Carbon filter alternatives?

[lakeslad]

Hi All,

i have a good wash going through my airstill, while i will dilute some down to 40%abv i also fancy making a nice 50%abv whisky based drink, the carbon filter that comes with the airstill i seem to see on here is not really up to much,
So what are my alternatives and will it work at 50%?
any info appreciated, and id just like to add what a great source of info this site is, i really would be lost with out it

cheers

Lee.

[chill]

The Essencia (http://www.homebrewmegastore.co.uk/shop ... ilter.html) filter is what is the most recommended. The little in-the-spout filter that comes with the airstill is only good for filtering distilled water. I make do with a chemically resistant plastic funnel with the neck jammed tight with cotton wool (the Essencia is not sold locally).

I prefer a higher ABV drink and I regularly filter at around 50-55% ABV. I have not noticed it to be any less effective, in practical terms.

For whiskey (and rum etc etc) I wait until the carbon is nearly exhausted (not producing a clean neutral anymore) and then use it to filter the flavoured spirits. It takes out what I don't desire but still leaves good flavour. You have to be careful though - if you get a bit too anxious and use carbon that has a bit of life left, your whiskey taste will be gone.

Chuck

[YHB]

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1131

This is one of my favourite threads on filters, negligble cost and works well.

[chill]

I have a couple of concerns about that. One is that 10 minutes is not enough contact time, IMO. You need a filter that slows down the output to drip...drip....drip. My funnel and cotton wool achieve that, no reason it could not work with wine bottle.

Second is that he seems to be using the carbon straight out of the bag without rinsing and boiling it to activate it. Gert Strand's book http://homedistiller.org/activated_book1.pdf has the process that I follow.

Chuck

[YHB]

I have only tried carbon filtering once, and used the wine bottle with carbon from the HBS. It was already activated and did not need boiling.

I drilled a hole a wine cork and put a piece of 6 mm copper pipe in it, then hammered the copper pipe flat until the sprits came out at a slow drip.

I tried putting the spirits through the filter a second time but could not tell the difference.

I have read Gert Strand's book several times and I enjoy it, but do not like his "plastic" pipe filter. Wine bottles are 100% safe, "plastic" can be debated for a very long time.

[chill]

It sounds like you made a good filter with a restricted output. I agree with the plastic pipe being not a good material. I am not sure what carbon you got. What I get, from Brewhaus in the US I think, greatly benefits from a thorough washing and boiling. I usually filter everything twice, though that is more out of habit and superstition than noticing any discernible different. I do notice that the first 2-3L are much cleaner and more neutral than the following ones. I save those as sipping "vodka".

Chuck

[lakeslad]

you all seem to have lost me on this, i am using the external carbon block filter that is now supplied with the airstill, not the plastic pipe or plastic filter attached to the airstill (they stopped using this method) i have in the past used the pipe and activated charcol for my alcotec wash`s but thats for around 20+ liters here im talking about a liter at a time.

[chill]

I have no idea what that is, can you post a picture for us?

Cheers!
Chuck

[Jolly John]

Maybe I'm missing something, but why do you need a carbon filter? Been 'stillin for 12 years, making corn whiskey, vodka, gin and cachaca etc....never needed to filter.

[chill]

That is because you use a Boka not an AirStill (run-away pot still).

[YHB]

you all seem to have lost me on this, i am using the external carbon block filter that is now supplied with the airstill, not the plastic pipe or plastic filter attached to the airstill (they stopped using this method) i have in the past used the pipe and activated charcol for my alcotec wash`s but thats for around 20+ liters here im talking about a liter at a time.

Lakeslad,

When I used the wine bottle method, I only ran a couple of litres through it. I cannot think of a reason why it could not be scaled down for even smaller runs, you may just need to use more restriction to slow the flow and increase the retention time.

Using a smaller amount of carbon and a longer retention time will mean that the carbon will need activating / replacing more frequently.

[Jolly John]

That is because you use a Boka not an AirStill (run-away pot still).

Ahh...point taken! Sorry.

[lakeslad]

you all seem to have lost me on this, i am using the external carbon block filter that is now supplied with the airstill, not the plastic pipe or plastic filter attached to the airstill (they stopped using this method) i have in the past used the pipe and activated charcol for my alcotec wash`s but thats for around 20+ liters here im talking about a liter at a time.

Lakeslad,

When I used the wine bottle method, I only ran a couple of litres through it. I cannot think of a reason why it could not be scaled down for even smaller runs, you may just need to use more restriction to slow the flow and increase the retention time.

Using a smaller amount of carbon and a longer retention time will mean that the carbon will need activating / replacing more frequently.

many thanks ill give the bottle method a try,i have run about 5 liters through the carbon filter and as its my first use of the air still im not sure what is or is not a good taste, i do know i have hell of a hangover the next day but i am only running through once, i need to read up more in this forum about stripping runs etc, the thing is i just want quantity im not too fussed with quality : lol