Filtering with activated carbon granules or fish/pond filter

[fredytee]

iv been thinking about filtering with activated carbon granules instead of the essencia as i find 25L for 20 odd quid too dear, i used my last cartridge for ages tho and when i replaced it the difference was huge so i definitely need the carbon filter...

Anybody any thoughts or advice on the following?

activated carbon granules - how do you use them effectively?, what kind do you use?

fishtank or pond carbon filters - how do you use them effectively?, what kind do you use?

cost and output - how much cheaper than using an essencia are the above methods? ie how many ltrs cleaned effectively per pack of carbon or fishtank filter.

im using a t-500 but im not big on the careful cuts etc so for me i need the filtering.

any input, links, advice, whatever would be much appreciated!

Cheers

[Admiral Toad]

There's posts on here where we found a way to get the top off the carbon cartridge to replace with carbon from the local hB shop saving lots of dosh
I have heard that it's a lot harder to get the tops off on the current ones though

[Anavrin]

Yes I agree Admiral Toad, you can get the top off the carbon filter and re-fill it, here a link to some carbon to use

http://www.the-home-brew-shop.co.uk/aca ... TVopop4WnM

This bag is £8 and will refill the essencia carbon filter 3 times, if you have one of the newer carbon filters, say under 12month old, they have a lot more glue holding the top on, it takes a lot of upside down banging and prying but it can be removed with a little patience, don't worry too much if you wreck the top, I found the mesh filter out of an 8 cup Bodum coffee cafetière fits nicely where the old top lived, you just need to make the hole in the middle a little larger.

[fredytee]

well the one that i just replaced was a few years old i think.... so it shud be easier to open. i still have it anyway. must invest in some of this activated carbon! its not the powder stuff though is it??

[Mash]

You could experiment with washes that don't require carbon filtering?

[Almanac]

However, if using an Airstill there's little choice unless you're going to be happy with tiny hearts cuts from each 4lt run

The Gert Strand book on carbon filtering recommends using carbon with a granule size between 0.4 to 0.85 which can sometimes be hard to get but available here http://www.homebrewwest.ie/alcotec-pure ... 1170-p.asp and they have a place in mainland UK too but they'll send it anyway and it works out much cheaper for UK buyers because of the weak Euro.

Just realised that the last time I bought carbon was almost three years ago as my washes don't require filtering but I still filter the boss's vodka cause that's the way she likes it

AidanMac

[fredytee]

i just use vodka star turbo yeast with 6 kg sugar and a pack of turboklar if im in a hurry... i do like to run it all thru the essencia after double distilling in the t500.

anyway, thanks for all the input, gonna invest in a bag of alcotech carbon later

[Mash]

However, if using an Airstill there's little choice unless you're going to be happy with tiny hearts cuts from each 4lt run

That's why someone invented timers ☺

[Anavrin]

I know some people can produce a clean wash, and support the claim that the end resultant spirit doesn't need filtering, so here's a statement to think about!

All neutral, however it was made or how clean it is, will benefit from carbon filtering.

Light the touch paper and step away >:D

[Easydrinker]

I do admire a brave man!

However,as a pot stiller I have to agree.
I obviously want the flavour in a whisky or rum wash,but there is very little from a neutral hearts cut that I produce that I like to drink without carbon filtering,and even that would probably benefit from being treated.

Now,if I had a reflux still,I might invite you outside for a conversation about the fact that you are insinuating that the beastie of my dreams doesn't deliver the goods.

I await with interest some such person responding with either the fact that it does make no difference,or does make an improvement.
At the worst,it cannot make it worse.Can it?

Robert.

[Mash]

[color=#4000FF]

You don't need to filter if
1 you are using a low taste ferment or low heads ferment (which is what the link is about)
2 you are looking for a clean spirit with low taste.

You do need to filter if
1 you use turbos (and you will need a lot of filtering)
2 you are looking for a totally taste/flavour free product.

SP

+1 and a very good summary. I for one think the occasions you need completely neutral is quite rare.