First Wash Virgin. Bubbling for the first time. XXX

[Jimmy]

Have to confess I haven't done it for a while as my other half has been on filtering duty of late - when I did it I think I put it into a pan and poured a hot kettle onto it, drained it (you'll see like an oil slick on the top, that's what to get rid of) and then rinse-repeat until it seems clear. Then chuck it in a funnel and run some more through, presumably a coffee filter can handle hot water as well as hot coffee!

Also don't forget that the carbon absorbs water and this is only displaced by pushing it out from the top. When you start, the carbon will be filled with water. As you add spirit, this will push the water out of the bottom into the collecting jar. As you finish, the carbon will still be filled with spirit. This is the same with any filter, not just the funnel method.

So, to keep your spirit at the starting strength, ideally you need to discard the first bit that comes out of the carbon, as it will be water. Then you need to put some more water in the top when you're done to push out the last bit of spirit but without letting the water get through into the collecting jar. Or you can just start with slightly stronger spirit and put up with the water diluting it a bit, after all it is filtered water! If you're going to be filtering more soon, it's OK to leave the spirit in and push it through with more spirit later, it should be fairly sterile if you keep it airtight.

[mozr]

80 notes for an Essencia is not a few pennies aidan!

Don't get me wrong, hints have been made, and I will have one on my kitchen worktop at some point this millennium.

But I love your logic regarding the ABV. Always thinking.

[Capt-Cudellez]

I think he meant pennies worth of alcohol- the filters are indeed pricy.
I always leave the spirit in the filter rather than pushing it out with water- you'll get it out the next time you use it.

I have never had the problems with smelly or brown filters - I would guess the 40% drink is excellent at keeping all sorts of nasties at bay.

Haven't used mine in a while though.

[bobnot]

I would just like to say thanks for a fantastic thread.
I just got my air still today and have just set off my first ever wash
Some of the information in this thread is invaluable and will no doubt help with my learning curve.
Thanks.