Is carbon filtration realy necessary for your standard sugar water prestige turbo mash, coming off at 95% and dilluted with distilled water?

Also, would the extra quaulity be less noticable when converting to fruity shots or liqueurs like sambuca, instead of drinking vodka?

The decision to carbon filter is entirely a personal one...if you like the smell and taste its not required...you may want to try a double or even a triple distill,after diluting to 40-50% with ,I use distilled water, water.

Thank you 'Pocheen' I tried your suggestion for a 'Brita' filter with the product from my new 'Amazing Still' and this has gotta be the best uh, 'tonic' I ever tasted! The simple Brita filter does a great job cleaning up even my 'corn,maize for all you other guys,likker' so that it is very smooth. Thanks Pocheen, Youre right on with this stuff.
'Spirit Maker'

better yet how do you read a hydrometer

I have run my first two 5 gallon batches that came out 95 and 90 proof respectively. I read online how to use carbon filtration with the long pvc tube as described above and followed the directions exactly. The resulting brew was very smooth at first, but had a lingering after-taste. I'm thinking that the taste is from my rubber seal on my valved reflux still. Where can I find food grade rubber to make a gasket?

Thanks a million for all the information and comments. Since I asked the original question I have learned a lot. The most important points I can see has already been learned from most of you.

1st, distill slowly - NEVER let the temp indicator go over 177 degrees. My first batch ,the one that had the bad aftertaste, had fusil oils or 'tails' in it. On my last batch I had 2 five gallon pails of mash. I tried corn with 10 lbs disolved sugar and Turbo 48 yeast. One batch quit ferminting early, the other settled out
20% alcohol. I distilled the bad batch first, and it boiled up the tower. Messed everything up. I saved all I could and poured it into the second batch, cleaned the tower very well, and got 2 liters of 95% from the second batch.

I also took the advice given previously and collected only about 1/2 pt. at a time. After collecting a small amount once I had to readjust the fire. I got it a little too hot. I went in the house for a very short time and when I returned the temp was at 181 degrees and the product was coming out in a stream. I saved it and stopped the distilling when the temp bounced between 166/167. Results: excellent batch, no aftertaste and I'm not sure if I even need to charcoal filter.

If you want more information on charcoal filterint, read Gert Strand's 'Activated Carbon For Purivication of Alcohol'. It was very educational for me.

Thanks again for all the help. Some of you are light years ahead of me, but with practice and this forum, hopefully I will catch up.

Hello Rick and everyone.

I have the 3' SS High Capacity unit and now want a good filter. I just ordered carbon yesterday and my question is can I invert my column upside down, toss some cotton down against the coils to hold the carbon and use this as a filter, or would 2' pvc be better? I like the SS idea though.

And Rick, if this is a good column idea for filtering, perhaps,then you ought to consider supplieng a ss bucket with a tri-clamp fitting on the bottom to attach to the column?

Very detailed, congrats!<center><table border=1><tr><td>
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