic filter is not as important as it is the ceramic material in the dome that does the initial filtering.

I believe that in the initial part of the filtering cycle the permeable dome effectively filters undesirable elements from the alcohol but in doing so, over time, the ceramic medium becomes clogged and I don't know if it is possible to clean and recover the ceramic for further use. I'm fairly certain that replacing the carbon inside the ceramic dome will have little effect.

To be effective in filtering alcohol you need a carbon in the size range of 0.4mm - 0.85mm so a 1.4mm will not be effective and you can't simply grind it to the correct size.

Almost all HBS that carry distilling supplies will have the correct size carbon available or you can get in online. The one I use is Alcotec Pure Karbon.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:58 am

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2013-07-22T10:00:51+00:00

It's a complicated business with lots of variables including what it is made of, how many pores each granule has and how big the pores are.

Most people use this book by Gert Strand as reference, it gives you some good tips and tells you how to make a filter but if you follow the instructions please use Stainless or Copper pipe not plastic.

http://www.gobookee.net/get_book.php?u= ... FsY29ob2w=

Here is a link to a thread on this forum that re-purposes a used wine bottle as a filter, cost? Not a lot.

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1131&p=9212&hilit=wine+bottle+carbon+filter#p9212

Statistics: Posted by YHB — Mon Jul 22, 2013 10:00 am

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2013-07-22T09:31:01+00:00

This a great thread to look at, I am looking at refilling my ceramic filter with activated carbon and I can't work out whether both the ceramic filter and carbon filter use the same cabin, I think the carbon filter is slightly finer granules. Got some 1.4mm stuff arriving for that and if its to big will crush it down in size. Hopefully this does the trick. Any thoughts in regards to essentially the ceramic and carbon filter having the same type of carbon to how come we gave to replace one more thsn the other? Big granules last longer maybe but not as thorough in a flow system? Help please

Statistics: Posted by Kiwibrewer — Mon Jul 22, 2013 9:31 am

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2013-06-26T18:44:32+00:00

Unless they've changed the design the carbon cartridge should look like this..

...and you can see how the spider is removed.

When you say "he pulled it off..." who are you talking about

Post a pic of what you have and we might be able to give you better feedback

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Wed Jun 26, 2013 6:44 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2013-06-26T17:34:13+00:00

i have just got a t500 and a essencia filter but my carbon filter does not have top spider bit on it as he pulled it off and not there now is it ok

Statistics: Posted by tazuk — Wed Jun 26, 2013 5:34 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2013-05-13T23:28:58+00:00

Sorry v4mpy I wasn't paying attention and only just realised that the one I use is actually the 0.4-0.85mm. I got an ebook on activated carbon filtering and it said this is supposed to be the best size carbon particle to use with ethanol.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Mon May 13, 2013 11:28 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2013-05-13T21:08:40+00:00

Thanks aiden, it's just my local hbs has the 0.4 - 1.4 mm partical for £6.95. online the. 0.4 - 0.85 seems to be about £9-10 including p&p.unless you know where I can get it cheaper?

Statistics: Posted by v4mpy — Mon May 13, 2013 9:08 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2013-05-13T20:19:57+00:00

If you check out my post of 07 Sep 2012 on this page you'll see that exactly what I use to refill mine It works a treat and only a fraction of the cost

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Mon May 13, 2013 8:19 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2013-05-13T19:24:10+00:00

Is it ok to use the Alcotec Pure Karbon 0.4 - 1.4mm to refill the Essencia?

Statistics: Posted by v4mpy — Mon May 13, 2013 7:24 pm

Re: Re-filling Essencia

2012-12-29T16:26:54+00:00

You could also use some Copper or stainless steel mesh cut to size with a scissors.

AM

Statistics: Posted by Almanac — Sat Dec 29, 2012 4:26 pm