Comments on: Store brands run screaming!

Store brands run screaming!

starscream — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 15:48:31 -0800

Science experiment: one bottle of vile, cheap vodka and a Brita water filter. Four filtrations later and it tastes better than Ketel One.

By: geoff.

geoff. — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 16:04:17 -0800

American vodka is meant to be tasteless, and most American vodka is distilled using activated charcoal. It is no surprise that after using activated charcoal they noticed the taste was the same as other top-shelf vodkas. I believe Russian vodkas and their ilk have subtle taste differences and aren't meant to be as boring as American varieties.

By: The God Complex

The God Complex — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 16:06:18 -0800

That was fun.

By: fenriq

fenriq — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 16:20:37 -0800

I wonder what the Brita would do to a bottle of Everclear? Nothing that a dash of grape soda can't already do but it does set the mind to a thinkin' don't it? And I'm getting to thinkin' that its about time to start drinkin'.

By: NewBornHippy

NewBornHippy — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 16:43:18 -0800

And I'm getting to thinkin' that its about time to start drinkin'. posted by fenriq at 4:20 PM PST on November 10 He said, anxiously checking the clock to post at 4:20.

By: fenriq

fenriq — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 16:46:11 -0800

Oops, actually, I didn't even notice the time, be right back, I'm going to have to go out to my car for a moment. But a nice call anyway!

By: steef

steef — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 17:00:31 -0800

The ghost of missed opportunities for 'Filter titles cries, "VodkaFilter!" [Excellent kitchen sink science. Thanks!]

By: neckro23

neckro23 — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 17:14:14 -0800

I'm going to have to try this this weekend. Minnesota is home to many supremely nasty vodkas. And one really really good vodka.

By: four panels

four panels — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 17:26:05 -0800

This is a great post.

By: kamikazegopher

kamikazegopher — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 17:29:48 -0800

Fantastic post! I'm off to buy cheap vodka (for scientific purposes).

By: uosuaq

uosuaq — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 17:33:56 -0800

I just tried this and it works great! Plus, the chick sitting in the middle here looks really hot.

By: Ufez Jones

Ufez Jones — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 18:02:33 -0800

This is good. Thanks, starscream. Very tempting.

By: Zurishaddai

Zurishaddai — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 18:11:29 -0800

I just tried this and it works great! Plus, the chick sitting in the middle here looks really hot. Redundant.

By: Keyser Soze

Keyser Soze — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 19:33:33 -0800

tl;dr

By: angry modem

angry modem — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 19:49:28 -0800

definitely going to try this on the local Hawkeye Vodka in Iowa.

By: coolgeek

coolgeek — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 20:16:34 -0800

uosauq - you've spent WAY too much time in former Soviet states.

By: somethingotherthan

somethingotherthan — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 20:40:11 -0800

Add another to the column of those who want to try this. If it works -- finally, a way to get decent tasting vodka on a broke student's budget!

By: dejah420

dejah420 — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 20:53:21 -0800

Just as a matter of practicality...wouldn't the cost of the cheap booze and the water purifier be more expensive than just buying the good stuff in the first place? Or just buying decent stuff instead of the super top shelf? This line: We noted a loss of vodka through spillage (for my science homies). made me laugh out loud. Also, I'm glad to hear that Ken's cat did not die.

By: kenko

kenko — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 20:54:24 -0800

Doesn't cheap vodka have such as congeners & the like in it, which are bad? Does the filtration get rid of them?

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 21:16:43 -0800

I tried this once and it just pulled a bunch of charcoal out of the filter... the vodka that dripped through was tinted black with charcoal dust. I didn't try to taste.

By: stavrosthewonderchicken

stavrosthewonderchicken — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 22:05:08 -0800

tl;dr That people get banned from SA for comments comprised entirely of this is, in my books, a good thing. But, then, you were banned from SA, right?

By: deanc

deanc — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 22:18:41 -0800

I tried this once and it just pulled a bunch of charcoal out of the filter... You have to soak the filter in water and then filter a couple of quarts of water through it so all of that loose charcoal comes out. Then you can start with the vodka.

By: Dreama

Dreama — Wed, 10 Nov 2004 23:43:12 -0800

What a waste of cheap vodka, that is better used in removing odors from clothing and carpets! (The cheaper the better.)

By: Keyser Soze

Keyser Soze — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 00:02:04 -0800

But, then, you were banned from SA, right? I didn't get tl;dr from SA if that's what you're thinking.

By: rxrfrx

rxrfrx — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 03:34:40 -0800

You have to soak the filter in water and then filter a couple of quarts of water through it so all of that loose charcoal comes out. Then you can start with the vodka. No, seriously, I tried this on a well-used filter (I figured it would be better than ruining a nice new one). Also, the filtered orange juice was something of a bust. We did successfully remove the pulp and most of the sugar and orange flavor and color. But why?

By: jon_kill

jon_kill — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 05:46:26 -0800

I have one question: where the hell is thomcatspike?

By: password

password — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 06:02:25 -0800

thank god for the internets

By: Secret Life of Gravy

Secret Life of Gravy — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 07:51:34 -0800

Science Crackers! Inquiring minds want to know: Do they always have to be Nabisco saltines? Because this budding scientist really loves her Cheez-Its (yummmmy tabasco Cheez-Its.) reporting scientician" Do you have to have a college degree to become a reporting scientician? don't drink more than you can handle and always stop when your cousin Marge starts looking attractive. Does this mean you automatically have to be a teetotaler if cousin Marge is a hottie? What about if I am a female who doesn't happen to be a lesbian at the moment? Does that mean I can drink til I puke?

By: gregor-e

gregor-e — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 10:54:15 -0800

Persons wishing to perform such alchemy on a regular basis would do well to purchase activated carbon directly. For even better quality and cheaper vodka, the aspiring alco-alchemist should consider building a fractionating column, which can produce 95% (180 proof) ethanol that is so smooth, carbon doesn't help.

By: rorycberger

rorycberger — Thu, 11 Nov 2004 15:06:49 -0800

What about if I am a female who doesn't happen to be a lesbian at the moment? Have more vodka, then wait a few moments.