Although there are many home distillers of different price categories on the market, experienced moonshiners prefer to make the equipment themselves or order it from trusted craftsmen using their own drawings and diagrams.

The advantage of this approach is not only cost savings. Often, a home-made moonshine still is more reliable and practical than most store-bought models with incomprehensible elements that contradict the laws of physics, installed only to attract buyers and raise the price. Next we will look at the classic design of a moonshine still (distiller), which has no equal in simplicity and efficiency.

Scheme of operation of a moonshine still with a steamer

Connecting elements

Intermediates play an important role. If you choose the wrong pipes or sealant, the moonshine turns out to be cloudy, with a nasty aftertaste, foul-smelling and even hazardous to health. Therefore, we will begin our consideration of the design with the connecting elements.

You should not “tightly” weld all the tubes together; this simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the device, but during cleaning it causes a lot of problems.

Metal tubes made of stainless steel, aluminum or copper, as well as alcohol-inert food or medical silicone hoses are most often used as a transport system. In terms of economy, safety, ease of maintenance and operation, the best option is food grade stainless steel tubes.

It is important to be able to distinguish silicone hoses from those made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride, when in contact with hot steam, saturates alcohol with toxic substances). PVC burns with a lot of smoke and an unpleasant odor. Silicone does not smoke when burned and leaves a subtle odor and light ash. Silicone tubes feel much softer to the touch than PVC tubes, and their price is about twice as high.

Left - silicone, right - PVC

To branch turns, change from one diameter to another and connect different parts in metal pipelines, fittings and unions are used, which can be found in plumbing stores or at construction markets. Fittings made of brass, bronze and stainless steel (the best option) for heating systems that can withstand high temperatures and pressure are suitable for the manufacture of a moonshine still. For sealing purposes, the use of heat-resistant glue and cold welding is allowed, the main thing is to avoid rubber gaskets.

You can also use an organic substance to seal the tubes - ordinary dough, which does not affect the distillate. There are two disadvantages: it takes a lot of time to knead and seal joints, and after distillation, the dried dough has to be scraped off.

Sealing with dough is a touch of ancient traditions followed by scraping :)

The assembled moonshine still must be sealed. If steam leaks through the tubes, it is better to stop distillation, allow the equipment to cool, repair the breakdown, and only then continue distillation. Depressurization is not only dangerous due to fire, but also leads to significant losses of moonshine (10-70%).

Alembic

It is a container in which the mash boils during the heating process. Options:

1. Material. Aluminum - most often found in “Soviet” moonshine stills due to the widespread use of aluminum milk cans. Aluminum partially reacts with acids and alcohol in the mash, so with frequent use, aluminum stills (especially old ones) become unusable after six months - a leak appears.

Enameled cookware is neutral to acids and alcohols. When used correctly (without bumps or scratches to the enamel) it can last 3-5 years even with regular use.

Food-grade stainless steel is the best and most reliable option, but stainless steel cubes are expensive; they often sell ordinary galvanized or nickel-plated steel under their guise, which is not so durable.

Copper cubes are also suitable, however, in most cases this is an unreasonably expensive solution, especially for novice moonshiners.

2. Volume and dimensions. The volume of the still depends on the needs of the moonshiner; the best option for home use is 25-35 liters.

Attention! For safety reasons, the distillation cube can be filled with mash to a maximum of 80% of the volume; take this into account when choosing a container. It is also very important that the lid is removable and the neck width is large enough for comfortable cleaning of the container after distillation.

The volume of the cube is calculated based on the needs for the finished product. For example, in a 30-liter container, in one distillation you can get up to 2.88 liters of pure alcohol (or 7.2 liters of moonshine with a strength of 40%). The maximum mash load is 24 liters (30 * 0.8 = 24). The average strength of properly made mash is 12%. The amount of distillate at the output is 24 * 0.12 = 2.88 (in terms of absolute alcohol with a strength of 100%). In practice, there will always be losses of moonshine of 8-15%.

We should not forget about the dimensions. At a minimum, the distillation cube must be placed on a stove or other heating element, be stable and not block the access to the entire apparatus. This is the basis of safety precautions.

3. Selecting a suitable container. Often, home moonshine stills use containers that were originally intended for other needs: milk cans, pressure cookers, or large enamel pans.

The cube must be reliable - it will expand when heated, and withstand high temperatures and pressure (180-220 Pa). Homemade welded containers are very dangerous, as there is a risk that the welding seam will burst at the most inopportune moment.

A significant drawback of pressure cooker cubes is their small volume, but these containers are initially airtight. The only modification required is to drill a hole in the lid for the steam outlet tube. described in a separate article.

You can’t distill a lot of mash in a pressure cooker at one time - the volume of the cube is too small

Enameled pans are convenient because the spent mash can not be poured, but can be immediately put into distillation as is (this is wrong, since the heated sediment increases the amount of harmful impurities in the moonshine and worsens the aroma and taste). The disadvantage of the pan is that it is difficult to seal the lid.

A milk can made of aluminum or stainless steel is the most practical solution. The only drawback of cans that requires mandatory elimination is the rubber gasket on the lid. The fact is that alcohol vapor absorbs substances from rubber, this negatively affects the quality, taste and smell of moonshine. Rubber gaskets must be replaced with silicone ones (made from aquarium silicone).

A can with built-in heating elements is cheap and practical. There are two holes on the top for steam and a thermometer.

How to make a distillation cube for a moonshine still from a can

It is not enough to correctly determine the volume of the container; you also need to prepare the cube for use - drill a hole for steam, seal the lid and connections. Next we will look at modifying the container using an old milk can as an example, but this method of sealing the lid is also suitable in other cases.

Can refinement technology:

1. Remove the rubber gasket from the cover.

2. Apply aquarium silicone sealant to the metal edges of the lid and leave until completely dry. Repeat the procedure 2-3 more times.

3. Place cellophane on the neck of the can and close the lid. Leave for a couple of hours until completely dry. You will get a silicone seal that replaces the rubber gasket.

Result

An alternative, simpler method of sealing is to overlap the rubber with several layers of fum tape and boil for 60 minutes in boiling water.

4. Make a hole in the can lid to connect to a coil or steamer. If the internal diameter of the coil is 12 mm, the suitable hole for the pipe in the can is 22 mm and the thread is 0.5 inches. Adapters are sold at plumbing supply stores.

To extend its service life, wash the can after each distillation with soap and plenty of running water. The use of soda and other cleaning products is strictly prohibited.

Moonshine still refrigerator

It consists of two parts - a coil (twisted tube) and a reservoir for cooling this tube. The cooling compartment is the most important element of the entire structure, the functioning of which determines the quantity and quality of moonshine.

Coil parameters

1. Material. It must not react with alcohol (or have minimal contact), be safe and non-toxic, withstand high temperatures (up to 100°C), and have high thermal conductivity. Based on the requirements, four options are possible: copper, aluminum, stainless steel (food grade) and glass.

Copper has the highest thermal conductivity; another advantage is its relative ease of processing (soldering is possible). But this material has one feature - the copper coil requires periodic cleaning with vinegar or citric acid with boiling water (preferably after each distillation), otherwise the plaque accumulated after oxidation with alcohol will negatively affect the quality of the moonshine.

All moonshiners complaining about copper do not clean their devices well. In world distilling practice, copper is considered the best or even the only permitted material (France, Scotland) for the manufacture of distillers (alambics). Light oxidation of copper with alcohol helps improve the taste, since it reduces the amount of impurities with a bad odor, and increases the concentration of substances that make moonshine soft.

The second most thermally conductive material for a coil is aluminum (1.6 times worse than copper). The advantages of aluminum are availability, low cost and ease of processing. But there is also a drawback - minimal oxidation, which, unlike copper, does not release useful substances into moonshine, so aluminum coils are not very common.

In terms of thermal conductivity, food grade stainless steel is 3-4 times inferior to copper. But this material does not react with alcohol and does not oxidize. Another disadvantage, along with low thermal conductivity, is the relative complexity of processing.

It is not possible to make a glass coil at home; without special equipment it is easier to buy a ready-made laboratory device. Glass is inert towards alcohol, but is very fragile and has low thermal conductivity.

Copper coil is the best, but requires regular cleaning

2. Dimensions and thickness of the tube. The longer the tube, the larger the contact area of ​​the steam with the cooling element. But there is also a side effect of a long length - hydraulic resistance increases (condensed vapors move through the tube already in a liquid state), which reduces the distillation speed.

The optimal length of the coil tube (before the bend) is 1.5-2 meters.

The larger the internal diameter of the coil (section), the lower the hydraulic resistance and the more efficient the cooling (due to an increase in the area of ​​contact of the steam with the walls). But very large diameter tubes are bulky, require a lot of water for cooling and are difficult to process, so you have to look for a “golden mean”.

The minimum wall thickness increases thermal conductivity, which improves the condensation of alcohol vapors. But tubes that are too thin are very fragile and, with intensive use of the moonshine still, quickly break.

Suitable coil thickness is 0.9-1.1 mm.

3. Orientation in space. There are three connection options: horizontal, vertical and inclined.

All other things being equal, the vertical arrangement of the coil is the most correct, since the condensed moonshine flows into the receiving container by gravity, without creating obstacles to the movement of alcohol vapor. Steam can be supplied to a vertical coil from above or below. To minimize resistance, it is correct to direct the steam to the top.

Refrigerator tank parameters

1. Substance. At home, the coil is cooled with air, water or ice. The vast majority of designs use water cooling as the simplest and most effective.

Air Cooling - Beautiful Looks, But Low Efficiency

2. Heat removal diagram. Systems can be open (work on running water) and closed (water remains in the tank without circulating, for example, a coil is lowered into a bucket). In terms of implementation and savings, closed systems are simpler and more profitable, but they cool the coil worse, which increases the loss of moonshine and has a bad effect on quality.

The bucket is a classic example of a closed water cooling circuit

Flow circuits are more difficult to manufacture, use more water or energy for pumping (circulating a stable volume of water in order to save money), but they require a smaller reservoir and, all other things being equal, produce a high-quality distillate.

From a properly made refrigerator (coil plus water circulation system), moonshine comes out cold or at room temperature, but not warm or hot. In this case, it is important to select the optimal heating intensity (not to exceed the maximum permissible heat supply power) so that the entire system effectively copes with steam condensation.

3. Direction of water supply. It is correct to supply water to the refrigerator from below, and remove it from above, so that the water moves towards the steam, creating a countercurrent, otherwise the lower part of the coil will not cool well.

Making a refrigerator (cooler)

You will need a copper, aluminum or stainless steel tube 1.5-2 meters long, 8-12 mm in diameter and 0.9-1.1 mm in wall thickness. A plastic or metal pipe with a diameter of 75-80 mm is suitable as a reservoir for installing the coil. A drawing of the moonshine still refrigerator is shown in the photo.

Sequencing:

1. Fill the coil tube with sand, soda or other dry, bulk material so that the metal does not flatten when curling. If you don’t have bulk materials on hand, you can simply fill the tube with water and freeze it.

2. Hammer the ends with wooden pegs (chops) so that the sand does not spill out. Can be tightly clamped or soldered. It is advisable to weld a nut on one end.

3. Wind the tube onto any smooth, cylindrical object with an even cross-section of suitable diameter (according to the drawing - 35 mm). The pitch between turns is 12 mm.

The number of turns in the coil is not of fundamental importance; with the values ​​of length, diameter and thickness indicated in the article, it is correct to make a step between turns of 12 mm.

4. Release the ends of the finished coil. Pour out the sand and rinse with water under pressure.

5. Install pipes for water supply and drainage on the cooler body.

6. Place the coil inside the housing. Install plugs at the top and bottom. Seal all connections.

Ready assembled cooler

The operating speed of the cooler of this design is up to 3 liters of moonshine per hour.

Steamer and bubbler

Optional, but desirable (especially for beginners) moonshine still modules.

A steam boiler is a sealed glass or metal container between the distillation cube and the refrigerator, into which the vapors are first cooled, and then some of the substances boil again and move into the coil.

The working principle of a steam steamer. Due to a sharp decrease in pressure (the volumes of the supply tube and the jar differ hundreds of times), the temperature drops, as a result the steam passes into the liquid phase (condenses), but is immediately heated by a new portion of hot steam from the cube, again turning into a gaseous state. But some of the water and fusel oils with a high boiling point do not have time to boil during this short moment of change in state of aggregation and remain at the bottom of the container.

Bubbler in a moonshine still– a device designed to pass alcohol vapor through a layer of liquid (water). Structurally, it differs from a steam steamer only in the presence of water in the container before distillation begins (not always), and in the fact that the steam supply tube is lowered into the can almost to the bottom. The purpose and principle of operation of the bubbler are the same as that of the steam steamer.

Connected steam tank Bubbler - the steam supply tube is lowered closer to the bottom, the distillate is flavored with lemon zest

Advantages of a steamer (bubbler):

• is protection against splashing - the ingress of mash into the finished moonshine when heated too much;
• makes the distillate stronger;
• cleans moonshine from some fusel oils (only a small part);
• allows you to flavor the alcohol during distillation (just put citrus fruit zest, apple slices, etc. in the jar).

It is advisable to use one steamer or bubbler in a moonshine still. Consecutive installation of 2-6 pieces only leads to an increase in the strength of the moonshine, but does not affect cleaning.

If the output moonshine is strong, for example, even 80-90 degrees, then this does not mean that the drink is well purified, there is simply water left in the steamers and (or) bubblers, which should have condensed in the coil, reducing the strength of the distillate. All harmful impurities that can be cleaned with a steamer remain in the first jar, and in subsequent jars only water is removed from the moonshine. You should not think that in terms of the degree of purification, 6-8 steamers can replace rectification or fractional distillation; this is physically impossible.

How to make a steamer or bubbler

The volume of the steamer (bubbler) container should be 10 times less than the volume of the distillation cube.

You will need:

• glass jar with a metal lid or other sealed container;
• 2 fittings;
• 2 nuts;
• marker;
• awl;
• heat-resistant glue or cold welding.

Instructions:

1. Mark the diameter of the holes at the intended connection points: attach the fittings to the cover and circle them with a marker.

2. Make holes. The easiest option is to move an awl along the drawn lines until the metal of the lid is rubbed through.

3. Install the fittings and secure with nuts. To seal, treat the holes on the outside and inside with cold welding or heat-resistant glue.

Inner side

Outer side

Bubbler manufacturing sequence

4. When connecting to a moonshine still, it should be taken into account that in the steamer the inlet tube should be 15-30 mm lower than the outlet tube (lowered deeper into the jar). In a bubbler, the incoming tube runs along the entire height of the jar, without touching the bottom at a distance of 2-3 cm.

If the bubbler is connected incorrectly (steam is supplied through the short end, but tries to escape through the long end), the pressure in the jar increases significantly and an explosion may occur!

There is only one drawback of bubblers and steamers from a jar - there is no drain for the accumulated liquid (you have to unscrew it), and during fractional distillation it is advisable to clean the container before collecting the “body” (the main fraction).

A more complex steamer with drain

Methods for heating a moonshine still

1. Open fire. In most cases, this means heating on a gas stove or burner, but there are also coal and firewood. The advantages of this method: simplicity, accessibility and often cost-effectiveness.

Flaws:

• high inertia - it will not be possible to quickly reduce or increase power, as a result, it is difficult to control the temperature in the cube; experience is required;
• it is very difficult to insulate the distillation cube to reduce heat loss in order to save money;
• installation of automation is practically useless;
• high fire hazard of open fire.

Distillation in the fresh air with wood. What kind of device, what color of moonshine

2. Built-in electric heating elements. Devices (one or several at once) are mounted directly into the cube. Heating elements made of stainless steel or brass are suitable.

Advantages:

• quick temperature change (high controllability);
• possibility to install automation and insulate the cube.

Flaws:

• solid particles can burn to the working surface of the heating elements; careful filtration of the mash is required before distillation;
• Electric heating is often more expensive than gas heating;
• From time to time the heating elements burn out.

3. Induction cooker. It runs on electricity and can be stationary or portable (used more often in moonshine).

Advantages:

• low inertia – quick change of heating intensity;
• good temperature control - induction cookers are equipped with automation, no need to install separate units;
• in comparison with heating elements, the entire surface of the bottom of the cube is evenly heated; burning of the mash occurs in rare cases.

Flaws:

• the cost of an induction cooker is quite high;
• You can only use distillation cubes made from materials containing a magnet (stainless steel, cast iron), while aluminum and copper containers without magnetic inserts welded to the bottom are not suitable for heating.

Only stainless steel and cast iron cubes can be heated on an induction hob

4. Heating using steam (steam generator). First, the water is brought to a boil and served directly into the container or onto the outer walls. The system allows you to control (automate) the entire process and eliminate the risk of burning, therefore it is suitable for distilling thick mash. But due to the complexity of implementing the design and the need to purchase (manufacture) special equipment (steam generator), it will not be considered further here.

Installing thermometers in a moonshine still

You can do without measuring the temperature, but a correctly installed thermometer allows you to change the container in time during fractional distillation and adjust the heating intensity.

Three types of thermometers are used in moonshine stills (according to the principle of operation):

• bimetallic - a metal tape or spiral acts as a sensor;
• electronic - a special conductor changes resistance when temperature fluctuates;
• digital - measurements are recorded due to changes in pressure.

The most reliable are bimetallic thermometers, but the accuracy of these devices leaves much to be desired. Electronic thermometers are much more accurate, but with the slightest shock they can break or show the wrong temperature. Digital thermometers are leaders in accuracy, but are expensive.

During distillation, you cannot rely entirely on the readings of the thermometer, especially the first time, when the operating modes of the homemade moonshine still have not yet been tested. Temperature values ​​are auxiliary data. At the exit, the moonshine should be cold or at room temperature, and during fractional distillation, divide the output into fractions correctly by pure alcohol, sugar content in the mash or by smell (method of experienced distillers).

Fastening. The thermometer in the moonshine still can be installed at the outlet of the cube (in the upper part) or in front of the entrance to the refrigerator. The second option is preferable, as it allows you to measure the temperature of the steam before condensation. But the thermometer in the cube (the first case) shows the degree of heating of the mash, which is also important. Conclusion: if possible, it is advisable to install two thermometers at once.

Thermometers can be placed on the cube or in front of the refrigerator

For installation, it is enough to make a hole, the diameter of which coincides with the diameter of the thermometer installation cylinder (fastenings with Velcro and plastic clips are not suitable). Secure the cylinder from the inside with a bolt and secure the structure with a nut. Then insert the thermometer itself.

Attention! When starting up for the first time, a home moonshine still should be tested by distilling water, and not immediately filled with mash. Distilling water is safer, immediately shows problems (if any) and thoroughly rinses all parts of the structure.

(+18) Vodka is becoming more expensive and its quality is often questionable. Therefore, sometimes (on a holiday) you want to treat your guests to a drink that is safe for health. You can buy a moonshine still, or you can make it yourself from scrap materials. A detailed description of the design of the moonshine still with drawings is later in the article.

The article is intended for persons at least 18 years old!!!

Detailed description of the manufacture of a moonshine still

I made my own moonshine still with my own hands about twenty years ago and since then it has served me well. You need to start with the selection of material. Copper, aluminum, and ordinary steel are not suitable for this purpose, since they are not food grade materials. The device must be made of stainless steel or titanium. If possible, try not to use rubber parts (gaskets, hoses) that may come into contact with alcohol vapor. This dramatically worsens the taste and smell of the product. I tried to make all connections threaded and if I used gaskets, it was only made of leather. It is very convenient to use a milk can with a capacity of 37-40 liters as a container for heating mash; it has a standard clamp for sealing and all materials are obviously food-grade.

The main part of any moonshine still is:

• heat exchanger,
• fridge,
• coil washed with water.

DIY coil

The coil is made from a thin-walled stainless tube d8-10 mm, about 2 meters long.

By making a simple device, the coil can be wound by hand.

The device consists of a pipe or rod d (outer) 35 mm, to which an M8-10 nut is welded, depending on the diameter of the coil tube.

A 2-meter long tube is filled with dry sand and sealed with plugs on both sides. Then the tube is passed through the hole in the nut, the short end of the device is clamped in a vice and a coil is wound around the long end of the rod. After winding, the plugs are removed, the sand is poured out, and the tube is washed with running water.

Fridge

The body for the refrigerator was made from a stainless steel pipe d76mm, machined on the outside to d75mm. I made 8mm holes in the top and bottom of the housing for installing water inlet and outlet pipes. Two covers d75mm with holes d8mm (I used a tube for the coil d8mm) to exit the ends of the coil. A coil is installed in the body, covers are installed, holes are placed on the coil tubes, and it is welded hermetically. The pipes are inserted and also welded. The refrigerator is checked for leaks. A fitting with an external thread is welded to the coil tube at the ASG supply.

Our refrigerator is ready.

From my practical experience, I can assure you that a coil made of a 2-meter long tube successfully copes with the condensation of 8 liters of product per hour. Moonshine should be distilled at a speed of no more than 3 liters per hour, otherwise the mash will boil violently and a large amount of impurities will be carried into the finished product.

And one more nuance: when connecting the refrigerator, the direct supply of cold water comes from below, the return (waste water) is drained from above. Otherwise, a counterflow of liquid occurs and the efficiency of heat transfer drops significantly.

DIY sump

Between the tank and the refrigerator on the steam-gas mixture (PGM) line, it is advisable to install a settling tank that traps heavy fractions, thereby significantly improving the quality of the product. In the simplest case, it is a glass jar with two tubes.

I made the sump this way.

In a cylinder made of stainless steel pipe d57 mm, I drilled two holes d8 mm (see sketch), into which I installed pre-bent tubes. A fitting with an external thread was welded to the tube installed in the upper hole of the sump, on the side of the refrigerator. The tubes were welded hermetically to the sump. Inside the cylinder I welded two coins (swirlers) with gaps on opposite sides. Two covers, the top one is blind, the bottom one has a hole for installing a sediment outlet pipe. The vapor-gas mixture enters the cylinder, expands and passes through the labyrinth, fusel oils precipitate and are discharged through the lower valve (I have a rubber pharmacy tube installed on this pipe, which I close while taking the product with a regular clothespin). Again, from personal experience I can tell you that it is enough to drain the sediment from the sedimentation tank through each liter of the resulting product.

During this time, not much sediment accumulates and it does not reach the lower pipe of the ASG.

Assembling the device

Now we assemble our entire system into a single whole. We drill a hole in the lid of the milk can, insert a tube with an external thread into it, install a gasket on the tube inside the lid and screw on a nut made of stainless steel. We also install a gasket on the outside, screw on the fitting, and carefully tighten the connection. A tube coming from the sump from its lower part is welded to the fitting. Then, using a union nut, the refrigerator is attached to the sump tube.

Our homemade moonshine still is ready for use.

(Source: alcopribor.ru)

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P O P U L A R N O E:

The battery is one of the important elements in a car. It needs to be monitored and charged on time, especially in winter, and also when the car has not been used for a long time. For this you need a charger. You can buy it, or you can assemble it from inexpensive parts, which will cost much less than a store-bought one, but in terms of characteristics and reliability it is superior to some copies currently sold.

Do-it-yourself moonshine still is an original Russian, traditional creation of folk thought. Craftsmen manage to make installations that ensure the production of a final product that is not inferior in quality and purity to industrially produced strong drinks. With the right choice of design and careful manufacturing, you can get a fairly simple device for use that can meet your own needs for high-quality and cheap alcohol.

If you assemble the device according to the instructions below, you will be able to produce alcoholic drinks that are head and shoulders above the quality of store-bought counterparts.

At its core, any moonshine still is a home device for distilling raw materials with alcohol content into a high-strength alcoholic drink (moonshine). As a starting product, you can use any mixture that contains ethyl alcohol - this is mash, low-quality wine, alcohol with impurities (raw), etc.

The purpose of using a moonshine still is to produce an alcoholic drink with an ethyl alcohol content of at least 60-70%. At the same time, the final product must be free of impurities that are dangerous to humans, spoil the taste and impart an unpleasant odor.

The operating principle of a moonshine still is based on the fact that alcohol actively evaporates at temperatures at which water remains liquid. As is known, evaporation of water occurs when it boils, i.e. at a temperature of about 100 ºС, while alcohol begins to turn into steam already at a temperature of 55-60 ºС. The intensity of its vaporization increases with increasing temperature.

In the moonshine still, it is necessary to ensure a temperature above 55 ºС, but below 90 ºС.

• Alcohol vapor must be removed from the surface of the water, and their transformation back into liquid is ensured by condensation, i.e. contact of hot steam with a cold surface.
• The final stage consists of carefully collecting the resulting droplets of alcohol, after which it can be purified from harmful impurities.

The classic design of a moonshine still should include such basic parts as an evaporator and a condenser.

• The evaporator is a container where the raw material is heated to the desired temperature.
• A condenser is a container with a cooled surface on which condensation is released.

Additional but necessary parts in the design of the device include an element for removing alcohol vapor from the evaporator, a container for collecting condensate and control devices.

In addition, it is important to ensure proper heating of the raw material into the evaporators and constant cooling of the condensing element. Cleaning is ensured by filters and the addition of various sorbents.

What is taken into account when designing

According to the principle of operation, homemade moonshine stills are classified as distillation-type devices, i.e. use the mechanism described above, in contrast to the industrial production of alcohol, where distillation columns are used, based on the separation of raw materials into fractions. When designing a moonshine still, the following main characteristics are taken into account:

Structural elements

A homemade moonshine still can have different shapes and sizes. Its design can be very simple, made temporarily from improvised means, or quite complex, with process control. The device must include the following required elements:

Making an evaporator

How to make a moonshine still with your own hands? The solution to this problem begins with the creation of an evaporator, i.e. distillation cube. Most often, ready-made containers with a volume of 15-30 liters are used for this purpose.

Stainless steel

The best option is stainless steel intended for food purposes. You can successfully use ready-made household vessels made from this material. Homemade containers are made from stainless steel sheet 1-2 mm thick using welding. When forming a homemade tank, it should be remembered that during operation, in addition to high temperature, excess pressure is created in it, which can reach 0.5-0.7 atm, which requires particularly high-quality welds.

The manufacture of a distillation cube is carried out in the following order.

1. A container of the required volume is taken ready-made or welded.
2. An important condition is the presence of a flat bottom if it is installed on a tile or burner.
3. A cover is installed on top, in which a hole is drilled to attach a coil or steamer.
4. With an internal diameter of the coil tube of 11-13 mm, a hole with a diameter of 22 mm is drilled and a pipe thread (half an inch) is cut.
5. The lid is installed on the tank with the joint sealed.

In the case of a collapsible structure, rubber gaskets are used, and in the manufacture of a stationary structure, sealing is ensured by silicone sealant.

During the distillation process, it is desirable to control the temperature that is provided in the evaporator. To install a thermometer, another hole is drilled in the lid of the distillation cube to insert a thermocouple or install a thermometer.

A convenient option for a distillation cube is a pressure cooker. It has one important drawback associated with its small volume, but for your own needs it is quite suitable. The main advantage of this design is the presence of good tightness. Modification is required only in the part of drilling the hole in the cover. A completely ideal option is a multicooker, which provides heating and maintaining the temperature in a given mode.

Making a capacitor

A do-it-yourself condenser or refrigerator for a moonshine still includes 2 main parts - a coil and a cooling source (cooling compartment). The quantity and strength of the final product depends on the correct functioning of the refrigerator.

The coil can be made of non-ferrous metals, stainless steel or glass.

The dimensions of the tube for the coil are selected according to the following parameters:

1. Inner diameter. Increasing it leads to an expansion of the contact area with steam, which increases the productivity of the device, but affects its dimensions and significantly complicates manufacturing. The recommended inner diameter of the tube is 9-13 mm.
2. total length. Here again there is an alternative. A longer length increases the condenser area, but at the same time the resistance to flow increases, which slows down the speed of the process. It has been practically established that the optimal length is in the range of 1.6-2.2 m.
3. Wall thickness. The smaller this parameter, the easier it is to cool the system, but the strength of the element decreases. The use of a tube with a thickness of 1-1.2 mm is considered normal.

The cooling compartment must ensure that heat is removed from the coil in a constant manner. In principle, cooling can be provided by ice, air or water flow. The most commonly used is water.

There are 2 options for submitting it. Is it a closed or open system.

• In the first case, the container is filled with cold water. Cooling occurs until it warms up, after which the coolant is replaced with a new portion.
• The second option is considered more effective, because cooling is provided by running water.

Step by step

The manufacture of the refrigerator is carried out in the following sequence.

1. A metal tube of the optimal size is filled with sand to prevent deformation and is wound in the form of a spiral onto a cylinder with a diameter of about 30-36 mm with a turn pitch of 11-14 mm.
2. The sand is poured out and the spiral is washed under running water.
3. Next, the cooling compartment body is made from a metal or plastic pipe with a diameter of 76-82 mm. Connections for supplying tap water are installed on the compartment body.
4. Then part of the coil is passed inside the compartment, the ends of which are hermetically sealed.

Both ends of the coil remain free, one for connection to the distillation cube or steamer, the other for discharging the finished product.

Moonshine– this is a whole wonderful world. You only have to try a drink made with your own hands once and you will understand that store-bought drinks do not evoke virtually any emotions. But, as in any business, without some knowledge in the area, not even the first pancake can come out lumpy.

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

1. alcohol mashine?
2. What's happened ?
3. Why in moonshine?
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 constant attention and constant 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 design of moonshine stills, a description of physical and chemical processes, technologies and, of course, detailed information.

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

This section will also be useful to relatives of people who are passionate about moonshine brewing. We will help you choose exactly the right one gift a moonshine still that your loved one will appreciate.

And, believe me, the most difficult thing is take the first step. But we have done everything to make this step a little easier for you.

Most people will one day realize that they can make alcohol themselves from available materials. A DIY moonshine still is one such solution. Having decided to search the World Wide Web, a person comes across tons of information, most of which is useless. Sometimes you come across data about what the structure consists of, but nothing more. To correct this oversight, we present a complete guide on how to make a moonshine still with your own hands.

Alembic

What do you need to think about and what to prepare first if you are planning a moonshine still at home? Of course, about the distillation cube, which acts as a container for heating raw materials.

The simplest is an aluminum milk can or pressure cooker. Such a device can be hermetically sealed. In most cases it will operate on running water.

Existing gaskets are immediately replaced with silicone ones. When making a moonshine still from a pressure cooker with your own hands, you will also need to wrap the rubber gasket tightly with fum tape in 6 layers.

A homemade container is also required. Most often, this design is carefully stored among the population in the form of small stainless steel tanks with a screw lid. If you don’t have such equipment lying around in your garage, then look through your relatives or friends. Some of them will definitely have such a container from the times of the USSR. If you can’t find it, you’ll have to buy it. We recommend you review the tips below:

• material - stainless food steel;
• the device must be at least 30 liters;
• look for a container with a wide neck;
• the quality of moonshine will not be affected by parameters such as metal thickness and workmanship. But, having good financial resources, you need to look for the best material possible.

Fridge

Even the simplest moonshine still must have a refrigerator. It comes in two types:

• flow-through;
• capacitive.

The flow-through refrigerator fits into a mini size, as it is quite compact. Accordingly, it is much easier to store it. Its main basis is an installed coil, which is placed in an airtight container. Cold water flows through it from the water supply. Such a homemade flow-through refrigerator can be made in the form of a direct-flow refrigerator. To do this, the cooled tube is placed in a pipe with a large diameter, and water is passed between the walls. If you make drawings, it becomes clear that making such a refrigerator is quite easy. To learn how to make a refrigerator with your own hands, watch this video:

As a rule, capacitive refrigerators are made on the basis of a canister or tank with a volume of 30 liters. A spiral-shaped tube cuts into it. During distillation, cold water fills the tank. When it warms up, scoop it out a little and add cool water again. As a result, such a simple moonshine still turns out to be somewhat inconvenient. But the capacitive refrigerator also has its advantages:

• he literally assembles on his knees;
• convenient if there is no running water at home;
• Snow is used as water in winter.

Let's continue production on the dry steamer.

Sukhoparnik

All moonshine stills have steam chambers. Some people consider this detail not very important. However, if you want to get a high-quality product, you should take care of its availability. The operating diagram of the steam generator is quite easy to explain.

When ethyl alcohol boils and evaporates, the steam captures heavy fractions boiling at high temperatures. They usually have a high content of fusel oils. No wonder moonshine of disgusting quality was called “fusel”. This drink smells bad, and most people will refuse to drink it. If there is little fusel oil, the taste and smell will be pleasant.

When the steam in the steamer heats up, the ethyl alcohol re-evaporates. This process turns out to be smoother. Therefore, the bulk of fusel oils remains in the steam tank itself. The final product is strong and without a strong odor.

If you have a 40-liter distillation cube, then the volume of the jar should be 3 liters. In a device with a steam steamer, fittings are cut into the screw cap to supply and remove steam. This is required in order to eliminate the possibility of the passage of non-condensed vapors.

When the second distillation begins, it is customary to put the following aromatic components into the completed steamer:

• orange and lemon peels;
• dry berries;
• aromatic herbs;
• spices.

Hoses and tubes

We continue making a moonshine still with our own hands. The refrigerator and the distillation cube will need to be connected somehow. How to do this correctly? The ideal option is to find a system without minimal connections and connectors. If desired, you can even buy such a device (an electric moonshine still has the same parameters). But, when you want to make the structure yourself, you will have to look for alternatives.

You may not have welding skills. Of course, you can find an appropriate specialist. Only in this case, more money will be spent, and buying a ready-made device will cost much less. By the way, modern units always have a strong thermometer.

In our case, we will use silicone hoses with clamps, as well as hoses with nuts. For more information on pipe installation see here:

Where can I find silicone hoses? We do this - we go to any specialized online store and buy there. In addition, they are sold in pharmacies and markets.

To determine that the hose is really made of silicone, proceed as follows: set fire to a small piece and observe. If it is real, it will burn without soot.

Preferred metal

Having decided to design your own moonshine still, you also need to understand what metal to make it from. It is quite difficult to answer this question unequivocally. If you look for answers on the Global Network, you can quickly come to an interesting pattern: as many people, as many opinions. The only thing that can be said here is that food grade stainless steel is best suited.

Copper structures constantly cause thousands of disputes. Adherents of this metal say that decades ago almost every device was made of copper. More advanced lovers of good strong drinks counter them. They believe that technology was less developed in the past. At this point, it is customary for scientists to put their word in - a film that is dangerous to humans appears on copper elements if the device is not used for a long time. Of course, there are those who consider moonshine from a milk can to be harmful. The flask is made in various ways, but in most cases it does not even have to be converted. The truth is, as they say, somewhere nearby. Even if the equipment is made from a beer keg. Watch a useful video here:

And you are unlikely to die from a raid. There is a greater chance of poisoning from low-quality alcohol products.

The best way to do this is to make the cube from an aluminum flask or stainless steel, and the refrigerator from a plastic case. Such a combination will only bring benefits.

Several types of designs

How to make a moonshine still from a pressure cooker? This question is being asked more and more often on forums. This is not surprising, since the pressure cooker is sold in any store. Thanks to the built-in thermometer, the boiling temperature is regulated. Assembly instructions are as follows:

• cut holes in the lid, insert a futor into one of them, and a thermometer into the other;
• Put a silicone hose on the foot to connect it to the coil.

Otherwise, everything is assembled according to the principles described above.

The moonshine still from the juicer consists of:

1. Thermometer. How to install a thermometer? It is best to place it in a container in a metal tube.
2. Containers for mash (in this case, the juicer itself). Here you will need to install two pipes. One is placed in the thermometer, the second will be in the coil.

A moonshine still with a heating element differs from other models only in that heating elements are built into the container. There are mini versions, there is even a moonshine still with a steam generator. It is not difficult to manufacture these devices; it is enough to connect the above parts to them.