Anyone had experience of Essencia Water Filter

by **Ellie-Claire** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 4:26 pm

I\'m looking for a good and simple filter to stock for 40-60%abv spirit. I sell the SmartStill with the proper teabag type filter but would like any feedback on filtering the final spirit. I have had several of my customers who have made their own using activated carbon and (usually) copper pipe and while that may work well I need a ready made system to sell.

I find the SmartStill set up works well for me but this whole distilling thing is moving forward so quickly that I don\'t want to be left behind and some customers are suggesting that they would like a cleaner tasting finished spirit. I have to say that at the moment I don\'t sell reflux stills so I only want to tweek the SmartStill spirit. Reflux stills are on my radar and will stock them one day soon....(just need to find a good supply).

Any info would be gratefully received, thank you.

Ellie.

by **foRUM warrior** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 6:31 pm

do you mean like the one in This thread?

by **Jimmy** » Mon Jun 14, 2010 9:04 pm

Hi Ellie,
Personally I wouldn\'t want to buy a filter that contains plastic - I don\'t believe that it is sensible to have high percentage alcohol in contact with plastic for extended periods of time, preferably not at all. That\'s why I\'ve been looking at the Fuselex ones mentioned in another thread - Craig has left contact details on there if you\'re looking for a supplier.
Hope this helps!

by **marc83** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:20 am

I use the Essencia filter,and its easy as,no fuss.Pour it in the top,draw it off as it collects in the bottom.I only filter 40%abv spirit,but before i changed the carbon filter threw in a few litres olf stinky 50%abv(had stank odours-alcotec48)and bloody hell,came out clean as a whistle!!Using this for aging so wanted a slightly higbher %.I personally wouldnt go higher than 50% in this filter though.My spirit spends as little time as possible in the storage below,once it has collected in in the bottom,it is drawn off.Just gotta change the carbon filter after 45L of 40%abv(recomended),and the ceramic filter after some 50 batches.

by **Ellie-Claire** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 2:28 am

Thank you Mr Warrior for the link, how did i miss that...did I mention I was blonde! Its very helpful and does show the filter to work very well. I don\'t buy off the wholesaler selling them and the local shop I buy some stuff off will only stock Still Spirits products for distilling. So I will have to go and ask if I can buy direct.
I do share your viewabout plastic Jimmy (nice site BTW - [Ellie grovels]) I have a source for the Fuselex so that is a definate possibility. It does look complicated to connect up but maybe I could try one myself and see if I can devise a standard fixing kit to go with it. Does entail messy carbon though, but messy carbon is relatively cheap. I worry when I sell an expensive piece of kit that when there are a lot of them out there the cost of the consumables will rocket.
And thanks too Marc for your comments, very helpful. I will have to have a think....

by **Opus 27** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 3:16 am

Hi Ellie-Claire

I started the post on the Essencia Filter and have now put about 50 litres through the carbon cartridge. Your initial post quotes filtering 40-60%. It is never reccomended to filter more than 50% through any carbon filter so bare that in mind. As for the concern with plastic components, there are no end of things to consider not least of which is the types of plastics in use, not all plastics give the same problems with plastcisers. Some may consider it niave but I have taken the view that the manufacturers have considered this factor. Further more if we took everything literally we wouldn\'t be drinking alcohol anyway. And finaly, the filter works and is so clean and simple to use I would reccomend.

Opus 27

by **marc83** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 12:54 pm

Fully agree with you opus!

Oh and btw opus,have you replaced your carbon filter yet?i have put through 45L of 40%,then i had 5L of some smelly 50% that i thought oh what the hell i will chuck it in before i replace the filter,it came out nice and clean,I put the same 5L back through AGAIN,because why not,haha.So 55L in total,and thats including 10L of 50%abv.

Bloody great piece of kit!Will trow a new carbon filter at it before i filter any more,dont wanna push my luck.

by **Opus 27** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:00 pm

Marc

50 L through first cartridge. I have replacement ready but may try another 5L first.

I think the quality of spirit also makes a difference. I distill at 92% and cut to 40% with RO Water so there probably isn\'t a lot of crap in there to start.
Opus

by **marc83** » Tue Jun 15, 2010 1:18 pm

You can go on the smell of the spirit once its comes out from the filter too before you need to replace,cant remember where i heard that,but it seems feasible.

I normally only dilute to 40%abv but wanted to age some at a higher % for at least a year,so decided to throw it through the filter,because it was time to replace anyway,wouldnt hurt,and it didnt,went great.

by **Jimmy** » Fri Jun 18, 2010 6:32 pm

Ellie - there are two of the Fuselex ones, the smaller version which is available in this country does have the ribbed connectors and I haven\'t worked out a way to connect it easily without using plastic tubing which would defeat the point. The other one I mentioned in the Fuselex thread is the bigger one which seems a better idea, and there aren\'t any UK suppliers that I can see.

by **Ellie-Claire** » Sun Jun 20, 2010 10:52 pm

Thanks Jimmy, I can get the Fuselex one and the UK supplier might be able to get the bigger ones. Spose I had better try it out first so I\'ll order one this week.

I really like the sound of the Essentia one, despite it being plastic and would have had some but my supplier of Still Spirits products doesn\'t deal with the wholesaler who keeps Essentia.