Essencia Carbon Filter

[Chubbs]

Thanks for the advice again.

My new Essencia filter has just turned up. Checked it out and the first thing I found was how big the filters were, there huge.

Won't be able to use it for a while as its not birthday time yet but it was a good idea to get it as they are now sold out.

Going to make a load more neutral before I try anything else as I still haven't got it 100% right yet. Plus, I thought it would be easier in the long run to bulk filter instead of doing it in small amounts.

Cheers

[Easydrinker]

A bit of an update to this topic.
I am sure that most here have found a way to recharge the lower carbon filter by now.
The ceramic one is meant to be good for an awful lot longer.

Today I poured some spirit into the top of my Essencia,and discovered that the ceramic filter dome had fallen off it's plastic base, the glue had simply failed, and all the carbon had spilled out.
A small metal mesh disc in the narrow aperture had rusted away....

I should have taken pictures, but I didn't think to.

But my next surprise was the thickness of the ceramic dome, I thought it would be paper thin, it is around 1cm thick.

Anyway I gave it a good scrub, allowed lots of water to percolate from the inside to the outside.
Dried it.
Re-filled with carbon, replaced the corroded disc with a small piece of SS scrubbie, and glued it back together with some HA6 sealant.
It currently sits inverted in a jug of water, purging itself of air.

I am sure the manufacturer might say that I have used the wrong carbon, but hey, I think this might be a result.

Robert.

Edit. I have just spent a chunk of time re-reading this topic from the start.Comments on brown staining (rust?,from the metal mesh?- The top of my Carbon filter has brown stains) appear about page 3, and on page 11 beerbeermorebeer gives the only other mention of the ceramic filter glue failing.
I know, I need to get out more!

[Mash]

Won't be able to use it for a while as its not birthday time yet but it was a good idea to get it as they are now sold out.

Cheers

Just love the irony.
Got to observe my birthday date before I can make "a load" of illegal spirit.

Nothing malicious just made me laugh.

[Easydrinker]

Just to say that it is now doing what it is supposed to.
A triumph for frugality and common sense.

Robert.

[Termite]

After some advice

I've not used my filter for a while, but unfortunately left it with water in . . .don't ask!

Anyway - it was pretty covered inside with black mould, which i'm cleaning up. But unfortunately the ceramic filter has black mould marks on it. Is this a case of replace and learn - or will sterilising it kill the bad bits and it will be fine to use?

On the good news front - I've ordered some replacement carbon and I've been able to get the top off the bottom carbon filter which did save a few pennies

[Easydrinker]

This is my best advice on this.
I own one of these,and have some practical experience.
Take it or leave it.

I would scrub the ceramic filter.
Then put it in a jug and pour on boiling water.
Boil the kettle again, empty jug and refill.
Several times.
This would certainly remove any danger of contamination.
This may cause the ceramic dome to part company with the plastic base.
Rejoice.
Refill with new carbon,reglue, and start again.

HTH

Robert.

[Termite]

Thanks - will give that a go.

Now to check how the still has survived during storage! Probably need to empty and clean out the copper etc.

[m314]

I'm trying my new Essencia filter tonight. It's taking forever, but the lentil vodka from the first batch is significantly improved after filtering. Now it's a smooth but grainy vodka. I'll try my wheat germ batch next, the best "neutral" I've managed to create so far.

I have a few gallons of rice vodka I'd like to run through this. I'm worried about ruining the filter. Does a strong tasting spirit use up the filter faster than something with less taste? I decided to ferment and distill black rice for some reason. It came out awful after 2 distillations. Filtering it through a Britta pitcher twice, it's still awful. Black rice is evil and should not be fermented in general.

[Seagull]

Never even heard of black rice!!

What kind of still are you using? I'm interested in how the flavour is carried through so strongly?

[m314]

I'm using a T500 with the copper reflux column. I also got the copper pot still attachment. With my rice vodka, I do stripping runs with the pot still and then a spirit run with the reflux column.

I made a few batches this way with Calrose white rice and sugar. The "Uncle Remus rice vokda" recipe. I decided to try a big batch with black rice from the Asian market. This rice seemed delicious at first, but I can't stand it anymore after cooking so many pounds of it and distilling it. Just opening the bottle, the fragrance is overwhelming.

[m314]

I'll probably just save the black rice batch for an emergency. If I absolutely have to get drunk and there's nothing else left.

The lentil vodka is taking hours, but it's coming out really nice. I'll start filtering the wheat germ batch tomorrow. The wheat germ vodka is already smooth with a mild grainy flavor. It's the closest thing to a premium vodka that I've made so far. It should be even better after filtering.

[Seagull]

I have the same set up as you, copper column plus alembic copper attachments.

Only just got the pot head attachments so yet to use it.

Hearing about your experiences with different flavours and stuff is very inspiring. Must try different washes. So far I've only done turbo washes.

So much to try out and so much to learn but no bloody time!!

Redundancy is looming though so will have plenty of time.

And with the redundancy payment, that My-Still still on another thread is EXTREMELY tempting!!

[m314]

The alembic still attachment is great for flavored spirits like rum. I'm working on the 3rd generation of Buccaneer Bob's rum tonight, the recipe where you save the dunder from the last batch to start the next one. Twice through the pot still, aged with oak chips, it's the most flavorful and full bodied rum I've ever tried.

Deathwish wheat germ is also awesome with the pot still. I ran 32 gallons of wash through the pot still twice and got 17 quarts. I saved a couple jars with oak chips and a couple without, then ran the rest through the reflux column for vodka. The flavor turned out so well from the pot still. I started another 32 gallon batch a couple weeks ago specifically to save as twice distilled "whiskey". It's done fermenting; I just haven't gotten to it yet. 3 more rum runs and I'll get to it.

I'm thinking about trying some all grain whiskeys next. No sugar, just the grain with enzymes and yeast. Also gin. I want to redistill some of this filtered vodka with herbs to make my first batch of gin.

How long have you been distilling? I just got into this hobby about 6 months ago.

[Easydrinker]

I'll probably just save the black rice batch for an emergency. If I absolutely have to get drunk and there's nothing else left.

The lentil vodka is taking hours, but it's coming out really nice. I'll start filtering the wheat germ batch tomorrow. The wheat germ vodka is already smooth with a mild grainy flavor. It's the closest thing to a premium vodka that I've made so far. It should be even better after filtering.

I do love that sort of sentiment
And I am loving your insane and jumpy focus.
Welcome to a site that is a home to folk like yourself!
I am not sure that there are many rules here,but can I suggest that if we all strive not piss each other off, then we don't need them?

Robert

[Mash]

Is this a case of replace and learn - or will sterilising it kill the bad bits and it will be fine to use?

High proof alcohol is a steriliser. Wash thoroughly replace the carbon like Robert suggested. Bingo.