I recently obtained a carbon snake for filtration. The directions said not to filter spirit above 50%. Does anyone know why there is that restriction?

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Also, the oils and yuk from the tails are too soluable in high proof. the carbon can't hold them. Diluted properly, the oils sepetate and are easily grabbed and captured by the carbon and held there. It all has to do with molecular size. Activated carbon captures molecules larger than ethanol. Tails are, if they are not in combination with ethanol at higher proofs."

"I read a Dow article that the increase of leaching of plastics is exponential as the % goes up. But for me, higher percent is what I got into this art for in the first place. That and quality. Im new at it and learning. But I have employed both the carbon in the jar followed by stainless coloum filtering.

I'm concentrating on getting the need to filter down to a minimum. I see there are many things that can be done to lessen the need. Still like the idea of a filter pass though."

"Lot of work. But thats what I'm after.
Made four runs so far.
In the bitter cold every time.
Had to drive her pretty hard and was very touchy.
Insulated colum and all.
I have about three gallons
average 89%.
I'll give your method a shot. Im changing over to copper from rings. Should be a good time to do the final run.
Thanks,"

"Dissassembled and cleaned the unit. Replaced the rashig rings with copper mesh. Replaced all gaskets and reassembled.

Drew off the soda soaked liquid and cut to approx 3 gal at 40% ABV.

Cranked her up and yes, it warmed up much quicker than with a wash.

100% reflux setting on the coolant and WFO on the condensor. Ran it at 158 for a half an hour for about a full table spoon of liquid. Slowy pinched it up to 171 where it purched and produced about 3 drops per second.

Collected 300 ml head and then started to collect in new pint jars that were numbered. Wound up using ten. I sniffed out the vapours as I went along. At the time I wasnt sure if I was just getting used to the vapor or what, but I noticed that the longer it run the less sweetish it would be come. Near the end the rig statred to need more coolant and the vapor gained a sharpness to it.

Covered the jars with coffe filter and installed only the ring.

Next day I opened them up and with them sequentialy lined up I stared in the middle. I had to try hard to smell anything at all fron the center two. As I slowly worked my way towards the first set, the beginning two jars did have a hint of sweet. And the last two started to pic up very faint sharpness to it.

I have not tested the ABV or sipped any, but it went pretty text for what I had learned and what Im after. I expect it to be fairly clean.

Now. From what Ive been told, I will now carbon filter it (I have a Brewhaus stainless one.), after a cut back to 40%, and rerun it taking most if not all of the product.
I'll let you in on the taste test tonight before I cut it.

Thanks Gents."

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+1
IMHO the essence of a top notch likker."

"That makes sence about the pre dilute before BS. I musta missed that part.
The strip was at 62% ABV so it wasn't too much off base. Regardless, the cuts are well defined with this method. Not a mystery like I expected. You can tell while it is running pretty much whats going on.

So. My taste test went well. Used a pipett to draw off a quarter inch into a shot glass with about the same if not a touch more of filtered (britta) water.

Pretty much matched my nose. I was able to define the hearts. I did go back to jar 6 for some sampling of the 92% product. And then some more sampling. Nice.....

OK. Tonight I have to build a stand for the filter unit. Gotta get ready for this weekend final run.
I'm thinking of running the still with water for a while to clean her. Only been used once with the copper in it. But I want angel clean.
Cant wait....Thank you kindly."

"Thats true huh?

This will be the products third pass... post filter. I just want all this hard work to wind up being the finest and the cleanest to grace my jars.
I guess a decent cut is in order anyhow.
I certainly grasp the ""dont worry, it's not going anywhere"" concept of reusing the cuts. It's hard not to be greedy tho. It's a fight. But Im getting there.
Patients is mandatory huh?"

"Way to go 289!

Hope you will taste test your first good vodka run against this last. Would be interested to get your opinion.

Cheers"

"WTG 289,
just be careful and get too proofy with your loved one's. Teach em how to,,,,,,,,do it. Help them understand ( I'm sure you will) what they are experiencing.

Nice to impress the grey goose crowd too.

Cheers and good to hear that you are having success."