Home Distiller

i have read lots on this and still confused
i am using a pot still and doing (playing) with some rum and whiskey flavored shine
i have seen that some ppl filter there product as soon as it comes out of worm

what kind of charcoal would they be using?
what is the process to get the charcoal ready to use for filtering ( ie soak it in water first...???)???
Would this not strip the flavor out of the shine?

i want to filter mine atleast once but dont want to lose all that work and money by stripping my rum or whiskey flavor

i put this under novice because i am still learning but have been doing it a year now and getting some good flavors for a novice.
BUT still not happy with end product....so going to keep trying and tweaking

thanks you for any info....
i do appreciate it all

i will share any recipe i come up with once i am happy with it myself and is worth sharing

3 gallon stainless pot
copper lines
stainless condenser (i use some mash in my thumper)
copper worm