Air Still distillation breakdown

[Normski]

That is looking like a very interesting Idea. Im gonna give that a try.

[shawry99]

Ok, looking at this, it seems quite time intensive, and the response that its a much higher quality is a reasonable position to take.

However my question is that the person who I borrowed it off basically just did the method SS recommend with the still, and it produces (with the flavour essences) an enjoyable drink.

Is the difference in time to do this really worth it?

[Normski]

Oh yeah It makes a big difference. Try it yourself once and you wont go back to the nasty smelly stuff. Honest, try it once massive improvement.
Norm

[chill]

Norm is dead on. I would NEVER go back to the "recommended" way. I even do real rum, bourbon, etc (NO essences) in the air still. With a good quality wash (none of this turbo shite), you can get an excellent product.


Chuck

[Almanac]

Fantasy: The manufacturers recommendations are designed to convince beginners that the process is almost instantaneous in terms of alcoholic gratification. Yes, it will produce an alcoholic liquid of reasonably high strength which, if you're just trying to blow your mind, will get you pissed quickly and to hell with the taste or the next day's hangover & trots.

Reality: You can indeed produce clean palatable spirits from an Airstill - I still use mine - provided you double distill and filter properly. (no carbon tea-bags or other mickey-mouse filters)

Anyone who says different has been drinking too much stripped wash out of their Airstill.

In over two years using an Airstill, double distilling and filtering through my Essencia filter system I've never had a hangover or any other bad side effects.

Be safe out there - when using an Airstill double distill and filter - always! then enjoy the fruits of your labours. After all, isn't that what it's all about?

AM
(I still talk bullshit and sing a lot after a good few jars - nothing new there!! )

[chill]

I always double distill but I only filter if I am aiming for a neutral base for other flavourings. Rum, bourbon, whiskey etc, I don't filter. I am pretty careful in my cuts as I dislike hangovers and am not greedy. I don't get a headache from them. Some of them have become known as "Chuck's Crazy Juice" by the neighbours for the drunken antics that often ensue followed by feeling normal in the morning.

Chuck

[Admiral Toad]

Still think a slow fermented vodka star yeast is pretty good

[danmiz]

hi all! im dan and new to this forum and the world of distilling. ive been lurking for about a month trying to find as much info on my easy still and the process of distilling as i could before my first run. mozr this article was a life saver to help me stumble through my first run. thanks!!! my question is that my easy still has a carbon filter attachment on it so should i filter my stripping runs through the filter while its running or only spirit runs need to be filtered. thanks in advance!

[Almanac]

Unfortunately there's no helpful answer to that question because the 'filter' that comes with the Air/Easy still is about as much use as a chocolate fireguard.

However, you should only filter your finished spirit and make sure you dilute it before putting it through any Carbon.

We've all faced the filtering problem in our time and we all find a solution that suits our situation and our pockets. One thing is certain, the Air/Easy still is a great little starter still, I still use mine today, but it is a very basic, entry level, pot still and as such the product from it does need to be filtered.

I put 4lt of a 50lt VS wash through the Air/Easy Still and 40lt through my 50lt Pot and the difference between the stripped wash was huge. The stripped distillate from the big pot was very clean smelling and a sample from the middle of the run was, with dilution, of drinkable quality. This was not the case with any part of the strip from the Air/Easy still.

There are many possible filter solutions out there that will meet your needs and make your spirits clean. My preference in the Essencia Filter - but that's just me.

AM

[danmiz]

Thanks for quick reply. My es also came with a 2 foot PVC pipe, o-ring (not sure of name) coffee type filter and a bag of carbon. I imagine that is some sort if extra filter system. How would I use that Thingy since the carbo tea bag things are very good?

[Almanac]

I would be very wary of using any kind of plastics with high strength spirits. Having said that I suppose we have to have a certain amount of trust in distilling suppliers.

Have a look at the Essencia Filter here http://www.creativewinemaking.co.uk/spi ... t_146.html, or the EZ Filter and the Z Filter systems here http://www.wineworks.co.uk/department/s ... equipment/.

AM

[chill]

I recommend reading Gert Strand's book(let) on Carbon filtering.

In a nutshell, prepare the carbon, attach the filters to one end with the clamp thingy, fill it up with carbon and pour in your alcohol. It may come out grey. If so, jam some cotton wool in the neck of a funnel and let it drip though that.

Chuck

[danmiz]

Thanks guys for the info. I will the book on filtering and go from there. I finishing my stripping run tonight so hopefully 2morrow I'll know if I screwed it up. Before I find the answer in the book how would I prepare the carbon?

[chill]

Boil it and drain it several times, rinsing also helps. Then let it soak overnight.

Chuck

[Almanac]

...and when you've done all that faffing about with the black shit that seems to get into absolutely everything... you'll know why many of us who've been there have opted to spend the money on the Essencia filter or the EZ system.

Self contained, clean, effective - and we're worth it

AM