I have had mine for some time now and have noticed that just following the instructions not only reduces the ABV but also the quantity output. Here is what I have started to do; Set it up as directed, add the hot water(4 Litres in my case) and measure the amount that runs through, you will find that only 3.5 litres comes out. Now add the spirit, (6 Litres in my case at about 44% ABV) Note that the tube gets hot and the heat travels down the pipe as the liquid runs out of the filter. This output is water and is about 500ml. As the heat travels down the pipe it drives the water out and when it reaches the tap alcohol comes out at about 40%. keep the water separate and collect the alcohol as normal. After the run time I will have about 5.5 litres at 40%, return it to the filter and run again. Collect the output and remove it from the tap and now comes the magic, the 500ml of water that came out at the beginning you now put back into the filter, open the tap and collect 500ml of 30 to 35% ABV alcohol that you would have thrown away. I add mine to the main output with no adverse effects on ABV or quality. No all we need is a quick clean way to empty the tube...
Thank you for this comment. First try and ive only managed to get only 30% out of it. if it wasnt for you it would of been less. Shame on still spirits for not telling us how to use it correctly. Im going to add 50% alcohol next time.
I got one of these filters about a month ago and used it last week. They are terrific. There is actually a separate bracket supplied that can be screwed to a wall or door if you want it permanently fixed. I added an extra bracket (which I bought in a plumbing supply store) near the valve at the bottom just to make it a bit more stable (the tube is 40mm wide). I'd recommend the Filter Pro and would echo what Richard says about filtering at least twice. The improvement in flavour is incredible.
A big thanks from Australia. I've decided to start getting into stilling spirits as I've been making beer for quite some time now and want to branch out. I've so far watched your 5 part series for beginners and now this video. I'm so so glad I watched these videos before even buy one piece of equipment. You've saved me years of guesswork and pressure dollars. I now have a fantastic understanding on where to start and what to buy. Thanks a million!
If you are using the air still, and the small air still filter system, I found that the small carbon filter can continue cleaning the alcohol, so I put the SAME litre of vodka through the SAME carbon filter up to 5 times and it makes a lovely job. They say to only use 1 carbon filter per litre- that’s expensive. I couldn’t afford to buy new carbon cartridges once, so I put the same litre through multiple times and found I got great results. It’s up to you whether you try it or not, but now I always use every filter up to 5 times and get good results and save a lot of money on the filters. Try it!👍Brian.
Fantastic piece of kit! I begrudge not a penny of the continuing transfer of wealth from myself to Richard. One point, about the filter paper. I don't use it. If you put the filter paper in before you clean/activate the carbon with the hot water, it adds a lot of time for the water to run through. I did 8 litres at 42% and ran it through the same carbon twice. Amazingly clean taste. The filter paper does little except add a lot time to the process. At the worst, you will end up with product which has a faint (I think rather cool) hint of black. In actual fact, if you run enough water through the carbon, this doesn't happen. It is clear. But if you do want that final paper filtered look, get a coffee filter just for this (around £2 in supermarkets, you don't want to use a coffee filter you also use for coffee) and pour the product through normal filter papers. For 8 litres I'd use 3 or 4 filter papers. Same effect, saves hours of time.
Good advice. I still use the small carbon cartridge system- BUT I put the same litre of vodka through the same cartridge up to 5 times, and I find it gets better every time. I save a lot of money not using 1 filter per 1 litre of vodka. To me that’s a waste of a carbon filter that can continue filtering. I just make sure as well, that I get a good clear wash before stilling it too. That helps a lot in filtering. 👍Brian.
goood explination ... was thinking of getting this filter for the rum i amke so i can just take the edge off it a little beofre i keg it in my 300 l port barrel ...
Gday Richard,should you leave spirit or water in the tube between runs so the carbon stays moist. How many litres does the carbon do before changing? Cheers
You out it in after the 4l of hot water to clean the carbon. The carbon tube has a gauze in the bottom, so after rinsing the carbon, remove the ball valve, and out in the paper. The gauze stops the carbon from coming out. Refit ball valve and clamp. Fill with diluted spirit.
@LoveBrewing or to anyone really.....Question: How is the smell of the output after filtering once or twice? Does the carbon and filtering help with this...I'm assuming and hoping so, but would like feedback either way as this would be a key point on whether or not pursue the product. Thanks.
If you're getting a bad smell from the alcohol (eg. faint smell of nail varnish remover) then the filtering will help, but you can eliminate most of this by disgarding the first 100-150ml of distillate as it comes out of the still. Let some drip on your finger and smell it. If it smells bad, get rid of it and keep doing so until the bad smell is completely gone. Then collect the rest. The difference in flavour for the sake of disgarding an extra cup or two of distillate will be very noticable.
I still use the small carbon filter system, in the jugs? But I found that if I put the same litre of vodka through the same filter up to 5 times it continues to clean the alcohol. I get good results and save a lot of money on carbon filters. So I can’t speak exactly for this large system, but I know that if I had it, I would be using it two or three times and in my view it will clean more each time.
Rather than let it run into a bucket use a demijon with one those rubber bungs with the hole in it ,the ones that you would use in conjunction with an air lock ,set the filter height to the rubber bung no vapour loss works a treat
Good tip Ian and one that struck me as an advantage when I watched it. Think I'll pull the trigger on this product, all the Still Spirits stuff seems good quality and got all my kit from LB.
I have had mine for some time now and have noticed that just following the instructions not only reduces the ABV but also the quantity output. Here is what I have started to do; Set it up as directed, add the hot water(4 Litres in my case) and measure the amount that runs through, you will find that only 3.5 litres comes out. Now add the spirit, (6 Litres in my case at about 44% ABV)
Note that the tube gets hot and the heat travels down the pipe as the liquid runs out of the filter. This output is water and is about 500ml. As the heat travels down the pipe it drives the water out and when it reaches the tap alcohol comes out at about 40%. keep the water separate and collect the alcohol as normal. After the run time I will have about 5.5 litres at 40%, return it to the filter and run again. Collect the output and remove it from the tap and now comes the magic, the 500ml of water that came out at the beginning you now put back into the filter, open the tap and collect 500ml of 30 to 35% ABV alcohol that you would have thrown away. I add mine to the main output with no adverse effects on ABV or quality. No all we need is a quick clean way to empty the tube...
Thanks, Barry.
That's good info Barry
Thank you for this comment. First try and ive only managed to get only 30% out of it. if it wasnt for you it would of been less. Shame on still spirits for not telling us how to use it correctly. Im going to add 50% alcohol next time.
When adding the hot water, gently tap the column to ensure that there are no air spaces between the carbon granules. Makes a difference.
I got one of these filters about a month ago and used it last week. They are terrific. There is actually a separate bracket supplied that can be screwed to a wall or door if you want it permanently fixed. I added an extra bracket (which I bought in a plumbing supply store) near the valve at the bottom just to make it a bit more stable (the tube is 40mm wide). I'd recommend the Filter Pro and would echo what Richard says about filtering at least twice. The improvement in flavour is incredible.
A big thanks from Australia. I've decided to start getting into stilling spirits as I've been making beer for quite some time now and want to branch out. I've so far watched your 5 part series for beginners and now this video. I'm so so glad I watched these videos before even buy one piece of equipment. You've saved me years of guesswork and pressure dollars. I now have a fantastic understanding on where to start and what to buy. Thanks a million!
you're very welcome
If you are using the air still, and the small air still filter system, I found that the small carbon filter can continue cleaning the alcohol, so I put the SAME litre of vodka through the SAME carbon filter up to 5 times and it makes a lovely job. They say to only use 1 carbon filter per litre- that’s expensive. I couldn’t afford to buy new carbon cartridges once, so I put the same litre through multiple times and found I got great results. It’s up to you whether you try it or not, but now I always use every filter up to 5 times and get good results and save a lot of money on the filters. Try it!👍Brian.
Fantastic piece of kit! I begrudge not a penny of the continuing transfer of wealth from myself to Richard.
One point, about the filter paper. I don't use it. If you put the filter paper in before you clean/activate the carbon with the hot water, it adds a lot of time for the water to run through. I did 8 litres at 42% and ran it through the same carbon twice. Amazingly clean taste.
The filter paper does little except add a lot time to the process. At the worst, you will end up with product which has a faint (I think rather cool) hint of black. In actual fact, if you run enough water through the carbon, this doesn't happen. It is clear.
But if you do want that final paper filtered look, get a coffee filter just for this (around £2 in supermarkets, you don't want to use a coffee filter you also use for coffee) and pour the product through normal filter papers. For 8 litres I'd use 3 or 4 filter papers.
Same effect, saves hours of time.
Good advice. I still use the small carbon cartridge system- BUT I put the same litre of vodka through the same cartridge up to 5 times, and I find it gets better every time. I save a lot of money not using 1 filter per 1 litre of vodka. To me that’s a waste of a carbon filter that can continue filtering. I just make sure as well, that I get a good clear wash before stilling it too. That helps a lot in filtering. 👍Brian.
Thanks Richard great video again
goood explination ... was thinking of getting this filter for the rum i amke so i can just take the edge off it a little beofre i keg it in my 300 l port barrel ...
Gday Richard,should you leave spirit or water in the tube between runs so the carbon stays moist.
How many litres does the carbon do before changing?
Cheers
You forgot to say when and how you inserted the coffee filter paper..??
You out it in after the 4l of hot water to clean the carbon. The carbon tube has a gauze in the bottom, so after rinsing the carbon, remove the ball valve, and out in the paper. The gauze stops the carbon from coming out. Refit ball valve and clamp. Fill with diluted spirit.
Which carbon did you use? Where can you get it from?
@LoveBrewing or to anyone really.....Question: How is the smell of the output after filtering once or twice? Does the carbon and filtering help with this...I'm assuming and hoping so, but would like feedback either way as this would be a key point on whether or not pursue the product. Thanks.
If you're getting a bad smell from the alcohol (eg. faint smell of nail varnish remover) then the filtering will help, but you can eliminate most of this by disgarding the first 100-150ml of distillate as it comes out of the still. Let some drip on your finger and smell it. If it smells bad, get rid of it and keep doing so until the bad smell is completely gone. Then collect the rest. The difference in flavour for the sake of disgarding an extra cup or two of distillate will be very noticable.
Hey it may be a stupid question but you have to change carbon at every run ? like 500g for 8 liters ? thanks for the video !
I still use the small carbon filter system, in the jugs? But I found that if I put the same litre of vodka through the same filter up to 5 times it continues to clean the alcohol. I get good results and save a lot of money on carbon filters. So I can’t speak exactly for this large system, but I know that if I had it, I would be using it two or three times and in my view it will clean more each time.
Did you mean one drip per second rather than one drip per minute?
One drip per second, yes thank you for that correction - other viewers please take note :)
I add the carbon then clamp on the bucket, then add the liquid all before mounting it onto the door clamp. Less effort I found.
Thank you for the informative video
you're welcome!
If you filter a gin through it, will it remove some flavours from it? Same goes with a flavoured vodka?
Yes it will we would suggest running the vodka through first then add the flavouring.
Rule one. Don't put it on your only toilet door. :-)
Hey Rich, the still spirits drip speed is 2 drops per second ??
That's exactly the instructions that I've read too 🤷
I laughed when he said 1 drip per minute… I was like whhaaat? 🤣🤣🤣
But when did u put that paper filter
You said not yet
Than than never....
🤔
@@piotrmasierak1654after the carbon rinse. Remove ball valve, add paper filter. Replace and fill with spirit.
Do you reuse your carbon?
I would also like to know this.
@@stephengilyeat80 Pressure cooker for 2 hours , at about 400f good to go again
Rather than let it run into a bucket use a demijon with one those rubber bungs with the hole in it ,the ones that you would use in conjunction with an air lock ,set the filter height to the rubber bung no vapour loss works a treat
Good tip Ian and one that struck me as an advantage when I watched it. Think I'll pull the trigger on this product, all the Still Spirits stuff seems good quality and got all my kit from LB.
Adding the carbon via the hopper, after the first flush? Surely that will sick carbon to the sides? Make filling difficult?
good question but no didn't cause any issues