Home Distillation - Part 3: Filtering Spirits

[@TheGreatest1974]

Anyone here looking for filtering tips? I’ve been using the air still for 2 years now. I couldn’t afford carbon filters so I started running the same 1 litre of vodka through the same carbon filter 3 or even 4 times, and I found out it works a proper treat. The carbon filter carries on filtering each time you pass it through! This is a huge money saving tip, as they tell you to only use 1 carbon filter per litre. I wouldn’t DREAM of using a carbon filter just once now. I always put a litre through 3 times at least. The results are superb. 👍🇬🇧

[@outie555two]

Good tip. Although I use a filter that uses granular activated carbon these days and it's really cheap to run too.

[@TheGreatest1974]

@@outie555two cheers. Yeah I haven’t used a big filter before. I find that if I clean the sugar wash to nice and clear, I can get really good results through the small filters- I know they seem small, but like I say, put the same litre through a filter 3 times and it’s as good as Smirnoff it really is. Good to hear you’re getting on well with the big filter. 👍

[@TheGreatest1974]

@@Paul-nn9oj no. I use the filtering Jug and I take out the top, pour out the vodka, replace the top and it filters through again.

[@wrapmecool282]

You are a really good teacher! Best I've seen, Thank you!!

[@TheGreatest1974]

I’m loving watching your videos mate. They are really good. 👍🇬🇧

[@rogerhargreaves2272]

Epic. Distilling you’re own spirits is illegal in the U.K. but your not breaking the law unless your caught. Great videos. Thanks mate.

[@Brewermb]

Hi Roger, would you give me your address Regards Brian HMRC

[@cossycossy7348]

Sorry some countries are living in the dark ages, here in AU you can brew all you like, not against any laws, but I’m sure you can’t sell it, but that’s a totally different story 😉

[@TheGreatest1974]

Haha true. 👍

[@elektrobear2027]

If you need to polish 50%plus you can do it by adding about a 100 milliliters of boiled activated charcoal for every 1 liter if spirit. It takes atleast a week of shaking every day for the carbon to absorb the contaminants. Then you put it through double coffee filters.

[@jdfloats]

YOUR ON THE BALL

[@carlburton289]

I know in your next video you talk about flavouring, i find when using the flavouring i can't make a good tasting whisky and I've been through them all. Lately I've got into oaking and if you visit your brew shop and purchase ex bourbon barrel staves which are sold in 500g packets for about $25, you can soak 5L of neutral on the staves for roughly 2 weeks (the longer the better) and you'll be left with a beautiful whisky. You may have done this already but for those of you who don't know, give this method a try.

[@outie555two]

I haven't done that yet but I would like to one day and see the results compared to the flavouring. I know it will be better with the wood.

[@fourdeadinohio8303]

Carl Burton... i use JDSC. very cheap and i char them myself with a torch or throw some shine on them and light it. you have to filter your distillate thru a coffee filter then thru carbon. i use 2 different carbon filters both from Kroger. i also use glycerin from brew store to give my distillate that sweet taste. there's a lot of ways to do this hobby ..this works for me.

[@carlburton289]

@@outie555two well worth it hey. I've started making my washes with liquid malt extract or corn flakes (the cerial) The corn flakes wash when distilled carries a raisony sweetness which makes a good base for oaking a bourbon. The liquid malt extract is good for imitating a single malt whisky instead of mashing all grains. Both methods are really easy to do for better bourbons and whiskys. I never filter through carbon when making these 2 washes as carbon will strip carry over flavours from still.. instead i double distill using my airstill.

[@barrygiddey9139]

Great job mate

[@outie555two]

Filtering it's the most important step especially for pot type stills

[@JimGriffOne]

The reflux stills have an issue with off flavours, even if you do a good cut. As soon as you mix the 95% product with water to dilute it, the off flavours become a lot more noticeable. I may try one of those ultimate filters if I can find one. Thanks for the video.

[@outie555two]

I just ran another 8L batch through that filter with one cup of granulated activated carbon. No off flavours and I highly recommend getting one.

[@JimGriffOne]

@Lex Vegan I found it was the later cut that I was leaving till too late. Now I make many more cuts into jam jars and compare each to one another. I'm getting a very pure spirit now. 💪🏻

[@drzoidberg2011]

Thanks. Great idea about the bottle method.

[@ls-tz8jp]

Great information. Your flat looks like mine before I got married, and it looks like mine after getting married with kids. Lol

[@tristaneast8625]

I have heard different things about the ultimate filter. Some good, some not so good. I also noticed there was no product review in the website where you bought yours.

[@outie555two]

I like it, and still use it after many years with great results

[@jay71512]

I just put a cup of charcoal in a demijon full of 40% alcohol and give it a shake now and then 3/4 days its usually spot on.

[@outie555two]

Nice. I've done that too with fantastic results. Left it in for a few months though and coffee filtered it to remove any fine particles of carbon.

[@chriskell5353]

How dose the last of the alcohol come out of the filter I bought the same but it's not letting the last of it out

[@solomonassefa9940]

Is it possible to purify the local alchol or spirit of more than 75% ethanol,how

[@RyanAbrey]

Hey man. You still enjoying the air still. Considering getting one.

[@outie555two]

Yeah man, it's great if you are happy with making small quantities of spirits. If your thinking of making anymore than about 8L of spirits then I would recommend getting the t500 still as it is bigger and will save you time. Air still is great for its ease of use, small space needed and affordability. I only have that one and I'm still happy with it. Only down draws are it takes a few hours to condense the wash into 1.2L of spirits. So as I use both fermenters each time it takes me a while to get 8L of spirits. Then it must be filtered before flavouring or drinking.

[@RyanAbrey]

@@outie555two Ha ha that's exactly what I need. Small compact quantities. We dont drink that much anyway. Have you made any whiskies?

[@outie555two]

Made scotch whisky, used liquid flavouring. You can soak in special wood chips but that takes a few months. I find that the liquid flavouring is worth it and the best results after its sat for a day to fully absorb, but still can be drunk straight after flavouring. Just remember that filtering needs to be done before adding the flavour, otherwise if you filter after the flavouring is added it will take a lot of the flavouring away.

[@illseeyouaround..914]

have you ever use permanganate?

[@MartinStan-t4b]

So after distilling the first 1 litre, do you discard the remaining wash in the boiler? Seems a waste. 1ST TIME so fingers crossed.

[@outie555two]

Yeah, as that has had most of the alcohol removed, it's just mostly yeasty water full of sulphur smells. The lawn doesn't seem to mind it if it's cold.

[@MartinStan-t4b]

@outie555two thankyou for the reply . Really helpful channel. Keep it up

[@rocketsroc]

You can use a ZeroWater filter system which I've found is the best.

[@outie555two]

Nice, glad it works and seems nice and simple

[@Progfan2010]

Is that densímeter just like the ones for measuring beer wort?

[@outie555two]

The one for measuring the wash is the same as the beer ones. The one for the spirits once distilled is different from the beer one.

[@YoonEVurs]

I have a britta water container with carbon filter. Has anyone used that to clean the spirits?

[@outie555two]

Yes I have, it works but you will need to cycle it through the filter over and over again as it filters too quick to just do one run through. If you have time, but not wanting to use much effort, then 2 heaped tea spoons of activated carbon granules (rinsed with hot water) sitting in a 700ml bottle of spirirts works just let it sit for a month, then paper or spong filter it out.

[@adamplumtree64]

I want one but seems a lot off messing around for 1.2l of vodka. This video is 7 years old is there anything better now days ??????

[@clivenorwell8388]

Hi, how many litres can you filter with 1 cup of granules, really nice work by the way.

[@outie555two]

I do 8 litres then discard it.

[@سحاب-ه7ظ]

Can I use filter carbon directly after fermentation before distillation the alcohol be approximately 10%-12%

[@outie555two]

You can, but it won't be nearly as good, and you'll probably still want to filter it after its all dripped through the still. Because the distillation naturally only takes less than a quarter of the fermentation that you filled up in the still, and turns it into vapour that condenses and drips out. So filter it after distilling, as firstly, your filtering less fluid and secondly you should filter after its dripped out of the still to remove any off tastes. The only time you might not need to filter after using the still is if you had an expensive reflux still and didn't use turbo yeast.

[@outie555two]

You can use carbon to filter anything below 50% (preferably 40%) and it will filter. But if you have the same setup as mine, filter after its been distilled.

[@TEKutso]

With some tweaks to your air still, like voltage regulator and copper scrubbers, you can actually get pretty clean spirits on the first run without even filtering. Another thing you can do, if you find it necessary, is to distill it again. This will pick up any leftover impurities. I do really recommend a voltage regulator, as it both makes the spirit cleaner, and you actually get more alcohol from your wash. I get approximately 1.6 liters of about 50-55% abv from 4 liters of sugar wash. And that's with a turbo yeast wash.

[@TheAlbiCollier]

Did ya ever go to a tpw or kale wash? People swear by them...

[@earlofdoncaster5018]

I have an old coffee machine, if i put activated carbon where the coffee goes would that do to filter my arse tasting spirits? Or would a water filter do?

[@outie555two]

It will work but you will have to filter it multiple times as the coffee machine filter gives you no control over the time it takes to go through the filter and slow it right down. Honestly not worth your time if you have move than a few litres of spirits to filter. Get a filter that's is designed for homebrew. Activated granular carbon and a tap in the line to control the flow rate - this is the most economical way. Expensive way is to get activated carbon blocks such as the ones from still spirits, but is the easiest.

[@earlofdoncaster5018]

@@outie555two Damn, and there was me thinking I'd won the moonshiner's answer to the Nobel prize. Would a water filter do?

[@Mick-Dempsey]

Would a Brita filter work good if I filtered it like three times ?

[@outie555two]

It would but wouldn't be as good as a bigger carbon filter that slowly drips through a lot of carbon.

[@bradmcclure4945]

have you tried distilling cheap store purchased like vodka at Costco just wondering what ABVyou would end up with??

[@outie555two]

This still is not designed to re distill spirits. But it's simple math. If you distill 1L of 40% spirits and have 500 ml come out, it will be around 80% alcohol. I would not do it with a pot still though, you would need a reflux still.

[@royvaningh6452]

@@outie555two that is not how the math works)) and surely you can re distill with this pot. Just dilute to 40% Re distilling with this pot avoids using filter also.

[@TEKutso]

I agree with ​@@royvaningh6452. In fact I do it all the time. This Friday I'm redistilling spirit that has macerated in spices to make Ouzo.

[@karischueler7133]

I have an alembic still. Do you always have to filter spirits before drinking? I’ve never seen this in any of the books I’ve read.

[@outie555two]

Depends on the quality of the spirits produced. These pot stills produce lower quality spirits so filtering is needed to remove odours and give a cleaner tasting spirit.

[@karischueler7133]

@@outie555two thank you!

[@royvaningh6452]

@Kari Schueler if you gave alembic still DON'T filter! Filter will strip away flavors. Just double still! Alembic is used for spirits with flavors. Filter is for neutral spirits

[@TheAlbiCollier]

Awesome man how many times do ou filyer your spirit is there much advantage in repeated passes?

[@outie555two]

Just filter once. I filter through a large filter that uses a cup of activated carbon granules so it is fine the first time. With this type of still, known as a pot still, the purity isn't as high as a reflux still. As such you get off tastes (sulphur) from the yeast come through with the distilation process. You can filter more than once if you like, if it didn't filter the taste on the first pass through, then it will on the second. I've never had too on my current filter or the still spirits drip filter with the small carbon bricks that filter 1L each.

[@TheAlbiCollier]

@@outie555two Thanks for answering, I just found your reply after relooking at this vid... I really want to clone the setup you have there... The net keeps saying the spirit from air stills is rubbish because of off flavours from the Turbo yeast, Its good to hear that your large filter works, how many litres can you put through a cup of carbon on that filter? Thanks again!

[@stickybudsgardens6942]

@@TheAlbiCollier I used turbo yeast on my first run and thought it was good but had no real comparison. Needed more and everything was sold out. Found Mile High Brewing or Distilling? Ordered both their turbo yeast and charcoal and are outstanding and less expensive! Bought in bulk and so happy I did! Cheerz 🍻🍻

[@stickybudsgardens6942]

@Lex Vegan thanks for that info! I might try that when I eventually run out of my supply. I gotta say tho, I couldn't be more happy with Mile High Yeast n Charcoal! So easy and clean! As I recall it wasn't that expensive either. Perfect for my small operation. Cheerz 🍻 🍻 💨

[@marcusschofield5692]

A few months ago I purchased a still spirits airstill and that standard lil filter is absolutely crap it did fuck all and did not remove any off smells and flavours , then I purchased a Britta filter jug and fuck me the difference is night n day , that standards little filter for still spirits is a complete joke Use Britta filters people trust me it’s works wonders

[@outie555two]

I think the standard carbon block type one actually does a great job. Make sure it's activated and installed correctly. The results should have been better with the carbon block type that takes a few hours verses a water filter that's filters in a few minutes.

[@tyannabeasley69]

Or you can use a water purifier like a Britta

[@justinscott1691]

Wont the chlorine and other chems and impurities in tap water diminish the effectiveness of your carbon through adsorption, mabye try reverse osmosis water or distilled water for washing instead, ps just thinking out loud as i have some knowledge of activated carbon in feilds not pertaining to alcohol production.

[@outie555two]

After a week or too most of the chlorine would evaporate out. aquanswers.com/how-long-does-it-take-for-chlorine-to-evaporate-from-tap-water-entirely/

[@keiramorrison9806]

Whats the model called on the Clarence website?

[@outie555two]

www.clarencewaterfilters.com.au/product/the-ultimate-spirit-carbon-filter-kit/

[@tyannabeasley69]

So can i just freeze theAlcohol in the water it will freeze and the alcohol will not is that a good idea to concentrate your alcohol? Or what does that do?

[@mattpearce4313]

That definitely works-to an extent. You can’t get very high abv%, an actual still works far better. The freeze method takes a long time to get any substantial results, although an advantage is that it’s legal in most places.

[@TEKutso]

Yeah, but the problem is that you don't just concentrate the ethanol. You also concentrate methanol, acetone and other nasty stuff. Distillation separates these from the ethanol to some degree.

[@stonedsavage7814]

That is a fish tank carbon reactor I bet it’s cheaper to buy those than the ultimate spirit filter kit.

[@NoggintheNod]

Damn ! I'm in here with a load of drunks ! 😜 (Distilling their own booze.) 😜

[@outie555two]

You know it!

[@MrDavespade]

I prefer the term alcohol enthusiast, thanks!

[@NoggintheNod]

I just finished my bottle of pinot grigio, my good man

[@AAAA-zv5pb]

Is distillation continuous at 77 ° C. Until distillation ends ?

[@outie555two]

I honestly don't know, but as long as you turn it off at the 1.2 L mark it's good enough and about 40 percent so I've never needed to use a thermometer to check it.

[@nikolin78]

what kind of alcohol meter u have? I need one with a european scale

[@outie555two]

Made in Russia. But it shows percentage so it is universal.

[@Tommy23r10]

pretty cool man!

[@outie555two]

cheers tom!

[@paulfadden8834]

make sure you filter before you add flavouring! I did my first run and flavoured with a sugar/water/fruit mix. I then realised I hadn't filtered, so ran it through carbon filter which stripped all of my alcohol out of my solution. By sitting the carbon in water then putting through the airstill I managed to rescue half of the alcohol, however if you use EC1118 Wine yeast which will give you up to 20% alcohol you do not get the methonal etc.. and therefore should not need to filter, although I am yet to test this.

[@outie555two]

Yep always filter first :)

[@robertkat]

That is a no brainer, alcohol has to be filtered, run through activated charcoal, only then it will be made into rum, gin, whiskey, etc. Votka is the first run through the charcoal, done! Better votka is run through charcoal 3 times, no aging required. Cheap. No oak barrels, no aging. Votka is worth $10 a gallon.

[@paulfadden8834]

@@robertkat I ended up buying a brita filter, however bamboo charcoal can do the same job, it just takes longer to clean. I put it through 5 times and it was much cleaner! Wow that's cheap! in the UK it would be £10 per litre/ 1/4 Gallon. A 1Liter bottle of Bacardi in the UK shops is £16 which is approx $18

[@JesusisJesus]

Paul Fadden Most spirits are $45-50 per 700ml bottle in Australia. Hence why I am distilling and it's costing me $2/lt to make it and 12 hrs to distill, filter and bottle and then refill fermenter so Sunday is grog making day, and a lot of testing goes on in my house :)

[@terryturns9646]

I think I have learning difficulties I still have no idea how to make alcohol

[@mattpearce4313]

Yeast eats sugar, produces alcohol. When there is sugar and yeast together, the yeast converts the sugar into alcohol. I’m happy to help if you have anything you’d like to know 👍🏼

[@paulkazjack]

Yup you sound pretty thick.

[@dutchk9833]

Couldnt you recharge your carbon in the oven instead of throwing it away? Also food grade or not, I don’t think its a good idea to mix spirits and plastic, but to each their own. Nice job.

[@outie555two]

+Dutch K9 it's brewed in plastic :P nah the carbon is pretty cheap so easier to use a new batch instead.

[@richardmacleod4878]

outie555 still better to reuse than throw out and buy new!

[@robertkat]

Activated carbon is the one to use, it bubbles when thrown into a glass of water.

[@robertdavis5043]

i like your funnels idea kool

[@outie555two]

Thanks Rob. The trick to it is to make sure it only drips through slowly and there is more spirit to cover the carbon.

[@bcogamer340]

can i drink without filter ??

[@outie555two]

Yes. But, if you don't have a reflux still, then you'll probably find without filtering it, it smells slightly of sulphur, even if you add flavourings.

[@bcogamer340]

@@outie555two I dripped it and removed the first 50 ml But the smell like acetone or detergent does go with just filtering

[@ivormectin.3046]

I use carbon filters 2-3 times.. Just run them through distilled water after each use... You so can buy charcoal cheaper if you use aquatic filters.. Just saying..

[@biglebowski8108]

coconut activated carbon is the worst carbon for the still filtration

[@outie555two]

Well I can't afford to go all Dan Aykroyd and use diamonds, so what do you use?

[@paulkazjack]

Bollox ! You dont know what your talking about!

[@biglebowski8108]

@@outie555two coconut activated carbon is the most expensive among activated carbons used for filtration and the worse choice due to its small molecule sizes. An ethanol molecule is about three times as large as a water molecule so it goes through coconut-activated carbon almost like water through diamonds molecules ;)

[@madbrit5053]

flavour?? why not add botanicals, when in the still, taste much better than a nasty flavour

[@GuthrieDennis]

Seems like a lot of extra work.

[@outie555two]

Needed for a pot still

[@eatacalfaday5125]

Honestly it’s not mine.......

[@Paul-nn9oj]

Keep the shot of heads out. Carbon will pollish yucky tails, but not yucky heads