Carbon Polishing

[freestyletrev]

Well,just did my first 5 gallons of sugar mash. and it worked great! Came out of my pot still at 65%ABV. Now its time to polish it with some carbon! I decided instead of filling a tube and filtering it, im going to just dump in some carbon and leave it for a few weeks, shaking it every now and then. Anyways my question is, how much carbon should i add per one quart of shine? -- Thanks!

[rad14701]

Activated carbon is going to remove the flavor you purposely left in the spirits by pot stilling... Activated carbon should only be used for producing neutral spirits...

[freestyletrev]

well..thats what i want. i mean, a more neutral spirt,like vodka, but me being stupud, i dump the carbon in withouth thinking of washing it first. so, i guess this means its ruined.. or is there a way of filtering it out?

[Rummer]

i am by no means an expert here but to get the fine carbon dust out (and all the carbon at the same time) you need to use a high quality filter paper (should be at your LHBS).
if you don't get it all out that way you can always dilute down too 40% and run it again should be a vary good neutral after this is done.
hope that helps

-Rummer

[blanikdog]

I know this is a very silly question and I also know I'll regret asking, but if you wanted neutral spirit why did you build a pot still???

[Dnderhead]

if you want vodka using a pot still you need to run it at least 3 times.

[freestyletrev]

haha, well i want mostly whiskeys and more flavorfull spirts, but i just got some peach flavoring i wanted to try out, and i dilitued it down, and ran it off to 75% and then ill dillute and flavor! thanks everyone!!

[sparky marky]

You arnt gonna get a perfect vodka neutral with a pot still but if you take a recipe like wineos plain sugar wash and double run it, make cuts, then maybe carbon filter if you feel so inclined. you will definitely be left with a damn good base for flavors like fruit, spice essences or your peach flavoring you mentioned. Hope it comes out well

[freestyletrev]

yea! i did a simple sugar wash, double distilled to 78%ABV, then carbon polished, mixed some sugar sryup with it.. dilluting down to 50%abv and added peach flavor! turned out very well! thanks for the help guys!