Essencia Carbon Filter

[Almanac]

Get one of those squeegee things and round it all up again

AM

[Normski]

Can anyone who has previously used a DIY 1m 40mm tube full with activated carbon how does this Essencia compare. I really cant afford to spend £80 on something that cant pay its way. Really is it that good?
Im now getting nice clean smelling/tasting spirit with a DIY 1 metre 40mm pipe. It has an absolute tun of carbon and appears to work brilliantly. Im sure its easier but is it £80 better.

[Admiral Toad]

It is easier and more convenient but pricy.I'm refilling carbon cartridges to save dosh.It does have a primary ceramic filter not just carbon
must say I'm impressed by results

[mozr]

Yeah, normski.

It's not just carbon. The ceramic dome appears to be an integral part of the process.

And yes, it is that good (and I am a tight arse).

[Almanac]

Mozr's telling it like it is - and he's also right about the Essencia filter system too

Sorry Moz - couldn't resist that one!

AM

[Normski]

Thanks for the replies. Are you all comparing to a 1M 40mm tube type filter, or just the SS little thing or some other filter etc. Ta

[Almanac]

In my case I'm not comparing to anything. My obs and opinions are based of the very high quality of the output from the Essencia.

AM

[Admiral Toad]

It's loads better than the little cartridge one that come with the airstill and better and easier (eats humble pie) than the z filter which is similar to what you're doing with pipe I guess

[billmcc]

Norm can you post a pic of your filter a 1M 40mm tube type filter should work well enough. if its like this stick with it

http://www.brewerschoice.com.au/how-to/ ... arbon.html

[Admiral Toad]

Just looked at the link Bill left
That particular crew describes 2 types of carbon, granular (which we all know and love aclcotec) and pellets which they describe as looking like pencil leads and is supposedly more efficient.
If I'm not mistaken thats what is in the essencia cartridge
Anyone come across it in the UK ?

[Normski]

Norm can you post a pic of your filter a 1M 40mm tube type filter should work well enough. if its like this stick with it

http://www.brewerschoice.com.au/how-to/ ... arbon.html

Hi Bill
Yeah pretty much, I have been using a basic pipe with some carbon in it for a while, It does work. I recently found in my shed a 1M 40mm stainless steel pipe and thought I'll have a crack with that and see how it goes. I put muslin over the bottom and then also put a bung in the bottom with a small hole. I filled it with 700g of carbon, I flushed it through until clear. I put the pipe in a vise and pour spirit in the top. I catch the spirit from the bottom in a funnel with a coffee filter. I cant believe how clean smelling it is, Thats the only reason im asking if anyone else has tried this. If the essencia is £80 better than my tube then I'll have to have one, But has anyone actually tried a pipe with 700g of carbon because it does work incredibly well and is very cheap.

[billmcc]

Hi again the type thats shown in the link is the fuselex type and is meant to be really good i havent got the essencia so cant say wich is the best.by the way they also do a fuselex nano inline filter wich is similar to the z filter but made from stainless and has a flow controll valve.
Cheers

ps your set up will work better if after you have washed the new carbon through, wash again with a litre or so of boiling water then add your spirit at about 45 - 50 abv and dilute the spirit to 40 abv through the carbon so the carbon is left full of water

[Normski]

Hi Bill
Thanks for the tip about boiling water. Ta I'll give that a go.

I got the idea about a long 40mm pipe from the Gert Strands Activated Carbon Pdf.
I wasn’t trying to upset anyone who has already bought an Essensia filter, Just looking to see if anyone had tried the pipe before buying an Essencia. I’m sure the Essencia works fine, but so does the pipe.
Hopefully someone who has actually tried both will comment further.

Norm

[Almanac]

My original reasons for buying the Essencia were 1. recommendation of experienced users here and 2. I got sick and tired of faffing about with messy carbon that got everywhere and tainted everything it touched.

The idea of an highly efficient, self contained, carbon filter system was very appealing. I calculated the cost, including replacement filters and figured that the additional cost per litre of clean spirit was so small in the long term that it was worth it.

Refilling the Carbon Filter is a doddle - not messy at all and the ease of operation of the overall system makes filtering every finished batch very simple indeed.

I'm currently examining the possibility of constructing a slightly larger SS version and the only original part I plan to use is the Dome Filter - until I figure out how to make one of those too.

All suggestions welcome - except rude one's

AM

[Normski]

How much carbon is needed to refill an Essencia cartridge.