Sooner or later, everyone who at least once tasted homemade moonshine (or its variations - cognac, bourbon, liqueur, etc.) set themselves the goal of doing the same, only even better. First, the owners are interrogated - as best they could, but teach, show, borrow. This is the first wave of moonshiners. After that, he begins to study the vastness of the Internet in the hope of finding, how to make a moonshine still with your own hands... This is the most inquisitive wave that tries to sort out tons of information, what is true and what is false. We have already talked about how to make and assemble individual parts of the unit, now it's time to talk about how to assemble a full-fledged apparatus.

The history of the moonshine still

For the first time they learned about moonshine back in the 4th century AD, when a Chinese alchemist compared the drink with clear wine distilled 9 times. Its technology was used by Greeks, Romans and even Egyptians at different times.

This is how, according to official documents, one of the first moonshine stills developed by the ancient Greeks looked like.

But if this unit was for the most part made of stone, then the Arabs went further and made the structure already of copper. This allowed the mash to warm up evenly, gradually, completely remove fusel oils (recall, extremely harmful to health) and create a drink suitable for internal use.

The term alcohol was also proposed by the Arabs, in literal translation the word meant intoxicating drink - al gogol.

In the 9th century, in Persia, a coil was invented - a copper tube was bent into several turns, but still left in the air for cooling.

Since the 10th century, with the filing of alchemists and healers, the flourishing of moonshine literally begins, combined with the development of recipes for potions and elixirs. At the same time in Italy, the monk Valentius declares that he invented the water of life, which is capable of transforming old people into young men. Needless to say, it was moonshine?

In the 15th century, Basil Valentine comes up with the idea of ​​lowering the coil in cold water in order to increase the alcohol condensate, and this was the starting point for the creation of a modern apparatus with a distillation cube, refrigerator and dry steamer.

This is how the device looked in the 16th century (the principle of operation has been preserved to this day):

1. Vat for heating the tincture
2. Tube for supplying hot tincture to a cube
3. Stove
4. Cap
5. Swan neck
6. Coil
7. Serpentine in the refrigerator
8. Refrigerator with cold water

The first moonshine still in Russia

In Russia, moonshine was first tested only in the 17th century, when a unit was brought from Venice to Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich as a gift.

Until the 17th century, from homemade alcoholic beverages in Russia, only mead and mash were consumed. And only in the 19th century, with the help of a rectification column, they learned to create 96% highly purified alcohol.

This concludes a short excursion into history, now the time has come for modernity.

Buy or collect

There is no definite answer to this question. Of course, for a beginner, it is much more preferable to buy a ready-made device, when there is no need to look for individual parts and bring them to perfection. But, on the one hand, such a purchase can create a hole in the budget - a good device with normal performance will cost 15 thousand rubles or more, on the other hand, it is still more interesting to create and invent.

We will tell you how to make a moonshine still with your own hands, and from what materials.

To begin with, let's define what moonshine (distillate) is and how it differs from rectified. The principle of getting that one, that the other is absolutely identical. A sugar-containing (less often starch-based) mash is prepared, yeast is added, then within a certain time the mushrooms create a colony and secrete waste products. Actually, it is they who are the concentrate of various alcohols, of which only ethyl alcohol is suitable for ingestion.

Under the influence of temperature, the wash decomposes into a liquid residue and alcohol-containing vapors, which in the process of distillation decompose into gaseous and liquid fractions.

Even in the case of repeated running, it is not possible to clear the drink from all harmful impurities. The only way that allows you to get a perfectly pure product is rectification using a drawer or a rectification column. In this case, alcohol-containing vapors are divided into fractions in several stages. It is not easy to make a distillation column with your own hands, and a completely reasonable question arises - is it necessary to obtain pure alcohol in this way, if it can be bought at any pharmacy?

The rectificate is extremely harmful to health precisely because of its purity, since pure poison is absorbed by the body much faster and better than moonshine with a certain amount of harmful impurities. In addition, all famous drinks - bourbon, rum, whiskey, calvados, scotch, etc. - are made on the basis of distillate.

So, taking into account the above characteristics of moonshine, it is clear that the main stage of production consists in heating an alcohol-containing liquid to such a state when alcohol begins to separate. After that, it is also cooled before converting into a liquid fraction already in the form of a finished drink.

With this in mind, you can determine the main components of the moonshine still:

• distillation cube, where the wash is heated to the required temperature;
• refrigerator - a storage or flowing container with cold water, where the coil is cooled;
• coil - a spiral tube made of copper, stainless steel or glass, through which alcohol-containing steam moves and is divided into fractions;
• dry pot - catcher of fusel oils and mash residues;
• receiving tank - a place where chilled moonshine flows;
• connecting elements.

This is the first and main element of the moonshine still, on which the efficiency and final taste depend.

Most often, milk cans, pressure cookers (multicooker), beer kegs are used as it. Less often, a distillation cube is made with your own hands from stainless steel or steel, welding them into a container, but this option is not reliable. On the one hand, the mash will stick to the stainless steel, and it will not work to stir it due to its tightness. On the other hand, the slightest error in the weld can lead to the fact that when the wash boils, when the pressure reaches 180-220 Pa, the cube will simply burst.

How to make a distillation cube from a can

This is the simplest version of a distillation still, since the can is relatively airtight, especially when it comes to a new container. But his "adaptation" for distillation has its own peculiarities.

The rubber gasket on the lid of the can is categorically not suitable for heating - the mash will absorb a specific aroma that will not slow down to affect the taste of the finished drink. It is best to use silicone gaskets, or even better, aquarium silicone. Experts advise using food-grade silicone as such gaskets, from which baked goods are made for the form. But in general, this particular option is suitable for sealing the lid and will not give either taste or smell.

How to make a silicone airtight gasket correctly

This process is carried out in several stages, at least there should be three of them. First apply aquarium silicone sealant to the edges of the lid, allow it to dry completely, apply the second and third, also leaving time to dry. After applying the third layer, put ordinary cellophane on the neck of the can and close the lid. Leave it on for a few hours to completely dry the silicone. The result is a truly sealed vessel that can be used for several years.

To prevent the can from becoming like a colander over time, wash it thoroughly after each use. You can use regular or laundry soap and plenty of running water. It is strictly forbidden to use soda. Stainless steel or aluminum reacts very badly to alkali.

If you do not want to change the rubber gasket to silicone, you can simply wrap it with several overlapping layers of fum tape. This is also a fairly tight connection.

Some "experienced" moonshiners recommend using dough to seal the joint. It would seem, why not? It seems to be a decent sealant, and it smells like bread in the room, and not like booze during cooking. But! After the very first volumetric distillation, when you have to start the unit several times, constantly scraping off the dough and glueing a new one will get bored. Dough scraps all over the kitchen, broken nails and wasted time are unlikely to make the process enjoyable.

To connect the can to the coil on the lid, make a hole for a 22 mm pipe and a 12 mm coil using a 0.5 inch thread. You can buy an adapter at a plumbing store.

What else to look for when choosing a flask for a moonshine still:

• the material of manufacture is stainless steel, since aluminum will withstand a small number of cycles;
• a minimum volume of 25 liters to get 4-4.5 liters of moonshine at the output;
• wide neck, which is convenient to work with - pour the mash and wash after cooking;
• wall thickness and overall build quality - directly dependent on the price, and ensures a normal service life.

Distiller (moonshine still) based on a milk can

How to make a distillation cube from a pressure cooker (multicooker)

Diagram of a moonshine still based on a pressure cooker:

This is the minimum program for a beginner. Today, every second person tries to make a moonshine still with his own hands from a pressure cooker. And there is a completely logical explanation for this:

• price - the cost of the most inexpensive pressure cooker is 1500-1700 rubles, which is quite acceptable for any budget;
• tightness is an absolutely sealed device that does not require any additional manipulations;
• ease of insertion of fittings into the cover - everyone can cope with this.

The downside, it should be noted, is much more significant than all the advantages - this is the volume. The bowl of the largest household pressure cooker is only 6 liters, respectively, the mash will fit only 4.5 liters, since the volume of the total should not exceed 2/3 parts. With this amount of home brew, after double distillation, you will get a little less than 750 ml of moonshine. You can try, but you will hardly be able to taste it.

In the place of the valve on the cover, screw the fitting to which you attach the connecting hose (silicone or copper).

If you don't want to reinvent the wheel and look for a suitable option for making a cube, get a ready-made one. The average price of such an element depends on the volume - 12-liter up to 4000 rubles, 25-liter - from 5500 rubles, etc.

Moonshine still from a pressure cooker with a steamer on the video:

Refrigerator

An equally important element of a home-made moonshine still, on which the speed of distillation and the volume of the finished drink depend.

If the water in the refrigerator is not cold enough, the volume of moonshine is reduced by 15-20%.

Refrigerators for moonshine still are divided into 2 types:

• flowing;
• cumulative.

In running water, as the name suggests, it constantly moves through the coil, not having time to heat up. In order to make such a unit, it is enough to bring two hoses to the container - the incoming, as a rule, from the tap, and the outgoing - from where the water comes out into the sink.

The storage tank is a closed container where water is first poured and drained as it warms up. This is the worst version of the refrigerator, since it does not fully and constantly cool the coil, thereby reducing condensation and reducing the amount of the final product.

A storage refrigerator is installed only if it is not possible to make a flow-through one. Precisely there is no opportunity, not laziness or no time.

Flow-through refrigerator for moonshine still

This type of equipment is quite compact in size, where the main area is occupied by the coil. The refrigerator itself is closed on both sides, but two pipes are connected to it - receiving and discharging water. Making a refrigerator with your own hands is not difficult, but at the same time it is necessary to ensure that it is even in relation to the apparatus so that the water moves constantly.

A flow-through refrigerator is more efficient, in contrast to a storage refrigerator, even with a smaller coil. At the junction of the two media, the tube is instantly cooled, which ensures faster separation of fractions.

You will need:

• weaving pipe and adapter - 300 mm;
• 2 meters of bellows hose for coil;
• half-inch nipples;
• 3 half-inch nuts;
• soldering iron;
• gun and silicone;

Procedure:

2. Make holes on the pipe and cut off the plastic with a knife

7. All that fonites and comes through, fill with sealant, the vessel must be completely sealed.

As such a device, a bucket or tank with a volume of about 20-30 liters is usually used, where a hole is made in the lower segment for a collection of water.

In non-flowing devices, water is always drained from the top, and always poured into the refrigerator from the bottom.

The simplest and most affordable is a regular plastic bucket. In winter, it is easier with such an improvised device, since you can put snow or ice, which is much better for cooling the coil than water.

When choosing a storage refrigerator, try to keep the temperature in the distillation cube on a minimum fire in order to reduce the amount of alcohol-containing steam released and, as a result, increase the volume of the finished moonshine.

To test how efficiently the coil is cooling, periodically sample the dispensing moonshine on your wrist. Ideally, it should be cool, worse if warm, and very bad when the drink is hot - in this case, a third of the steam comes out unprocessed. In addition, it is also dangerous, since the distillation cube is heated over an open fire, alcohol can catalyze and there will be a big trouble.

Coil

The best coil material is copper. It is a relatively inert material that does not react with alcoholic materials, has good thermal conductivity and an adequate price.

Those who are really professionally engaged in the preparation of moonshine only have a copper moonshine still based on such a coil. Any experiments. Including those with fragile glass, they are fraught with the loss of the quality of the drink and raw materials.

How to make a coil

Before proceeding with the description, we note that a coil is a tube connected to a distillation still (if there is a dry pot, with it) and placed in cold water, through which alcohol-containing vapors move and the fractions are separated into gas and moonshine.

The longer the coil and the more compact its spirals, the more the steam is cooled and the greater the amount of condensate.

You will need:

• copper tube with a diameter of 15-20 mm and a length of 2000 mm;
• base for screwing the tube, fixed in a vice.

Before starting to wind the tube onto the base, it must be filled with sand. This is done in order to exclude deflection or one-sided deformation, which will further retain condensate. Close the tube with a wooden or cardboard chop on one side, pour sand in a thin stream, periodically tapping it on the table so that the sand is well compacted. When the tube is clogged to the eyeballs, close the other end with a similar chop and start winding it onto the base, making even turns and trying not to touch each other.

This is what a ready-made coil looks like, which is immersed in a refrigerator and connected with hoses through fittings to a cube or dry steam generator.

This completes the assembly of the mandatory elements of the moonshine still, it remains only to find out which hoses can be used and which materials are acceptable when working with alcohol.

In the meantime, let's dwell on such an optional but extremely useful device like

Sukhoparnik

We do not know whether there were any discussions about the need for a dry tank in those ancient times, which was written at the beginning of the article. But now there is a fierce debate on this issue. Some insist that fusel oils should be removed to the maximum, while others claim that it is useless and a waste of time.

Without actively taking either one or the other position, we will cite only dry facts.

The dry pot is really not an integral part of the moonshine still, and install it at will. Structurally, this capacity is 10 times smaller in volume than the distillation cube, which is located between it and the coil.

The main task of the steam generator is to instantly reduce pressure and, as a result, temperature due to different media. When steam enters this container, it suddenly becomes liquid, but immediately it is pushed out by the next portion of hot alcohol-containing steam from the cube. And although this is only an instant, during this time some of the fusel oils have time to settle on the walls of the dry greenhouse. With a double or even triple distillation, the fuselage practically does not remain in the finished drink, which has a very favorable effect on health.

How does a dry pot works according to the laws of physics

While water is boiling in the distillation still, alcohol begins to evolve and evaporate. Taking into account the fact that boiling is a rather violent process, the alcohol fractions have time to "pick up" the heavier fractions of fusel oils. Probably everyone has heard that moonshine is often called fusel oil - precisely because of the characteristic smell that fusel oils emit. The less fuselage in the moonshine, the less aggressive its aroma and more acceptable taste. It will not be possible to completely get rid of oils, this can only be obtained using a distillation column, but no one set as their goal to get medical alcohol.

The vast majority of alcoholic beverages are bourbon, whiskey, rum, calvados, etc. made on the basis of moonshine with a certain amount of fusel oils. The production process differs in nuances, but in general it is the most commonplace distillation of mash.

Catching fusel oils with a dry steamer allows you to make the drink, on the one hand, less robust and "fragrant", on the other hand, it is safer for health with an almost imperceptible feeling of a hangover (if used wisely).

Particularly widespread is the use of three dry tanks at once, located relative to each other in a cascade. With such an organization, the strength of the drink reaches 80% already on the first run. It will indeed be a very high-quality and maximally purified product that can be consumed immediately after distillation, and not wait until it is purified with a carbon filter or potassium permanganate.

Three cans in a cascade is the optimal amount. Less is not enough, more is a waste of time, since after the third can, each subsequent one does not perform any function.

How to make a dry pot from a can

We remind you that the volume of the container should be 10 times less than the volume of the distillation cube. If you have a 20-liter cube, take a 2-liter jar, and a 30-liter can, respectively, a 3-liter one.

The method for preparing such an element is quite simple and suitable for any volume. All manipulations are carried out with the lid - holes are made and fittings are cut. Then the lid can be put on any jar with a threaded neck.

You will need:

• screw cap from the can;
• 2 fittings;
• connecting tubes.

Cut 2 holes in the cover - they can be made with a screwdriver in a circle or with a knife, so that there are no burrs.

Insert the fittings and connect with the hoses.

The steamer is placed immediately after the distillation cube. Anywhere else, it is useless. It is necessary to periodically drain the accumulated liquid so that the excess does not get into the coil and does not spoil the taste and aroma of the product.

By the way, the dry stew can be used not only as a trap for fusel oils, but also as a flavoring agent for moonshine. Here, the same process of sharp cooling of the steam and its movement takes place, but with the collected amber of berries or herbs.

As an aromatic component in a jar, you can use:

• dried fruits - apples, pears, apricots;
• berries - any, preferably dried, they give off more smell;
• spices - any to taste, you can hops, suneli, cinnamon, vanilla, etc.;
• aromatic herbs;
• citrus fruits - orange peel, lemon zest.

Since this aroma binding will be subtle and not tasted at all, a wide variety of additives can be tried. In this case, experiments will only be beneficial, even if the result is not impressive.

Connecting tubes

A ready-made moonshine still is a detachable connection of all required elements using threaded connections. There is no need to look for additional pipes and choose their quality in order to connect everything together.

There are completely permanent connections, for example, the lids of a distillation cube, a steamer and a refrigerator. This is done to facilitate labor and installation.

You can, of course, make the work easier when assembling a home-made moonshine still by connecting all three pipes by welding, but this will not in any way affect the taste of the final product, but leaving it can make it very difficult.

The best way to connect the elements is a silicone hose. Some people do not understand the difference between PVC and silicone and do not even pay much attention to their choice. Let's explain - PVC is non-inert material with respect to alcohol. Upon contact with hot alcohol-containing steam and alcohol, PVC releases toxic substances, which in a high degree of concentration are destructive to humans. It is clear that nothing will happen to you in 1-2 times, but if we are talking about systemic use, it is better to refuse such a connection.

How to distinguish silicone from polyvinyl chloride (PVC)

Set fire to a piece of both material. PVC burns hard, smoky, with a very specific smell. Silicone burns with a subtle aroma, does not smoke, after combustion, light ash remains.

Silicone is much more pleasant to the touch than PVC, it looks like silky.

If suddenly you are faced with a dilemma - silicone or pvc - outside in frost, know that silicone remains flexible and elastic even at -10, and polyvinyl chloride hardens, although it does not lose its properties.

Which metal is suitable for use

Despite the abundance of opinions on this matter, there can be only one definite answer - food grade stainless steel. It is this material that does not react with any of the elements in the brewing chain, it is easy to maintain and operate. And for all the time it does not form deposits of little use for health.

Previously, it was believed that copper was "the head of everything", since copper moonshine was ubiquitous. However, this is a misconception. Copper became actively used during the Soviet era. Since it was an affordable material both in price and in quantity. If we talk about a really correct tincture, then there is nothing better to find an oak barrel. Oxygen appears through its walls, aldehydes and ethers evaporate, which, by the way, are formed, among other things, upon contact with the hot alcohol vapor of the copper elements of the apparatus.

Aluminum reacts negatively to vinegar, which is always present in the mash. At the same time, poisonous salts are released - alum.

Also considered optimal is glass, which is inert (inactive) to aggressive environments, but the kitchen of a moonshiner is not much like a laboratory, moreover, this material is very fragile.

Of course, poisoning or dying is more likely from general intoxication with alcohol abuse or the purchase of low-quality products than from copper oxide. Moreover, as a coil, copper has no analogues at all in terms of thermal conductivity and manufacturability. Therefore, the combined combination of materials is quite justified. It can be a cube made of stainless food steel or an aluminum can, and a refrigerator with a copper coil in a stainless or plastic case.

And finally, a video on how to make a moonshine still with your own hands

The history of the development of vodka

Psychology and alcoholism

Nevertheless, alcoholism has its own clear physical manifestations, when alcohol enters the bloodstream, the release of endorphin (the hormone of happiness) occurs. Naturally, a person feels good and there is a slight feeling of euphoria. After several such "manifestations" of happiness, the body gets used to the good and the production of endorphin is blocked (blocked, but does not disappear at all), a person begins to require this hormone from the outside. Isn't it very similar to drug addiction?

Physiological considerations alone are not enough to address alcoholism. Many people drink alcohol on holidays to relax or "for appetite", but do not begin to abuse it. Consequently, the alcoholic does not differ from any other person outwardly, the alcoholic does not have a certain social status or any other difference at the initial stage.

To understand the causes of alcoholism, it is worth looking at each case. One way or another, the use of alcoholism is aimed at obtaining, albeit strange, but, happiness. And a person can have happiness in anything. When treating alcoholism, at the very beginning, determine what pleasure alcohol gives a person, because the main goal of an alcohol abuser is not to get drunk and get drunk, but to have fun.

Let's take a look at a few typical reasons. Internal experiences, for any reason, can become the cause. A person taking alcohol, begins to forget about their experiences and move away from reality. Dissatisfaction with one's social status, the way things are going at work, or the general course of things are no less frequent reasons. Alcohol gives such a necessary feeling of pleasure, removes a person from reality and a person gets the calmness he needs.

Pain, physical or mental, is a common cause of alcoholism and drug addiction. Although alcohol (in particular, medical alcohol) is used in medicine, it is worth considering that it is only a disinfectant and it is clearly not for ingestion. The feeling of joy caused by endorphins dulls physical pain and makes you forget about mental pain. In cases of people with some kind of disability, mental pain is inseparable from physical pain.

Sometimes a person starts drinking out of routine, he needs changes, he needs new feelings, and not the “joy of alcohol”.

It is sometimes very difficult to determine at first glance what is the cause of alcoholism, but you need to listen to this person and try to understand his thought and reason. To determine the cause is to give a start to the beginning of treatment. Remember that not only the patient himself should be strong, but also the one who is ready to help him. Alcoholism often aggravates and leads to sad consequences that society, relatives, friends, turn away from the alcoholic and do not want to help him.

Types of strong alcohol

Alcoholism treatment

It is necessary to give a person what he wants, wants to change the course of affairs - to help him, to encourage him, to offer a new field of activity, and if necessary - to help start “life from scratch”. If it's about worries, try to establish contact with this person, learn about his problem, cheer up and solve it. If it’s a matter of pain, it’s worth remembering that alcohol is not a medicine, and it will not heal from illness or injury, it will only make it worse. Physical pain can be drowned out with drugs, but alcohol is not the right drug. If medicines do not help much, you can always look for other specialists and other treatments, but does not choose alcohol as the best medicine.

Make it clear to the person that he is not alone, that he is not sick and has renounced everyone. Give him the feeling that he is really needed, you, family, friends, loved ones need him. Find a new occupation for the alcoholic, at least some, so long as it does not harm him and, most importantly, he likes it. Make it clear to the person that alcohol is not his friend, but a "demon" who, under the guise of a virtue, kills him.

Home brewing Is a whole wonderful world. One has only to try a drink made with your own hands once - and you will understand that store drinks do not cause almost any emotions. But, as in any business, without some knowledge even the first pancake may come out lumpy in the area.

Beginners who are just starting to take the first step in making alcohol on their own ask a thousand and one questions:

1. alcohol mashine?
2. What's happened ?
3. Why in home brewing?
4. How to make it yourself?
5. How to do it at home?
6. What should it be?

What's better - purchased or homemade? Which device will work smoothly for decades, and which will require vigilant attention and continuous maintenance?

Device, types and rating of the best

We have prepared a number of articles for you, after reading which you will become a real ace. Everything related to the device of moonshine stills, a description of the physical and chemical processes, technologies and, of course, detailed.

Try to start small - by reading the article about. The simple and intelligible language used by our authors is aimed at ensuring that all the nuances of home brewing are easily understood by people who are far from the profession of a technologist. Following tips and tricks in this section, in a few days you will understand all the important nuances of production.

Also, this section will be useful to relatives of people keen on home brewing. We will help you find exactly the one gift a moonshine still appreciated by your loved one.

And, believe me, the most difficult thing is take the first step... But we did our best to make this step a little easier for you.

The moonshine still is designed to produce a strong alcoholic drink from a liquid with a small amount of ethyl alcohol (mash). This uses a distillation (distillation) process.

To make a moonshine still with our own hands, we need to know its main components:

• Distillation cube;
• Serpentine or refrigerator;
• Connecting hoses;
• Dephlegmator or dry steam generator.

Distillation cube (distillation capacity)

For a distillation pot at home, it's best to use a pressure cooker. The pressure cooker is readily available. Many people already have it at home, and if not, it is easy to buy it. The second advantage of the pressure cooker is its excellent tightness. To get rid of unnecessary pressure, the pressure cookers are equipped with a special fitting. If you remove the valve from this fitting, you will get a ready-made hole for the exit of alcohol vapors. The fitting is connected to the coil (refrigerator). For this, a metal tube (stainless steel or copper) is used. A hose can also be used for this purpose.

In addition to the pressure cooker, many other distillation vessel options can be used. They can be copper, aluminum, stainless steel or glass. The main requirement is that the container must be hermetically closed.

Serpentine (refrigerator)

If moonshine is planned to be made in small quantities, then a laboratory refrigerator (straight-through or ball-type) is a good fit for home conditions. You can buy such a refrigerator anywhere where laboratory equipment is sold. By the way, it is possible to assemble a completely finished distillation apparatus from laboratory equipment (the distillation still will also be made of glass). True, at home, such a design will not be very practical. After all, glass is a rather fragile thing.

A coil refrigerator is more reliable than a glass refrigerator. Plus, it's cheaper. It is made from a metal tube, such as copper. You can buy such a tube at any hardware store or market. To make a coil out of the tube, you have to work a little with your hands - wind it several times around a pipe of a suitable diameter. To prevent the tube from bursting, sand should be poured into it before the procedure.

The coil is inserted into some container. The main thing is that it should be easy to process. For example, it could be a plastic bottle. The place where the coil enters and the place where it leaves the container must be well sealed. Then 2 more holes are made in the container. Coolant (water) is supplied to one of them, and it leaves in the other. The coolant is supplied from below.

Connection hoses

As already noted, the distillation cube and refrigerator can be connected to each other either with a metal tube or with a hose.

The hose must be made of silicone only. Silicone is a chemically inert material. It does not react with heated alcohol vapors. Accordingly, the finished product will not have any foreign smell and taste. If you use a rubber hose, then the moonshine will turn out to be terribly smelly. Silicone hoses are sold in the same place as all laboratory equipment.

Moonshine still with reflux condenser

The above-described scheme for making a moonshine still at home has only one drawback - fusel oils and other unnecessary substances get into the moonshine. Because of this, its qualities, including taste, are reduced.

Why is this happening? When the mash boils, the components with a low boiling point (low-boiling) evaporate first. The longer the boiling process lasts, the more the concentration of heavy-boiling components in the finished product increases, and these are fusel oils and other elements that are absolutely unnecessary for us.

To combat this negative phenomenon, the do-it-yourself moonshine still is supplemented with another device. It is called a dephlegmator (or dry steam generator). The dephlegmator is placed between the distillation tank and the refrigerator. By itself, it is a container, from 1 to 3 liters in volume. The heaviest boiling components are condensed in the reflux condenser. Dangerous substances are the first to enter the dephlegmator, where they condense and no longer boil.

For the manufacture of a reflux condenser, in addition to a can with a metal lid (must be tightly closed), you need 2 fittings with an external thread, 2 nuts, an awl, a felt-tip pen and heat-resistant glue. The dephlegmator is made like this:

• Attach the fitting to the lid of the can and circle it with a felt-tip pen;
• Use an awl to make holes. To do this, you need to drive an awl along the drawn lines until the metal is frayed;
• Insert and secure with union nuts, sealing on both sides with heat-resistant glue or cold welding;
• Connect the reflux condenser with a distillation vessel and a refrigerator, also hermetically. In this case, the tube entering the dephlegmator should be one and a half centimeters lower than the one leaving.

The most primitive moonshine still

At home, the easiest way is to make a moonshine still without using a dephlegmator or even a coil. But ease of manufacture will be its only advantage.

A large saucepan is taken (up to 50 liters, or even more) and mash is poured into it. A container is placed on the surface of the wash to collect the finished product. Also, this container can be installed on some kind of stand so that it is above the surface of the wash.
Then a bowl of cold water is placed on top of an open pan. Then the structure is sealed with clay or dough. Thus, a bowl of cold water performs 2 functions at the same time: a condenser-cooler and a lid.

It works like this. The saucepan is put on the fire, the mash begins to boil and its vapors touch the cold bottom of the bowl. Then condensate drips into a container installed above the wash. The quality of moonshine with this method of its production is extremely low, because there can be no question of any separation of vapors. Most likely, it is impossible to assemble a more primitive apparatus than this one at home.

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How to make a simple moonshine still with your own hands

Nowadays, given the large amount of counterfeit alcohol in stores, more and more of our compatriots are inclined towards making moonshine at home. Now the law does not provide for punishment for moonshine for personal purposes, so this is a good solution for those who want to have one hundred percent high-quality alcohol at their feasts. Today, the stores offer a huge variety of a wide variety of moonshine stills, ranging from the simplest distillers to almost professional home alcohol mini-factories. The price also ranges from quite acceptable to very impressive amounts.

But still, for a novice moonshiner, it is better to use a home-made moonshine still. First, it will be cheaper than buying off-the-shelf equipment. Secondly, without really understanding moonshine equipment, you can spoil expensive equipment, and in the process of making a moonshine still, you will begin to understand what is needed for and how exactly distillation takes place. Thirdly, and this applies not only to beginners, when buying a home-made moonshine still ready-made, you will not be sure of its quality or you may even run into a fake.

In this material, we will try to reveal in as much detail as possible all the subtleties of how to make a moonshine still at home. We will consider the classic version of the distiller. You can hardly use it to make exclusive or exotic drinks like Calvados or whiskey, but it is time-tested, simple, reliable and inexpensive to assemble.

The design of the simplest moonshine still

The simplest scheme of a moonshine still consists of a distillation cube and a refrigerator. Mash boils in the distillation cube, and alcohol vapors settle in the refrigerator, resulting in the formation of moonshine. However, this simple moonshine still will saturate the drink with fusel oils and other harmful impurities. To get rid of them, it is necessary to add more to the design, or, as it is also called, a dephlegmator. We will tell you how to make a moonshine still from improvised means, with minimal financial investment.

Distillation cube

So, the first element that we will consider is the alembic. A distillation cube is a container in which the mash will boil in the process of distilling moonshine. What can it be made of?

Most often, in old, still Soviet devices, there is a cube made of aluminum. The alembic was made from a flask or can, in which milk was previously transported. It is not recommended to use such material for the manufacture of a moonshine still, because aluminum partially reacts with various acids and alcohol in the wash. In addition to the fact that unnecessary impurities appear in the moonshine, with frequent use, the aluminum distillation cube begins to flow and breaks down after a short time.

Enameled dishes. This material is neutral to acids and alcohol. If you use it carefully, do not bump or scratch, it can last long enough even with frequent use. However, a pot moonshine still can be difficult to seal well. Craftsmen have also learned how to make cubes from a milking machine's cistern for cows, but this option is unlikely to suit a city dweller.

The safest option is food grade stainless steel. Such a cube will serve for a long time, it does not come into contact with the wash, due to which additional harmful impurities in the finished product are excluded. However, cubes made of this material are quite expensive, and they often sell ordinary galvanized steel under the guise of stainless steel, and this is also not so durable.

You can use a copper container as a cube, but as a rule, this is too expensive an option for a moonshine still.

The volume of the distillation still needs to be chosen according to the volume in which you are going to produce moonshine. Ideal for household needs from 25 to 35 liters.
Important to observe one rule! Never fill the distillation cube completely; you need to fill it to about 80%. This is done for safety reasons, so that during boiling the pressure in the cube does not exceed the allowable value and the cube does not burst. When choosing a container for a distillation still, pay attention to the width of the neck. It should be large enough so that it is convenient to pour the mash and wash the cube after distillation.

Do not forget about the size of the container as well. The cube must fit on the stove, be stable and not obstruct access to the entire apparatus.

You can make an electric moonshine still. For him, a distillation cube is made from a pressure cooker. It has a small volume, but it has its advantages - it is not required to use a stove, since it has its own heater, and it is initially sealed. You only need to make a hole in the lid for the steam outlet.

A milk can, preferably made of steel, works best. This is the easiest option. It is only necessary to change the rubber gasket under the lid to a silicone one, because alcohol vapors absorb harmful substances from the rubber. This will certainly affect the quality, taste and smell of the finished product.

How to do it yourself: remove the rubber gasket, then apply silicone sealant to the edges of the lid and leave to dry. Repeat several times. Put cellophane on the neck of the can and close the lid. Keep in this way until completely dry. This will make an excellent silicone seal.

Moonshine refrigerator

The refrigerator in the moonshine still plays a very important role - it is in it that alcohol vapors condense and the finished product flows from there. To make a refrigerator, it is enough to understand how the principle of its operation works.

There are two types of refrigerator - direct flow and coil. The straight-through cooler consists of a straight metal tube that is inserted into a tube with a wider diameter. Water flows continuously through this pipe, performing the function of a refrigerant. You can make a simple refrigerator for a moonshine still using a copper tube up to 10 mm in diameter and a polypropylene pipe with a diameter of more than 20 mm. Fittings with plugs are screwed onto a polypropylene pipe, holes with a diameter of a copper tube are drilled into them. The copper tube will need to be inserted into these holes and the slots sealed. The copper tube is connected to the distillation cube, and the fittings are connected to the water tap.

Coils are made of glass, copper, aluminum or food grade stainless steel. Copper and aluminum have good thermal conductivity, and it is easy to make a coil from them. But they have disadvantages - they are oxidized by alcohol vapor, so they must be cleaned with vinegar or citric acid after each distillation. It is impossible to make a glass coil on your own; you can buy it in a special store. However, they are very fragile, so it is not recommended to use such devices. Food steel does not oxidize and does not emit any substances into the finished product, however, the thermal conductivity of steel is three to four times lower than that of copper. The best option is considered to be a copper coil. In some countries, copper is even the only approved material for the manufacture of distillers. But it must be constantly cleaned.

The longer the coil tube, the more contact with the cooling element, but too long tubes have poor performance. The best option is 1.5-2 meters. The inner diameter of the tube is approximately 8-12 mm.

The copper tube must be twisted in a spiral with a small distance between the turns. The coil itself is lowered into a reservoir with a cooler, usually with water. Systems are closed - water is constantly in the tank and does not circulate, and open - water is constantly moving. A closed refrigerator is easier to manufacture and consumes less water, but its characteristics are worse - even if you regularly change the water, it heats up quickly enough, as a result of which alcohol condenses poorly. Therefore, the losses of moonshine are quite large. An open system is more difficult to manufacture, but moonshine condenses better and its quality is higher.

The easiest and cheapest option is to wind the copper pipe into a spiral with an outer diameter of about 100 mm, and use a 110 mm piece of sewer pipe as a reservoir. On the sides of the pipe, drill two small holes for the silicone pipes leading to the coil, place the spiral inside and close the pipe with special plugs on both sides. Drill holes in them for the cold water inlet and outlet hoses. It is necessary to connect the structure to the water supply in such a way that the cold water flows in the opposite direction to the steam movement.

These elements are designed to remove fusel oils and other harmful impurities from steam. The principle of operation of the device is that the condensation temperature of these impurities is lower than the condensation temperature of alcohol, therefore, alcohol vapor passing through these devices is purified from fusel oil vapors.

A vial can be made from a regular glass jar with a screw cap. Drill two holes in the lid for the inlet and outlet of vapors, screw the fittings into them and connect the hoses. Then the lid is screwed to the jar. The inlet tube must be lowered 15-30 mm below the outgoing one. Alcohol vapors will come out through the discharge tube, and fusel oil vapors will settle on the walls of the can. The dry greenhouse made in this way is easy to clean and rinse.

The bubbler performs the same function as the dry box. The difference is that the alcohol vapor passes through the water layer. In the bubbler, the inlet tube goes down almost to the bottom of the can, not reaching 2-3 cm. Before distillation, cold water must be poured into the bubbler. The outlet tube should not touch the water.

How to assemble a simple moonshine still

Assembling the device is very simple. A hole must be drilled to the lid of the distillation cube, to which the steam outlet pipe must be connected. This tube is connected to a steam generator or bubbler, and from there it is connected to the refrigerator. The refrigerator with an open cooling system must be connected to the water supply and drain. A container for the finished product is placed or connected under the outlet tube of the coil. The assembly of the moonshine still is complete.

Pay attention to the material of which all connecting hoses are made. It is best to use food grade silicone, it does not react with alcohol vapors in any way. The main thing is not to confuse it with pvc pipes, which begin to melt from high temperatures and harmful impurities are added to alcohol vapors. You can also not use rubber, due to the fact that alcohol vapors absorb harmful substances from this material.

It is not recommended to seal the entire structure tightly after assembly. Tubes should be made easily removable, while the connection should be tight. If the tubes are made non-removable, then it will be very inconvenient to maintain, wash and carry the assembled apparatus.

If desired, you can install thermometers on the distillation cube or the distiller itself to make it easier to control the temperature of the process.

That's all, the home distillery is ready. Now you know how to make a do-it-yourself moonshine still. You can put on the mash and start distilling, you can get your high-quality alcohol at home.

If you still have questions about making a moonshine still, you can see photos and videos, where each step is described in detail. Descriptions and drawings of all devices can be found there.