Getting the smartstill filter to work properly

[phlogiston]

I know most of you have ditched the Smartstill collector/filter, the one that uses the compressed carbon filter, but this may be useful for anyone still using it.
My experience is that the spirit goes through too quickly or too slowly. The problem is with the two foam washers that are meant to seal the top and bottom of the filter. They are too thin and it's difficult to get a good seal. If this happens, the spirit bypasses the filter and goes through too quickly. If you get a good seal, the hole in the washer is too small to let the spirit into the filter and it runs too slowly.
My solution: get some much thicker closed cell polythene foam, 6-8mm. You can get this in huge rolls, enough for about a thousand years of filtering, or cut it from packaging (make sure it's polythene, not PVC or polystyrene foam). Cut washers from this (about 35mm diameter). Punch holes in the centre: a small hole in the bottom one, smaller than the central spindle (the washer will stretch). The hole in the top washer needs to be bigger, so there is a clear space between the spindle and the washer to let the spirit into the filter.
Assemble the filter, screwing up as tightly as you can. You'll probably here popping as the foam compresses, but keep tightening. It should now work as intended.
Personally, I'm not sure I can be bothered with this every time, and I'm probably going to try something else.

[bluecap]

Hi I don’t use really use the smart still now but when I did I found the best way to filter was to cut a old Schweppes bottle, stuff a carbon bag in its neck(after cleaning the carbon bag in boiling water) and run the spirit through that way

[phlogiston]

Thanks blue. I have a hunch that the teabag worked better than these compressed cartridges. Maybe the best way to use the cartridges is to crush them and stick them in a funnel with some filter paper, wich kind of defeats the purpose.

[Phantom]

Thanks blue. I have a hunch that the teabag worked better than these compressed cartridges. Maybe the best way to use the cartridges is to crush them and stick them in a funnel with some filter paper, which kind of defeats the purpose.

Yes, it might do, but it doesn\'t stop "them" charging fortunes for what can be made/bought for less......
If you google for Gert Strands Carbon filtration ebook, he explains a hell of a lot including how to build your own filter system (that works the same as the SS Z filter - but is straight tube not an S/Z shape). It\'s free and worth the effort getting a copy......
regards
P