1) Remove both tube caps, rinse out the tube, and replace only one tube cap.



2) MacGyver some method of holding the tube vertically while the liquid filters (I suspended mine with rubber bands and a hose clamp inside a round wood jig that my dad had made for another purpose). I imagine that the easiest way would be to attach a hose clamp (carefully tightened) just above the middle of the tube, and then suspend the hose clamp from a loose vice or spring clamp of some sort.



3) If you didn't opt to place a small circle of metal mesh inside the bottom cap, secure coffee filters around the bottom of the tube. (If you DID use a mesh circle inside the cap, there's no need to place a coffee filter around the base at this step.)



4) Pour activated carbon into the tube...Note: Some alcohol will remain in the tube after filtering each batch; since we were filtering a number of bottles, our net result was virtually the same amount of alcohol. If you're only processing one or two bottles, you may want to use less activated carbon, since less alcohol will remain with the carbon after filtering.



5) Run as much clean (preferably, pre-filtered drinking) water through the tube as you'd like (we used approximately 3-5 gallons of filtered water to pre-flush the filter). This step gets rid of some of the carbon dust that will filter through into your alcohol. Note: activated carbon / activated charcoal is PERFECTLY safe to digest in small amounts; people often take activated carbon tablets as a dietary supplement.



6) After you've filtered the carbon dust out to your liking (and the resulting water is as clear as you'd like it to be), let the water drain out for a bit. Even after waiting for the water to drain, it will look as if there is still some remaining water left in the filter; you'll notice little to no taste difference in the first batch of your filtered alcohol.



7) Replace (or place) two coffee filters tightly around the bottom of the tube, and secure as near to the bottom as possible with rubber bands. You'll change these filters each time you run a batch of alcohol through.



8) Filter away! Place an empty bottle and funnel below the tube, pour your alcohol into the top of the tube, and go entertain yourself for half an hour. When you return, your filtered alcohol will taste FAR smoother than before. As mentioned on the first page, we also added a very small amount of vanilla extract after filtering, which REALLY balanced out the flavor and body of the whiskey.



After you've filtered all of your bottles, your activated carbon CAN be "recharged," stored and reused. Empty the activated carbon onto a baking sheet, and bake it in the oven at about 250 degrees for half an hour.



I'd love to hear how your batches came out, and any best practices that you discovered!



Cheers!



- Ben