How to choose a moonshine still - everything a novice distiller needs to know

Catalog of moonshine stills

If you are reading this material, it means that you no longer need to prove the feasibility of preparing alcohol at home and you have at least become familiar with the basic concepts of moonshine brewing. All that remains for us to do is answer the basic questions that may arise when choosing the first, ideal moonshine still suitable for your needs. The main thing is to ask the right questions!

Checklist for choosing and purchasing the best moonshine still:

1. Decide on the design of a moonshine still Familiarize yourself with the types of equipment
2. Indicate operating conditions
3. Indicate the goal (what drinks you will prepare)

Decide on the volume of the distillation cube

Decide on the material of manufacture

Consider important design features

Select a seller and check documents

Buy a moonshine still

And now into the details...

How to choose the best moonshine still by design

It is recommended to understand the rules for choosing a device based on its design.

Familiarize yourself with the types of equipment

There are many models of devices sold on the market, their design differs significantly. If you remove the minor points, then the overwhelming mass of devices is divided into 4 types.

Classic distiller

Classic equipment contains 2 interconnected parts - a refrigerator, also known as a coil, and a distillation cube. This is exactly how ordinary people imagine a moonshine still. The device is widely used in rural areas. The principle of operation of the device is simple, described as follows:

1. The mash in the cube is heated to the boiling point of alcohol.
2. The steam is cooled in a coil, as a result of which a distillate appears, which is moonshine with a maximum stream strength at the outlet of 75-80 degrees.

During distillation, it is impossible to obtain pure alcohol; other substances will be present in the liquid. The components are needed to add aroma and taste, but in addition to them, harmful impurities penetrate into the drink: acetone, aldehyde, fusel oils. The advantages of the distiller include:

• low price;
• ease of installation;
• ease of use.

A classic, good moonshine still retains the taste and aroma of the grains, berries, and fruits from which the drink is prepared better than other models. This distillate is suitable for brewing rum, cognac, and whiskey.

The disadvantages of the classical model include:

• to obtain high-quality moonshine, the raw materials need to be distilled 2-3 times, separated into tails, heads and bodies;
• grain and sugar utensils must be cleaned before the next preparation, which takes a lot of time and effort.

Distiller with steamer

A dry steamer is a container that is mounted between the evaporator and the refrigerator. Thanks to it, air reflux is formed.

Theoretically, a steamer increases the degree of purification of the distillate due to the evaporation of harmful components with a low boiling point. In practice, the element copes with this task mediocrely. It is recommended to use only 1 steamer; 2 or more are not justified.

The apparatus with a steam steamer has the following advantages:

• low price;
• compact dimensions;
• protection against mash getting into the distillate;
• minor distillate purification;
• the ability to flavor moonshine, add apple, herbs, zest.

Disadvantages include loss of alcohol yield and poor purification of the distillate.

Beer column distiller with forced reflux

A mash column is a device in which a module that cools alcohol vapor is made in the form of a vertical pipe with a reflux condenser equipped at the top. It divides the liquid into fractions during the distillation period.

The column is used for brewing any drinks - simple sugar moonshine, elite cognac, whiskey, chacha. The device will perfectly preserve the aroma of the liquid. Advantages of the device:

• practicality of use;
• high degree of purification from harmful components;
• average cost;
• ease of use.

The disadvantage is the inability to extract all the alcohol from the mash without deteriorating in quality. Losses account for about 45-70% of the total volume. From 3 liters of alcohol composition you will get approximately 1.5 liters of drink.

The design of the distiller is large; not every person will allow it to be placed in an apartment.

Distillation column rectifier

The device allows you to obtain a refined product at the output with a maximum strength of up to 96% with minimal aromatics of the raw materials. In practice, it is a tall cylinder, inside of which there are heat exchange plates or nozzles.

This device is the only one that guarantees 100% pure alcohol and separation of impurities thanks to continuous distillation. The advantages of the device include:

• high degree of purification;
• maximum strength of the drink.

The disadvantages are the large size of the device, which often does not allow it to be placed in an apartment. It is also difficult to use and maintain.

Indicate operating conditions

There is no universal model suitable for every person. First you need to understand what the conditions of the room are. To operate the equipment you will need water, a stove and sewerage. The kitchen and bathroom are equipped with this equipment. More often they choose the first option.

The liquid is heated on a gas, electric or induction stove. The first model is static; it requires an accurate calculation of the distance to the hood in order for the device to fit. The other two types of stoves are removable, so you can brew moonshine right on the floor.

Set a goal for what drinks you will prepare.

Based on the desired drink, it will depend on which design of the device is best to buy. The distillate contains a large amount of raw alcohol and other components. During the cooking process, esters and oils from the mash go into the final drink, since perfect cleansing is not guaranteed. Simple modifications are suitable for preparing the distillate.

Rectified is the final drink with a high strength of up to 96% and the absence of additional substances in the composition. The high-quality processing that the raw materials undergo has a positive effect on moonshine. High-quality alcohol can be obtained using equipment of the appropriate class.

Simple home distiller

There are many videos of making a moonshine still at home.

In a simple version, this device looks like this:

• a cube for heating liquid in the form of an aluminum can of 38 liters;
• a refrigerator for converting steam into liquid by cooling it;
• connecting tubes.

Such designs lack other elements. To ensure a high-quality connection of all components, a batter made from flour is used, which is used to lubricate the connecting places where steam can escape.

Most rural residents use such devices.

Decide on the volume of the distillation cube

It is recommended to select the capacity of the moonshine still cube based on the expected performance. The larger it is, the more expensive the device and the larger its size. Inexperienced moonshiners think that the minimum volume of the cube is enough for themselves, but this is a misconception. With a small capacity, it takes more time to distill.

Not everyone has the opportunity to keep a 30-liter device at home, but working with a distiller with a capacity of less than 15 liters is inconvenient and problematic.

Decide on the material of manufacture

Nowadays, most manufacturers use two metals to produce moonshine stills: copper and stainless steel. Stainless steel is a cheap and durable material that requires virtually no maintenance and is inert. Copper is a less practical and brittle metal, but at the same time it has greater thermal conductivity and the ability to oxidize sulfur compounds, which has a very positive effect on the organoleptic properties of the drink. Only Portuguese alambiques are produced entirely from copper, a type of classic distillers that have been used since time immemorial for the preparation of noble drinks (whisky, cognac, Calvados, etc.) and are still used to this day, even in large industries.

Short! Stainless steel – practical and reliable. Copper is a tribute to tradition, good organoleptic properties, but the material is less durable and constantly needs cleaning.

Consider important design features

When purchasing, you should pay attention to the thickness of the metal from which the device is made. It should be more than 1 mm. But if it is higher than 2 mm, the device will be more expensive and heavier.

The steam line passing from the tank to the steam steamer must have a diameter of up to 10 mm, this guarantees safety. A tube that is too narrow will become clogged with particles, which can lead to an explosion. Gaskets and pumps must be made of food-grade silicone; the presence of rubber is unacceptable.

The opening of the distillation cube should be at least 10 cm thick, otherwise it will be difficult to stick your hand through to clean the apparatus.

How to buy a moonshine still

Choosing the right device is not as difficult as finding a good seller who will provide documentation for the product. This is especially true when purchasing equipment via the Internet, where many dishonest people are trying to make money at the expense of others.

If possible, it is better to buy the device in a village or town at a local store so that, if necessary, you can come and change the product or consult. But often the device is chosen in online stores, so you should familiarize yourself with the recommendations:

1. Find out if the seller is registered. To do this, go to the official portal of the tax service and enter the OGRN or OGRIP. If the information does not match what is listed on the seller’s website, it is an obvious scammer.
2. It is advisable for the seller to have a physical address. The presence of a landline telephone, complete information on the website, hotline service - all this indirectly confirms honesty.
3. The description of the device must be comprehensive and detailed - brand, country of origin, parts, materials, technical characteristics.
4. You need to ask the seller to send a certificate for the product by mail. The document reflects data on assembly, configuration, description of operating modes, and maintenance rules.

The certificate is easy to verify. To do this, enter the number on the website of the Unified Register of Certificates of Conformity. If the documents are in order, you can place an order.

What is better to choose for a beginner?

When choosing a model, you need to take into account human needs. Tips for a novice moonshiner:

• to obtain alcohol for the subsequent preparation of cognac, tincture, a Luxstahl-2 column is suitable;
• to extract alcohol and then use it in its pure form, purchase the Alkovar UBK device;
• for maximum purification of the drink from fusel oils, it is worth buying Phoenix Folk;
• if a person intends to brew moonshine with sugar and yeast, it is recommended to choose Dobry Zhar Pro;
• when using fruit, Slavyanka Premium is suitable.

In general, a novice moonshiner needs to buy a device with a Pervach Elite 17T steamer. When choosing a moonshine still, it is recommended to read reviews from real users.

A rectification column will allow you to obtain alcohol, on the basis of which good quality vodka or tincture is prepared. List of quality devices:

• Mascot;
• Vanguard;
• Falcon;
• Master.

The taste of moonshine brewed in a column will be milder compared to that prepared in a distiller.

What to look for when choosing a moonshine still

When purchasing a device, it is recommended to analyze and take into account important points.

1. The refrigerator must be flow-through and vertical

Silicone hoses are connected to the tap, which effectively cools the product. If it is impossible to get access to running water, then you need to make an autonomous system using a pump for a moonshine still or buy a country distiller.

2. A steam drain is required (preferably with a drain valve)

The steam steamer acts as a necessary element; it must be present in the apparatus. You can verify its presence by sniffing the sediment remaining at the bottom of the apparatus. The steamer can be made from a glass jar; this will not affect the quality of the drink.

The ideal still: large, wide, with tap and safety valve

The volume of the cube must be at least 20 liters; a hand can fit into the neck. The presence of a drain tap is mandatory. The model must also be equipped with a safety valve. As for the thickness of the metal, this is an insignificant indicator.

IMPORTANT: Luxstal produces high-quality distillers equipped with the gadgets necessary for efficient and correct distillation

The device must be made of stainless steel, but the bottom must be magnetic

Some varieties are made of copper, but they are significantly more expensive and more difficult to maintain. The bottom must be ferrimagnetic and provided with a metal layer. This will help heat the container on an induction stove.

Heating is best done on an induction hob. Then a heating element with a thermostat. Then gas

Nowadays it is in fashion to switch from gas stoves to induction models. Such a device can be purchased for 5,000 rubles, budget ones cost even less - only 2,000 rubles. The heating element is more practical and convenient, but the difficulty is that it needs to be purchased and wedged into the cube.

All devices are produced only in Russia from imports only from China at best

Despite the fact that many devices are produced under the names “Germany”, “Finland”, “Japan”, at best the manufacturer will be Russia, at worst – China. Cooking moonshine is prohibited in many countries; the production of imported devices is expensive.

The height of the device should not interfere with kitchen shelves

It often happens that a person purchases equipment, but it does not fit on the stove, because the bottom is not designed for induction cookers. To avoid getting into trouble, you need to take measurements in advance.

There are a lot of fakes on the Internet, but everyone knows about honest stores with normal prices and delivery

It is recommended to purchase the device on official websites that provide information about dealers. In almost 100% of cases, the buyer will find a quality device.

The Russian Haze portal is included in the rating of the best stores, it is in the top when searching on the Internet. They have good service, a wide selection, and quality equipment. He sells not only his own devices, but also other famous brands, such as Dobry Zhar, Phoenix.

Landing pages are often found on the Internet. These are one-page sites, tailored for implementation. Large sellers have long switched to this format. Experienced moonshiners buy devices from them.

Tips and tricks

Before assembling a moonshine still at home, you need to decide for what purposes it will be used. This will depend on:

• volume of the distillation cube;
• a type of refrigerator for running or standing water;
• the presence of a steamer, you may need several of them;
• the need for a thermometer and a release valve.

With the correct calculation of the necessary parameters of the moonshine still and strict adherence to the technological process, you will get a high-quality alcoholic drink.

Don't be afraid to try and experiment. With due diligence, you will definitely get high-quality moonshine that you can treat yourself and your friends to at the right moment.

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Security level

To make the moonshine brewing process safe, it is recommended to buy factory-made devices that come with a warranty and instructions. Equipment sold on Avito, made by yourself with a pipe from a vacuum cleaner and a sponge for washing dishes instead of normal alcohol, will produce fusel oils and will quickly deteriorate.

• Factory equipment will last for many years and will allow you to prepare a high-quality drink if the user follows simple safety rules. In any case, you need to read the instructions before starting work.
• Braga is poured into the cube no more than ¾ of its total volume. The condition of the column is regularly checked to ensure that it is not clogged. Old structures often break down. This happens due to thin coils less than 8mm thick. The mash foams and causes the part to choke, the pressure increases and a popping sound occurs.
• Another cause of malfunction is a horizontal coil. Liquid collects in each turn and a water plug appears, preventing steam from escaping. The drink is mixed, its subsequent division into fractions is impossible.

When purchasing a device, the priority criterion is the safety and harmlessness of drinks. The device must clean alcohol from harmful substances. High-quality moonshine does not produce an unpleasant odor and is not endowed with a cloudy sediment.

From the material it became clear how to correctly and competently choose a moonshine still for home use. If you are a beginner, then choose a better distillation column.

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Content

How to choose a moonshine still for your home if you decide to become a distiller but don’t have any experience yet? What you decided is correct. Moonshine is a traditional Russian drink that became widespread in Rus' from the beginning of the 15th century, especially during the reign of Ivan the Terrible.

Under Ivan IV, the first tavern appeared in Rus', located, by the way, on the territory of the Moscow Kremlin. But initially, moonshine was taken as a medicinal tincture.

Moonshine is still actively produced today; many people prefer high-quality homemade alcohol, because... We are confident in its quality and natural composition. To understand the processes of moonshine and prepare high-quality homemade moonshine, you need practice.

And for this, you need a moonshine still. Today the range of moonshine units is quite wide. How to choose the right moonshine still. In the article, we’ll talk about how to choose the best moonshine still, we’ll touch on the main parameters that are important when choosing a moonshine still for moonshine. In addition, for the purity of the experiment, we will compare several moonshine stills of different types.

Moonshine stills have different purposes

Let's figure it out! In stores today you can find the following types of devices.

Types of home brewing machines

Distiller

This type of moonshine still has the simplest design, including only two components: a cube and a refrigerator. By heating the mash in the distillation cube, steam is formed, which is then deposited by condensation in the refrigerator.

The design of such a device is good in its simplicity. But there is one minus - the lack of filter elements. Therefore, the finished product after distillation must be subjected to additional chemical purification, which will remove substances harmful to the body from the drink, such as acetaldehyde, fusel oils, methanol, etc.

Therefore, in order not to resort to additional cleaning of moonshine, pay attention to the following type of moonshine still.

Moonshine still with steamer

This option solves the problem of additional purification of moonshine. Such a device includes an additional element - a special tank, which is located between the cube and the refrigerator. Such a tank is called a steam tank, which cleans the drink from harmful elements. It should be noted that complete cleaning cannot be achieved when using a device with a steam steamer, but the percentage of content will be reduced to a minimum. To get the purest moonshine, you should purchase a machine with a mash column.

Brass Column

A device for the production of moonshine with a mash column allows you to prepare drinks of a wide variety of types, from moonshine to cognac and chacha. Moreover, it makes it possible to obtain alcoholic beverages of high purity.

While there are obvious advantages, there are also disadvantages. This moonshine still is large in size and is not suitable for small kitchens. In addition, the disadvantages include high cost and large volume of losses.

Alambik - outlandish

Alambik is a rare moonshine still in our country. The principle of its operation is almost the same as that of a distiller. The difference between these two models is purely visual - the upper part of the alambic is made in the form of a helmet.

A helmet in the shape of an onion is most often made of pure copper, so this moonshine still is usually used for making cognac and whiskey, because copper better preserves the taste of the finished product.

However, such units are usually assembled abroad, and copper is not a cheap metal, which is why alambiks are not popular in our country.

Moonshine still with distillation column

The operation of such a moonshine still is not based on distillation, like previous ones, but on the process of separating liquid mixtures into practically pure components.

This process is called rectification. The rectifier separates the liquid into fractions that have almost equal boiling points. An industrial rectifier allows the owner of such a moonshine still to obtain a finished product of excellent purity and maximum strength (96 rpm).

This is a great advantage of this model, because home brewing units provide only 70% ethanol content in moonshine.

How else do moonshine stills for home brewing differ?

After talking about the principles of operation of various moonshine stills, we will dwell on the sizes and materials from which they can be made.

The most versatile apparatus for moonshine brewing is a unit made of copper or stainless steel. Copper devices are quite expensive, because copper is an expensive material. As for stainless steel, when purchasing a moonshine still made from this material, you need to read all the documents attached to it, so as not to run into scammers who often offer galvanized steel elements under the guise of stainless steel.

When choosing a moonshine still, it is important to take into account the volume of product obtained at the output, because the distillation cube should be filled only 80% of its total volume.

In other words, if the model has a volume of 10 liters, then the output will be only 8 liters of mash. In addition, it is important to know that the volume of the final product is affected by the efficiency specified in the specifications for each device and the alcohol content of the raw materials used.

What to look for when buying a moonshine still?

“Which moonshine still is better?” - an important question for beginning moonshiners. Each distiller has his own requirements for the finished product. However, there are basic rules that all lovers of homemade alcohol should take into account. So,

what you should pay attention to when choosing a moonshine still:

• The material from which the product is made. Food grade steel is most often used in the manufacture of moonshine stills. Here it is important to pay attention to the thickness of the material. In specialized stores you can find inexpensive moonshine stills, the steel thickness of which is 0.8-1mm. What are their disadvantages? During the distillation process, the mash in the cube burns, and this reduces the quality of the moonshine.
• The presence of a steam chamber in the apparatus will improve the purity of moonshine, since a significant part of fusel oils and other harmful substances will remain at the bottom of the steam chamber.
• The size of the distillation cube. This point depends on how much moonshine you plan to distill. The most popular are devices with a volume of 20 liters. But, if the device is not planned to be used often, then 12-liter units are suitable. And sometimes, larger containers can be useful, for example 50-100 liter devices.
• A device with a distillation column will allow its owner to obtain pure and strong alcohol, but it will not be possible to create a tasty distillate with a fruity taste.
• The last important point to consider when choosing a moonshine still is the manufacturer. To make sure of its reliability, you need to pay attention to customer reviews of moonshine stills, and study the product rating.

Peculiarities. When choosing a moonshine still, it is important to take into account the fact that some units may have thinner cube walls and a 2mm thick bottom. This device is much better than the thin-walled one.

Moonshine still "Dachny"

Popular manufacturers of moonshine stills

Let's look at the most popular manufacturers of moonshine stills. The brand of moonshine stills is very popular among buyers. The most popular is the Magarych Mashkovsky device. In addition, the company also produces inexpensive devices, which are most often ordered by beginners in moonshine brewing.

produces mainly small models of moonshine stills, but tries to take into account all the wishes of the customer. Therefore, the products are in great demand. For example, the moonshine still “Dachny” , which does not require the use of running water.

A diverse range of models of moonshine stills for every taste makes them extremely popular. The company manufactures moonshine brewing apparatus from 2 mm thick stainless steel. In addition, Dobrovar also offers for sale individual elements of moonshine stills: distillation columns, steamers, etc.

has occupied its own special niche in the production and sale of moonshine stills. Phoenix offers its customers gift models of its products in beautiful packaging. But this is not just a decorative product; such moonshine stills are distinguished by good performance. And the quality of the finished product.

"Domovenok" is one of the few companies that have a patent for each of their models, which makes their devices unique and special. The dream of a high-performance still can be easily realized if you purchase a moonshine still in.

The combination of new technologies from German and Russian manufacturers distinguishes moonshine stills of the Brandimaster brand. The models of this company are in great demand, this can be easily seen if you read customer reviews.

Universal moonshine stills: two in one

Universal moonshine systems include a distiller with a steamer and/or rectifier and a strengthening column. Many companies produce such devices today. These are a kind of transformer systems, because the distillation column can be turned off at any time.

What advantages does a moonshiner get when using a two-in-one moonshine still?

• If you use a device with a distillation column, you will get pure alcohol with a strength of 96 degrees. And if you turn it off, you get moonshine with a certain smell and taste, depending on the raw materials used.

• Important. Due to the strengthening of alcohol vapors and the selection of phlegm, the productivity of the moonshine still, which is capable of “dispensing” from 400 ml to 1 liter of alcohol per hour, sharply drops.

• If the device is used only as a distiller, then you can get a high-quality product the first time if you connect a dry steamer and a strengthening column. However, in this case, it is necessary to get rid of the heads and tails, because they contain harmful impurities. In addition, this increases the speed of transport.
• Two-in-one moonshine systems are most often automatic devices; the automation regulates the parameters of the moonshine process.

Advice from experienced home distillers on choosing a moonshine still

When choosing a moonshine still, you should seek advice from experienced moonshiners, and not be guided only by your own preferences.

What do experienced moonshiners advise:

• if production speed is of paramount importance (some moonshine stills can produce up to 8 liters per hour), then you will have to fork out more. In this case, you need a copper device, because copper has a thermal conductivity that is more than 20 times higher than that of stainless steel devices; if you still want to save money, then you should purchase a stainless steel device, but with a copper coil;
• If the volume of the cube is important to the owner of a moonshine still, then you should know that the cube can be filled to no more than 3⁄4, and you need to calculate the output result based on this feature, for example, a 20-liter still will only hold 17 mash.
• If you want to create delicious homemade liqueurs and tinctures, you need to purchase a moonshine still with a distillation column, which will allow you to obtain pure alcohol that does not require further purification.

Well, that's all for now. We are sure that our readers are now aware of the features of various machines for making moonshine at home, and know what to follow in order to purchase a good moonshine machine for producing high-quality homemade alcohol.

Of course, everyone will be guided by their own ideas and preferences when choosing a moonshine still. But the knowledge that is new to someone, which is described in the article, will definitely help you purchase the best moonshine still without any problems and be satisfied with the purchase and the subsequent result.

WE WARN ABOUT THE HARMS OF EXCESSIVE ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION