PURE water (distilled) is a nonconductor, an insulator if you will.
It takes quite a bit of time before the first silver ions start across
from one terminal to the other.
Once the ions start, the water becomes more and more conductive, until
eventually the current rises to runaway proportions and the water acts
as a short circuit between terminals. (brewed too long, get colored
CS)
Adding a tablespoon of CS to the distilled water at the beginning will
shorten the starting time before current will flow.
This is considered acceptable as you end up with only CS in the brew.
Anything else added to make the water initially more conductive, runs
the risk of also creating undesired compounds. Also creates colored CS
due to contaminates).
Salt, Honey, tap water or any water not distilled are examples of
"starters"
Running you distilled water through a filter before brewing
contaminates it, including charcoal.
Chuck
If the universe is expanding, why can't I find a parking space?
On 8/2/2009 12:21:27 PM, [email protected] wrote:
> In a message dated 8/1/2009 3:01:20 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, indi.
> [email protected] writes:
> Never heard of that honey trick, maybe one of the more knowledgeable
> people
> on the list can answer that. I just use some of my previous batch of
> CS
> for "starter", works like a charm.
>
>
> Hi indi, how much CS do you use as a starter ?? I have read that it is
> used but
> haven't read pros or cons concerning it.
>
> As for the charcoal filters I did read on the list that it wasn't
> a good idea but can't remember why...I do know that some with distillers have
> to run the water through more than one time...
>
> The honey sounds interesting but think it would have more value if added to
> the CS after it is made instead of while it is brewing... Lois
>
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