StillSmart

Are they good ? i'm thinking about getting one

Well, I can't say about the essencia one, but I have a Still Spirits Z filter, like the one shown here.....

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xALQFyQ4kIY

The bigger question is so you need to filter?

Mashy wrote:The bigger question is so you need to filter?

Debatable. But I routinely filter my neutral/vodka so IMO, yes it's a necessary element of production.......

I bought the still spirits EZ inline jobby. Very good. But either my tastes changed or my mashes got better and I find I don't need it.

Depends a lot on your still but even with my 50lt boiler and hybrid still I filter her Vodka and if I want a totally neutral spirit. Definitely the best filter available but I'm planning an all stainless version to be built this Summer (if we get one ) Currently trying to locate a couple of suitable stainless steel pressure cookers to act as top reservoir vessel and lower collector.

When I have definite plans I"ll post under "Build Your Own"

AidanMac

i'm running a T 500 and i atm using Lentil washes but personally i like the Birdwatchers wash better. I think it just works better with the hard water we have even though i make sure the PH is 5.2. Anyway i get reasonable results and now with what Mashy has said i'm questioning if i need to filter hmm i know there is a few on this forum that dont questions questions

With larger stills and more experience, expertise grows and some find the need for filtering diminishes. In the early stages there's nothing wrong with filtering. You get a cleaner product while you're learning this delightful and ever surprising art.

You'll find that the people who 'never' filter have a developed expertise that means they do not need to filter their product.

A level of skill we all aspire to

AidanMac

AidanMac wrote:You'll find that the people who 'never' filter have a developed expertise that means they do not need to filter their product.

AidanMac

i think that says everything BUY the filter!
cheers
Jag

My Essencia is one of my favourite bits of kit, sure it can work wonders for spirit that needs filtering, however in my opinion even a very clean unfiltered neutral will still benefit from going through it.

The biggest noticeable difference from what goes in to what comes out is the smell, the spirit in the top can have quite a pungent smell, and what comes out smells clean (vodka like)

This is down to the ceramic filter that only the Essencia filter seems to have.

I cannot speak for people running refracting type stills,but I am convinced that for anyone running any type of pot still,an Esencia,or an equivalent,will help produce a better neutral spirit.
If that is what you are seeking.


Robert.

Good point .....
so many things affect the choice to filter or not.
* Wash recipe
* yeast
* still type
* experience
* What you want to end up with.


I certainly know what about the smell - but that too disappears in better washes. Certainly the wwww wheat wash.

I am not flying the flag for not filtering. But I do like to keep things simple and if another step can be elimated all the better.