Active Carbon - What's the deal?

[ScottM]

I'm looking to make an alcohol wash for alcopops and various other alcopoppy drinks and I'm a little stumped with regards to the carbon and the necessity of it.

Is it required when not making a low alcohol spirit via essence?
If it's still a good idea what is the best method of using it?
Is the liquid stuff as good as the granules?

Any information, experience and tips would be great. I've got my Alcotec 48 coming soon. It'll be great having a bottle of wash in the fridge to constantly have alcoholic anything on hand

 

[mm707]

It is used to take away the bad taste and smell that you get when you use turbo yeast.

Have a look at this link where I've posted a reply of how I use it

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=32585&p=310316#p310316

 

[ScottM]

It is used to take away the bad taste and smell that you get when you use turbo yeast.

Have a look at this link where I've posted a reply of how I use it

viewtopic.php?f=69&t=32585&p=310316#p310316

Yeah thanks for that.

Is the taste and smell strong though? I'm not going to be using it for making a vodka or anything like that. Just using it to mix drinks with in order to make alcopops and suchlike. If the flavour is quite strong and overpowering then obviously I would need to filter it first. Just wondering what sort of level it's needed at :)

 

[mm707]

It is a bit pongy yes :)

 

[graysalchemy]

Its not the pong and taste you should be worried about but the hangovers if you don't, and all the unwanted by products of a very fast aggressive fermentation which cause them. The smell and taste is natures way of warning you not to drink it :lol: :lol:

 

[ScottM]

Lol point taken. Active carbon and waste pipe added to shopping list

 

[ScottM]

Ok, mentioned this to the wife and so it's grown arms and legs.

The shopping list is now....

Active Carbon Granules 1.7kg
2m 2" dia waste pipe
Southern Comfort Essence
Morgans Spiced Essence

Should I warn her not to get her hopes up or will this stuff be reasonable?

 

[Eric_S]

What alcohol base are you using? Sugar, nutrients and yeast or something more involved?

 

[ScottM]

What alcohol base are you using? Sugar, nutrients and yeast or something more involved?

8kg Sugar
Alcotec 48 Yeast

Not sure if the yeast calls for nutrient or not. I'll then carbon filter the lot :)

No doubt there will be far better options for this but I just wanted to have a crack at it

 

[mm707]

No nutrient required if using turbo yeast.

The irish whisky cream essence is really good if you like baileys. Use Single elmlea instead of cream and it will last quite a long time :)

In my opinion the southern comfort, ouzo, absynthe, apricot brandy and triple sec produce good results. I've tried the whisky, brandy and rum essences and I've not liked them but it's all trial and error.

 

[solomon1]

8kg Sugar
Alcotec 48 Yeast

Not sure if the yeast calls for nutrient or not. I'll then carbon filter the lot :)

No doubt there will be far better options for this but I just wanted to have a crack at it

glad that you have decided to give this a shot aswell just started mine a couple of hours ago.