Toadfish Monastery

Should depend on the nature of the fusel oils. According to wikipedia charcoal can be used to reduce the content as well as rectification. Either the author is very cautious or both methods are not suitable for really high purity. Permselective membranes are state of the art I think.

Last _{na dann klappt's ja vielleicht doch noch mit dem Brennspiritus} Post

Should be fine for a quick and dirty cleanup of shoddily distilled but nevertheless commercial-grade "beverage" moonshines.  I've heard of using a Brita filter to clean up vodka but I suspect it would do evil things to the cation exchange resins or at the least pull some plasticizers from the casing when using high-test.

Gotta find a good cheap charcoal source, or perhaps just manufacture my own.  The only thing I can think of that is available to the layperson is fish aquarium filters....

Last _{kitchen chemist} Post


Oh, that reminds me... must order a set of test tubes for my spice collection. 

Be careful with the sort of charcoal. If it is not clean, it could actually release some nasty things. Better use a commercial brand that is certified for food processing.

Last _{is gun powder(the old-fashioned sort) safe for this, if the nitrate is removed ?} Post

Too sulphurous!  Good point on the charcoal, and a reason I wouldn't attempt to recycle an old Brita cartridge (all the nasties that went in would come back out).  Replacement charcoal for an under-the-counter water treatment system is probably the best bet, although I still think making a batch from clean wood (I know willow charcoal is recommended for pyrotechnics - also have some bamboo around, but not totally confident that it's not adulterated) is a viable option.  I'd also likely perform a good boiling-up with distilled water to clear any readily (water) soluble nasties out.

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Last _{screw charcoal, give me my whiskey} Post

Some whisk(e)ys require charcoal for production, Kiyo....

Behind all this chemistry is the science of how to drink better cheap booze (for strange applications).


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I got that.

But unless you manage to make cheap whiskey taste like Chivas Reagal, it really isn't interesting for me.


Last ^{putting Chivas in a Ballantines bottle is not an option} Post

This is more applicable to vodka... I've heard that it can make some cheap, nasty vodkas taste similar to more expensive charcoal-filtered brands (which generally have very little taste anyways).

It won't match an expensive vodka that has its own unique flavour though (if you are a real connoisseur), but might cut down on hangover potential.

Last _{might help make a cheap simulated soju, too...}Post

Not a great fan of Vodka.

Don't know, I used to drink vodka, when I was a little younger, but now get sick of it after one single glass.

Last _{fortunately no similiar problem with tequilla, whiskey, slivovitz.....} Post

Choose your poison.....
(Drat, the movie is not available as region 2 DVD)

Last _{will captain invincible return again?} Post

Well, Captain America is dead, so maybe Captain Invincible should return soon.


Last _{what the hell am I talking about?} Post

About the silly US obsession with superheroes without a trace element of fashion sense?
Last _{long live Lederhosn-Man*} Post

*No, not really. Actually: under no circumstances

not had the Last Post for AGES so I am keeping it

try getting past my super goat powers and unfashionable skin tight lycra suit to reclaim it!

Time to goat your a-billy-ties!
Last _ungoated Post

*Giving the goat some alcohol, getting him drunk and grabbing the last post.*


Last _{drunk goat} Post