Filtering yes i know its frowned apon

[Aussiedownunder01]

Don't shoot me I know its frowned apon but I have an order to build a large carbon filter question
Copper [easy]
Stainless steel [harder ]
Will copper be ok or must I go stainless

[dogbreath vodka]

Copper would be great.... just got to look at the costs involved

Don't forget to post a photo... :handgestures-thumbupleft:

Working copper is fun and I like to see what others are making.

DBV

[Kimbo]

Mate, Its not frowned upon :handgestures-thumbupleft:
Either one will be ok, S/S is easier to keep shiny, ;-)

[MacStill]

I built an SS one in about 3 minutes :teasing-neener:

20131009_131447.jpg

Reckon it would hold around 12 litres :D

[8-ball]

Where would a good place be to get carbon from or is it a hbs only buy

[1 2many]

I built an SS one in about 3 minutes :teasing-neener:

20131009_131447.jpg

Reckon it would hold around 12 litres :D

You can even put an S bend in if you want. :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

Best Macano set i ever got. :D

[MacStill]

I built an SS one in about 3 minutes :teasing-neener:

20131009_131447.jpg

Reckon it would hold around 12 litres :D

You can even put an S bend in if you want. :laughing-rolling: :laughing-rolling:

Best Macano set i ever got. :D

That would've made it take 5 minutes to build 8-}

[Aussiedownunder01]

Thanks mack that's the go as far as carbon goes the bloke I know bought a 60 kg bag from the hbs

[Sam.]

Thanks mack that's the go as far as carbon goes the bloke I know bought a 60 kg bag from the hbs

Did he tell you what he paid for it? :think:

[FireKitty]

Let me know as I'm interested too, local HBS charges for activated carbon are through the roof, have been tempted to use the Aqua1 pet shop stuff to be honest! :P

[SBB]

Don't shoot me I know its frowned apon

I dont think its really frowned apon, Its more a case that most serious distillers who try hard enough, in the end get their washes, cuts and other procedures good enough.that they don't need to filter. Having said that , not everybody has the time , patience or the still to produce true neutral. Im sure filtering can help those who don't have all of the above.

[crow]

It's not frowned upon as such. You can make a good drink better with it by at a hefty cost and some due diligence would give you a comparable product, what is frowned on is instructions on how to polish a turd using it :handgestures-thumbupleft:

[the Doctor]

I do not know where the misconception that using activated carbon is wrong or that it is in-effective came from. The reality is that until one is experienced enough to know how to cut with some measure of precision, Activated carbon can help to eliminate some of the smeared congeners in even the cleanest wash. Also if you are being told it is expensive you are not getting good advice. Buy the most expensive and best quality carbon you can buy...as it will last a lifetime... Here at the distillery we wash and regenerate our carbon weekly, firstly by boiling in a stock pot of water for 1 and 1/2 hours then by spreading on a baking tray and baking in an oven at 250 degrees for up to 2 hours. The resulting carbon is rendered as good as new...I can think of no cheaper or more effective way for a distiller to ensure neutrality from smeared congeners. Use carbon with pride, as it is used by some of the best Vodka makers in the world.
Doc

[Aussiedownunder01]

Thanks Dock

[Aussiedownunder01]

Thanks mack that's the go as far as carbon goes the bloke I know bought a 60 kg bag from the hbs

Did he tell you what he paid for it? :think:

yes $380.00

[CH3CH2OH]

Good response Doc

Filtering is not necessarily bad at all, in fact sometimes it is required by law!!!!

The regulations in Canada REQUIRE that distillers filter through charcoal in order to call their finished product vodka.

Here is their regulations from the Food and Drugs Act in respect for vodka

B.02.080. [S]. Vodka shall be a potable alcoholic beverage obtained by the treatment of grain spirit or potato spirit with charcoal so as to render the product without distinctive character, aroma or taste.

[Petulance]

Thanks Doc for telling us that the pros use carbon filtering too!

I've only used it once, and the resulting product was completely devoid of any taste or smell. Not a particularly nice drink by itself, but I guess it was "neutral".

It's interesting that you say your distillery reactivates and reuses it's carbon ... the little man at the HBS says that can't be done! Mind you, that might simply be "assuring a future market".

So tell us, what kind of carbon do you use? The granulated or the small rod shaped pellets? Can you give us a brand that might suit the amateurs? Is the fish tank stuff OK to use, or should we stick to the stuff flogged by the HBS at scalpers' prices?

[1 2many]

This where i got mine from have know idea if it is cheap or not but will give it ago.
http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/270994794635 ... 1439.l2649

[the Doctor]

Thanks Doc for telling us that the pros use carbon filtering too!

I've only used it once, and the resulting product was completely devoid of any taste or smell. Not a particularly nice drink by itself, but I guess it was "neutral".

It's interesting that you say your distillery reactivates and reuses it's carbon ... the little man at the HBS says that can't be done! Mind you, that might simply be "assuring a future market".

So tell us, what kind of carbon do you use? The granulated or the small rod shaped pellets? Can you give us a brand that might suit the amateurs? Is the fish tank stuff OK to use, or should we stick to the stuff flogged by the HBS at scalpers' prices?

Mate I use coconut granular carbon ...and the guy at the HBS is full of the proverbial...you certainly can regenerate carbon...I bet the guy at the HBS says you can make whiskey with little bottles of cordial...and all you have to do is throw away the first 50ml that come out of your still and drink the rest... Yep I would trust the guy at the HBS...some are good don't get me wrong...but some are simply dangerous, especially with the advice they hand out to new distillers.

Better you ask on the forums, if anyone slings you BS they get put in their place quick smart. The method for regenerating is somewhere in this thread from memory, it is really easy and effective. And you will never have to buy another bag of carbon.


You said that the product you put through the filter was neutral...that is what you are doing it for. Neutral is what I use as a carriage for other flavours. For example I am working on a new part A and Part B cocktail mix which turns into a lemon sorbet foam when combined...it is light...I mean, way light. The sorbet part b needs to be able to last in an open bottle without refrigeration, thus we use the center cut neutral for it. Also if you like a dry vodka martini it is the absolute best on a centre cut neutral. So it is horses for courses. Making brown spirits out of neutral is not the best idea, if it is flavour you are seeking.

Cheers
Doc

[1 2many]

When you say granular carbon what size are the granules :-B is it a bit like black sand :-B