We make a moonshine still from a flask “for growth. How to make a moonshine still from a flask: tips DIY key for 40 liter cans

In Soviet times, when high-quality stainless steel was in short supply, probably every second moonshine still was made on the basis of an aluminum jar for food.

Nowadays, this design retains its relevance due to its simplicity and availability. To understand what a moonshine still from a flask is, what is its design and principle of operation, as well as how to make such a device with your own hands at home, you need to familiarize yourself with the question in more detail.

A moonshine from a flask is a distillation system in which a large aluminum container for food purposes is used, for example, a milking can, while such units are easy to make with your own hands due to the pliability of the material.

The main advantage of the flask-based design is the cost reduction, the high power of the system due to the large volume of the base capacity, mainly 40 and 25 liters, as well as the already mentioned ease of processing aluminum.

Device and principles of operation

Since the design based on the flask is self-made, the device of the moonshine still based on it is often quite simple. Basically, these are homemade ones, consisting of a tank-flask, hoses and a refrigerator, and the model can also be improved with additional cleaning agents in the form of a steam box and / or.

At first glance, such simple units, in the absence of more serious elements responsible for purification, for example, a tsargi or a reflux condenser, will significantly increase the quality of the distillate. In addition, the unit can be equipped, it will help to monitor the quality of the product directly during the distillation process.

The principle of operation of a moonshine still from a flask is the embodiment of the distillation process.

Under the influence of heating, alcohol, water, fusel oils and other impurities evaporate from the wash.
Further, the steam, consisting of a mixture of them, or with the simplest method of distillation, immediately enters the refrigerator and condenses, but then the moonshine will be of low quality, or it preliminarily enters the steam chamber and / or bubbler, where part of the impurities settles.
After it cools down to a liquid state.

In the second case, the passage of steam through the air gap in the dry chamber leads to weaker cleaning than when passing through the water layer of the bubbler, which must be taken into account when calculating additional filtration means in the system.

How to make a moonshine still from a flask of 25 or 40 liters with your own hands

Units based on such containers are most often ordinary household distillers, but there may be exceptions. Let's take a look at each element in order.

Choosing a can for a distillation cube

The expediency of improving the distiller largely depends on what capacity is used. So, it is better to use an ordinary Soviet-CIS aluminum can as the basis of a simple distiller, at the same time, if you buy a new or used European or Chinese food stainless steel flask on the Internet, then you can think about creating a mash or rectification column.

In terms of volume, such containers range from 10 to 100 liters, but moonshine stills from a flask of 25, 40 and 50 liters are most popular. It is also important, if the choice fell on an aluminum product, to pay attention to the integrity and general condition of the protective coating.

It depends on the first whether toxic aluminum oxides will get into the moonshine, and on the second - how long the container will last.

Re-equipment of the can is not difficult, since it is already equipped with a convenient and sealed locking system. It remains to make a few technological holes.

The first is necessary for the removal of hot steam. For this purpose, it is better to use a fitting, and seal the gap with a food-grade silicone gasket or heat-resistant non-toxic sealant.
The second hole is for installing the thermometer. It is better to use a bimetallic device, having previously installed a sealing sleeve in the hole and sealed using the same method as the fitting.

Hoses

For a simpler unit based on an aluminum flask, the best solution would be food-grade silicone steam lines, but with a more solid construction based on a stainless steel can, you should think about steam lines made of an appropriate material.

Although their manufacture will result in high costs, the durability and reliability of such a system is much higher, especially if it is planned to install a reflux condenser or a column.

In general, the selection of —hoses— for a moonshine still should be based on the power of the system, which determines their optimal length and inner diameter, so that the working pressure is maintained and zones of high hydraulic resistance are not created.

Refrigerator

For a simple distiller, there are two alternatives - and a direct flow, but in this case, you need to build on the power of the entire system, because the higher it is, the higher the likelihood of condensate plugs in the coil.

For models based on a flask with a volume of more than 25 liters, it is better to choose a straight-through pipe, although a coil can also be chosen, but subject to a significant diameter of the tube section.

If it is planned to install a reflux condenser, brew or rectification column, then there is no need to choose - only direct-flow. This is due both to its higher power and efficiency, and to stable operation, not subject to condensate plugs, which is very important for such units.

To a simple unit for the distillation of moonshine based on an aluminum flask, either a bubbler, or better, a “bubbler-dry box” combination, will be an excellent addition to improve the quality of the distillate.

In this case, the first produces "rough", and the second - "soft" cleaning of steam, while the dry steamer can be used in parallel for maceration of moonshine - saturation of alcohol with the aroma and taste of herbs, fruits and other ingredients. To do this, you just need to lay them inside.

A more serious device of the unit involves installation on a flask or, which, by the way, if materials are available, can be made at home, but this will require detailed acquaintance with their features, as well as the essence of the rectification process.

In this case, you need to think about the heating source, since for a high-quality separation of a multicomponent mixture, smooth heating and precise control are needed, and there are three options.

First but not the best one is;
second- this is the installation of heating elements, they have a smoother adjustment, but do not guarantee that the wash will not burn;
third- this is the best, but also the most expensive solution.

Other types of moonshine still

Among household homemade units, one of the most common options is.

The fact is that this container is, in fact, a high-quality ready-made alembic, which requires minor adjustments, which greatly simplifies the process of manufacturing a distiller.

Also gaining popularity.

This device is not only an excellent alembic, but also has a very convenient, correct, similar to heating elements and easily adjustable heating system.

A special place is occupied by a copper distiller, this metal, due to its thermal conductivity, has the most delicate thermal effect on the raw material, which preserves and transfers its organoleptic properties to the final product.

Copper installations are used by almost all manufacturers of noble liquor, such as, or.

For those who need to distill moonshine in the absence of tap water, the model of a “non-flowing moonshine still” will be of interest.

It uses a large tank to cool the coil, because of which the water has time to cool down due to the environment, without the influx of a new cold one.

And finally, the most controversial device is one in which the liquid goes through a double "evaporation-condensation" cycle, and not a single one, as in a conventional distiller.

A "classic" moonshine still made from an aluminum flask is a simple and affordable solution that meets all the basic requirements of moonshine, especially since now there is an opportunity to purchase a can from food stainless steel, which is suitable for creating advanced distillation systems like a mash or rectification column.

In this case, the issue of expensive work on the production of a distillation cube is resolved, for which you still need to look for qualified specialists and good materials.

In addition, the guaranteed high, factory quality of the product is also a significant plus, otherwise the efficiency of such a unit depends on the selected configuration of the refrigerator and cleaning units.

As a distillation still, milk cans are better than many adapted containers. They are inferior only to pressure cookers, and even then in terms of the number of options for choosing a volume, milk cans have no equal. They can be purchased in a range of capacities from 10 to 100 liters at a very reasonable price. It is not necessary to buy a new can for the device, you can find it on the second-hand market in quite decent condition.

The aluminum can is the most popular cube container, but not the safest

The cans are characterized by a characteristic shape with a tapered top, a wide mouth and a lid equipped with a hinge and a special lock. To transport milk, special food grade rubber or silicone pads are used. They are quite suitable for distillation, withstanding quite high temperatures. But rubber pads are rather unstable, so they should be replaced with silicone ones. Cutting these out of the sheet or using a hose cut along the length is simple and inexpensive.

To make a moonshine still with your own hands from a milk can requires a minimum of alterations. First, we drill a hole in the center of the cover for the steam pipe fitting. Its diameter depends on the future superstructure. If you are going to install a conventional distiller with a steam boiler and a bubbler, then a threaded nipple is enough, onto which the steam pipe stand will be screwed.

Drill two holes in the lid

If a distillation column is installed, the opening must be larger. An adapter is inserted into it for fastening the column using a clamp clamp or a union nut. The fittings and adapters themselves are fixed with two clamping nuts, internal and external, under which silicone gaskets are installed. The threads on the nozzle can be cut at home. The right taps and dies can be found in every garage.

The second hole, for a thermometer, with a diameter of 5.5 mm, is drilled in the lid or wall of the can in the upper part of the cone. It is more practical to install a thermometer in the lid - there is enough space there and it is easier to drill it. A thread is cut into the hole and a piece of stainless steel tube about 5 cm long with a pre-cut thread is screwed. In some home-made designs, a sleeve sealed from below is installed. This is a technically correct decision regarding the complete sealing of the evaporator, but the temperature readings are somewhat distorted. Although 2-3 C is not critical in the operation of a household device, it is better that the thermometer stem is in direct contact with the medium. It is very simple to make a sleeve - just rivet the lower part of the pipe.

We mount a fitting and a thermometer into the holes of the lid.

You can install any factory-made distillation equipment on the can, for example, the "Malinovka" apparatus, designed specifically for the can. Columns "Brownie", "Phoenix Crystal", "Ermak plus", "Katyusha" are also well adapted to work on a milk flask. It is only necessary to buy the equipment before starting the conversion of the milk can, so as not to be mistaken with the diameter of the installation pipe.

Safety

It is also necessary to install a safety valve on a moonshine still from a flask. It is also mounted in the lid with a thread or sealant. It is very convenient to use a standard valve from a multicooker or pressure cooker. You can buy them on the market or on the Internet. They cost, compared to the price of the rest of the equipment, a little, and their role is very significant. Milk cans are hermetically sealed, the constipation is strong and if the pipeline is clogged, troubles can be quite noticeable.

Drain cock

The drain valve for stillage is installed only if the volume of the flask is more than 25 liters. It is very convenient to remove the smaller vessels from the stove - they are equipped with two side handles. The wide mouth and the hinged or removable lid allow you to calmly pour out the vinasse and wash the flask.

Steam generator

The complete re-equipment of the flask ends with the installation of a union for connecting a steam generator. It cuts into the side wall at a height of 2.5 cm from the bottom. On the outer side of the nozzle, a thread is cut to connect the steam line, a bubbler is connected to the inner side - a perforated spiral going from the perimeter to the center of the bottom. The steam pipe system is made of stainless steel or copper. Tube diameter - from 10 mm. It is not difficult to make a spiral of the desired configuration out of it using the same technology as a coil for a refrigerator.

Electric heater

You can convert a moonshine still with your own hands from a can under heating from electricity. To do this, it is enough to embed heating elements with a capacity of 1.5 kW on both sides. For this purpose, two holes are drilled, according to the size of the heating element, if it is "C" -shaped, or one of large diameter, if the heating element is spiral.

Such a device can be equipped with heating elements.

Heaters are sealed using FUM tape or special heat-resistant putty and fastened with nuts. The connection cable must be selected with a cross-section of at least 2.5 cm. If possible, install an electronic control unit or a rheostat. It is much more convenient than turning the heating element on and off one by one. Two heaters are needed to set the "high-speed heating" and "distillation" modes. If the moonshine still has a volume of more than 30 liters, the heating element of 1.5 kW is not enough. You need to install one 3 kW and one 1.5 kW. This is the most convenient power combination.

Choice of can material

Milk flasks are made of aluminum and stainless steel. Aluminum cans for 20 - 50 liters, at this time, are made only in the CIS countries, Russia and China. Stainless - in almost all European countries and, of course, in China. European and Chinese cans can be found with both conventional press-on lids and screw lids. Both options are suitable for all types of moonshine stills.

If you are not experiencing very big financial difficulties, then buy a stainless steel can. For the price - better Chinese, for quality - European. But even stainless flasks from China have sufficiently strong walls, bottom and lid (thickness from 1.5 mm) and they are made of food grade steel. But here, too, caution is needed - if cans are offered on the Internet or on Ali at completely bargain prices, something is wrong. You can compare prices on specialized sites.

Aluminum cans are somewhat cheaper. They are quite durable, easy to convert and completely corrosion resistant. But, according to most doctors and gastroenterologists, they are not entirely suitable for a moonshine still. The effect of aluminum on the human body is not fully understood, and the contact of this metal with hot alcohol vapors can be fraught with many surprises.

But at the same time, most household moonshine stills in Russia are made of aluminum milk cans, and there are millions of them. There were no well-known cases of poisoning or harm to health by aluminum. Therefore, aluminum milk cans for making do-it-yourself moonshine stills can be considered conditionally acceptable without additional restrictions.

You can make a moonshine still from a flask, if you have all the necessary materials and tools at hand, in a few hours. When searching for and buying components - 2-3 days. The service life of such an installation is unlimited.

Although there are many home distillers of different price categories on the market, experienced moonshiners prefer to make equipment on their own or place an order with trusted masters according to their own drawings and diagrams.

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

Diagram of the operation of a moonshine still with a dry steamer

Connecting elements

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

It is not necessary to "tightly" weld all the tubes together, this simplifies the assembly and disassembly of the apparatus, but during cleaning it causes a lot of problems.

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

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. When burned, silicone does not smoke, leaves a subtle smell and light ash. Silicone tubes are much softer to the touch than PVC tubes, and their price is about twice as high.

Left - silicone, right - PVC

For branching bends, changing from one diameter to another and connecting different parts in metal pipelines, fittings and unions are used, which can be found in plumbing stores or in construction markets. For the manufacture of a moonshine still fit fittings made of brass, bronze and stainless steel (the best option) for heating systems that can withstand high temperature and pressure. For the purpose of sealing, the use of heat-resistant glue and cold welding is allowed, the main thing is to avoid rubber gaskets.

You can also use organic matter 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 the joints, and after distillation, the dried dough has to be scraped off.

Dough sealing - touching ancient traditions followed by scraping 🙂

The assembled moonshine still must be sealed. If steam seeps through the tubes, it is best to stop distillation, let the equipment cool down, fix the breakdown, and only then continue the distillation. Depressurization is not only dangerous by the occurrence of a fire, but also leads to significant losses of moonshine (10-70%).

Distillation cube

It is a container in which the wash boils during the heating process. Parameters:

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 wash, therefore, with frequent use, aluminum stills (especially old ones) become unusable after six months - a leak appears.

Enameled dishes are neutral to acids and alcohols. If used correctly (without bumps and 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, often under the guise of selling ordinary steel with zinc or nickel plating, 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 distillation cube 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 its volume, take this into account when choosing a container. It is also very important that the lid is removable and that the neck is wide enough to comfortably clean the container after distillation.

The volume of the cube is calculated based on the needs for the finished product. For example, in a container of 30 liters for 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 load of mash is 24 liters (30 * 0.8 = 24). The average strength of a correctly made mash is 12%. The amount of distillate at the outlet is 24 * 0.12 = 2.88 (in terms of absolute alcohol with a strength of 100%). In practice, there will always be a loss of moonshine of 8-15%.

Don't forget about the size. The alembic should at least be placed on a stove or other heating element, be stable and not block the approach to the entire apparatus. This is the foundation of safety engineering.

3. Choosing a suitable container. Often, home moonshine still uses containers that were originally intended for other needs: milk cans, pressure cookers or roomy enamel pots.

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

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

Do not overtake a lot of mash in a pressure cooker at a time - the volume of the cube is too small

Enameled pots are convenient in that you can not pour over the mash, but immediately put it on distillation as it is (this is wrong, since the heated sediment increases the amount of harmful impurities in the moonshine, 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 requiring mandatory elimination is the rubber gasket on the lid. The fact is that alcohol vapors absorb substances from rubber, this negatively affects the quality, taste and smell of moonshine. The rubber gaskets must be replaced with silicone ones (made from aquarium silicone).

A can with built-in heating elements is cheap and practical. Top two holes for steam and thermometer

How to make a distillation cube of 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. Further we will consider the modification of the container using the example of an old milk can, but this method of sealing the lid is also suitable in other cases.

Canister finishing technology:

1. Remove the rubber gasket from the cover.

2. Apply aquarium silicone sealant to the metal edges of the lid and leave to dry completely. 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. The result is a silicone seal that replaces the rubber gasket.

The resulting result

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

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

To prolong the life of the can, wash the can after each distillation with soap and plenty of running water. It is strictly forbidden to use soda and other cleaning agents.

Moonshine refrigerator

Consists of two parts - a coil (swirling 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. Must not react with alcohol (or have minimal contact), be safe and non-toxic, withstand high temperatures (up to 100 ° C), 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 the comparative ease of processing (soldering is possible). But this material has one feature - the copper coil requires periodic cleaning with vinegar or citric acid and boiling water (preferably after each distillation), otherwise the plaque accumulated after oxidation with alcohol will negatively affect the quality of the moonshine.

All moonshiners who complain about copper do not clean their machines well. In the world practice of distillation, copper is considered the best or even the only permitted material (France, Scotland) for the manufacture of distillers (alambiks). Slight oxidation of copper with alcohol helps to improve taste, since it reduces the amount of impurities with a bad smell, and increases the concentration of substances that make moonshine soft.

The second most conductive material for the 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, therefore 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 comparative 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 to alcohol, but very fragile and has low thermal conductivity.

Copper coil is the best, but needs 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 - the hydraulic resistance increases (condensed vapors move through the tube already in a liquid state), which reduces the speed of the run.

The optimum length of the coil tube (up to the bend) is 1.5-2 meters.

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

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

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 position of the coil is the most correct, since the condensed moonshine flows into the receiving container by gravity, without obstructing the movement of alcohol vapors. Steam can be fed into the vertical coil from the top or bottom. To minimize resistance, direct steam correctly to the top.

Refrigerator tank parameters

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

Air Cooling - Nice Look, But Low Efficiency

2. Scheme of heat removal. Systems are open (run on running water) and closed (water remains in the tank without circulating, for example, the coil is lowered into a bucket). In terms of implementation and economy, 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.

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

Flow-through circuits are more difficult to manufacture, use more water or energy for pumping (to ensure the circulation of a stable volume of water in order to save), but they require a smaller reservoir and, 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. At the same time, it is important to select the optimal heating intensity (not to exceed the maximum allowable heat supply power) so that the entire system can effectively cope with steam condensation.

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

Refrigerator (cooler) manufacturing

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

Sequencing:

1. Fill the coil tube with sand, soda or other dry, free-flowing material so that the metal does not flatten when curling. If there are no bulk materials at hand, the tube can simply be filled with water and frozen.

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

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

4. Loosen the ends of the finished coil. Pour out sand, rinse with water under pressure.

5. On the cooler body, install the branch pipes for water supply and drainage.

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

Ready-assembled cooler

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

Sucker and bubbler

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

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

The principle of operation of the dry steam tank. Due to a sharp decrease in pressure (the volumes of the supply tube and the can 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 instant of change in the state of aggregation and remain at the bottom of the container.

Bubbler in a moonshine still- a device designed to pass alcohol vapors through a layer of liquid (water). Structurally, it differs from a dry steam tank only by the presence of water in the container before the start of distillation (not always), and by the fact that the steam supply pipe 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 dry steam generator.

Connected steam room

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

Advantages of a dry steam room (bubbler):

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

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

If the moonshine is strong at the exit, for example, even 80-90 degrees, this does not mean that the drink is well purified, it is just that there is water left in the dry 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 dry steamer remain in the first can, and in the following cans only water is removed from the moonshine. Do not think that in terms of the degree of purification, 6-8 dry chambers can replace rectification or fractional distillation, this is physically impossible.

How to make a dry pot or bubbler

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

You will need:

a 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 in the places of the proposed connection: attach the nipple to the cover and circle it with a marker.

2. Make holes. The easiest option is to drive the awl along the drawn lines until the metal of the cover is rubbed through.

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

Inner side

Outer side

The sequence of making a bubbler

4. When connecting to a moonshine still, it should be borne in mind that the inlet tube in the steam room should be 15-30 mm lower than the outlet tube (it is lowered deeper into the jar). In the bubbler, the incoming tube runs along the entire height of the can, 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 can increases significantly and an explosion can occur!

There is only one drawback of bubblers and dryers from the jar - there is no drain for the accumulated liquid (you have to unscrew it), and in case of fractional distillation, it is advisable to clean the container before taking the "body" (main fraction).

A more sophisticated steamer with a drain

Moonshine heating methods

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

Flaws:

high inertia - it will not be possible to quickly reduce or increase the 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;
the installation of automation is practically useless;
high fire hazard of open fire.

Distillation in the open air with wood. What apparatus, so is the color of moonshine

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

Advantages:

fast temperature change (high controllability);
the ability to build in automation and insulate the cube.

Flaws:

solid particles can stick to the working surface of heating elements, careful filtration of the mash is required before distillation;
often heating with electricity is more expensive than gas heating;
heating elements burn out from time to time.

3. Induction hob. Powered by electricity, it is stationary and portable (it is used more often in home brewing).

Advantages:

low inertia - fast change of heating intensity;
good temperature control - induction cookers are equipped with automation, no need to install separate blocks;
in comparison with heating elements, they evenly heat the entire surface of the bottom of the cube, the mash burning occurs in rare cases.

Flaws:

the cost of an induction cooker is quite high;
you can use only distillation stills made of materials containing a magnet (stainless steel, cast iron), in turn, 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 with steam (steam generator). First, the water is brought to a boil and fed directly to the container or to 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 in view of the complexity of the design implementation and the need to purchase (manufacture) special equipment (steam generator), it will not be further considered here.

Installing thermometers in a moonshine still

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

In moonshine stills, three types of thermometers are used (according to the principle of operation):

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

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 impact they can break or show the wrong temperature. Digital thermometers are the leaders in accuracy, but they are expensive.

During distillation, you cannot completely rely on the thermometer readings, especially the first times when the operating modes of a home-made moonshine still have not been tested. Temperature values are auxiliary data. At the exit, the moonshine should be cold or at room temperature, and with fractional distillation, divide the output into fractions correctly according to pure alcohol, sugar content in the mash or by smell (the method of experienced distillers).

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

Thermometers can be placed on a 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 installation cylinder of the thermometer (Velcro and plastic clips are not suitable). From the inside, fix the cylinder with a bolt and secure the structure with a nut. Then insert the thermometer itself.

Attention! At the first start, the home moonshine still should be tested by distilling water, and not immediately pouring the mash. Distilling water is safer, immediately shows problems (if any) and flushes all parts of the structure well.

Designing an apparatus for the production of moonshine is quite an exciting experience. According to experts, earlier, when high-quality stainless steel was a scarce material, devices for home brewing were mainly made from aluminum milk cans-flasks. This design is still relevant today due to its availability and simplicity. Judging by the numerous reviews, it is not difficult to make a moonshine still from a flask with your own hands. To do this, you need a base in the form of an aluminum can for food products and some additional parts. You will find information on how to make a moonshine still from a flask in this article.

Acquaintance

From a flask, it is a special distillation system, in which a large container has become a distillation still. The cube can be made of stainless steel, as well as aluminum. According to experts, the main advantage of a flask moonshine still lies in its cheapness: the manufacturing process is possible without significant financial investments. In addition, the food flasks have large volumes, namely from 25 to 40 liters, due to which the system has significant power. An important fact is that working with aluminum is easy, which cannot be said about stainless steel.

About the device

In view of the fact that a moonshine still from a flask is a home-made device, it has a fairly simple design. A home distiller is represented by a flask-tank, hoses and a special cooling device, which, accordingly, is more often called a refrigerator. In addition, some home-craftsmen equip a home-made moonshine still from a flask with a cleaning device - a dry steamer. With him, judging by the numerous reviews, the distillate turns out to be of much better quality.

Operating principle

Before making a moonshine still from a flask with your own hands, you should get an idea of how the design should work. The final product is obtained from the mash, which is subjected to a heating procedure. Thus, the evaporation of alcohols, water, fusel oils and other impurities occurs. The resulting steam then passes through the distillation system. Its condensation takes place in the refrigerator. There it is cooled and converted into a liquid state. If the device provides for the presence of a dry chamber, then the impurities will settle in it, and the product itself will turn out to be non-toxic. Read more on how to assemble a moonshine still from an aluminum flask below.

Where to begin?

To make a moonshine still from a flask, you must first prepare a distillation cube. Since the milk can was not initially adapted for making moonshine, the master will have to equip it with two holes. One is done in the lid, the second in the wall at the top.

Its diameter should not exceed 5 cm. Before this, the drilling sites are marked with a pencil and the diameter of the tubes is measured so that the holes do not turn out to be larger than necessary. A tube is then inserted into one hole, connecting the flask with the general distillation system, and a thermometer is mounted into the other.

Second step

Very often, beginners ask themselves the question of how to seal the lid of a flask for a moonshine still? This aspect is very important, since alcohol vapors will come out from a poorly sealed can, which will negatively affect the volume of finished products. Sealing the structure can be done after the holes for the hose and temperature sensor are ready. For food tanks, special rubber layers are provided. Converting such a container into a moonshine still, home craftsmen remove this gum and wrap it with FUM tape. After the product is placed in a container with water and boiled. After the interlayer is installed back. In the places where the hoses and the thermometer are connected, it is more advisable to use silicone gaskets, which are tightened by means of nuts. Experts recommend excluding rubber, since it will begin to melt under the influence of high temperatures, and alcohol will turn out with a specific aroma. In the absence of silicone, it is best to smear problem areas with a dough. If it accidentally gets into the drink, then the distiller need not be afraid for its quality.

Completion of work

At this stage, the craftsman needs to connect the hose from the tank to the cooling device. It can be made from a plastic water pipe, both ends of which must be plugged with two plugs.

This should create two lids. In each, two holes should be made using a soldering iron or drill. One large - for the pipe coming from the flask, the second - half-inch - for the fitting. Installation is carried out using special couplings. Cold water will flow into the device through a small hole. Then the covers are tightly screwed onto the pipe and carefully sealed. Due to the fact that during the distillation process a strong pressure forms inside the refrigerator, the plugs, according to some artisans, can fly off. To prevent this, experts advise to fasten them with plastic clamps. Before attaching the second cover, a small bolt hole is drilled in the side of the refrigerator. It is clamped with nuts. It is important that there is a silicone gasket on the inside, the function of which is to prevent cold water from leaking out of the refrigerator. Outside, a hook can be mounted to the bolt, by means of which the entire structure will be attached. At the outlet, a thick tube from the common line is connected to a silicone hose. Distillate will come out of it.

About heating methods

Judging by the reviews, most moonshiners use gas stoves to heat the mash. According to experts, this method is considered not the best.

The fact is that the wash bottle in the container can burn. To prevent this from happening, it is better to use two heating elements with a capacity of 1.5 kW each. Before making the moonshine using electricity, the home craftsman will have to adjust the tank. It is necessary to mount the heating elements in the flask. For this purpose, two holes are made in the container on both sides (if the heating element is U-shaped). If it is spiral, you can limit yourself to one hole with a large diameter. The heaters are hermetically sealed using FUM-tape, thermo-sealant and nuts. Heating elements are connected to a cable, the cross-section of which must be at least 25 mm, and then to a rheostat or an electronic unit. If the capacity of the tank exceeds 30 liters, then, according to the owners, the power of 1.5 kW heating elements will not be enough. The optimal indicator is considered to be 3 kW.

About Sukhoparik

In a classic moonshine still, the presence of any additional devices is not provided. Judging by the reviews, the drink with fusel oils has an unpleasant taste. The fact that the products contain harmful impurities can be recognized by the smell. So that there are no toxic impurities in the moonshine, the distillation structure should be additionally equipped with a cleaning device - a dephlegmator. Sukhoparik is used as a settling tank. You can make it from a one and a half liter glass jar. It is important that it has a threaded tin lid. Using a wood drill, you need to make two holes in the lid.

Then two copper or brass fittings are inserted into the sump. They are supplied with nuts and rubber washers. Automotive tubes made of copper are suitable for a homemade sukhoparik. They must be inserted into the lid so that one is 50 mm longer than the other. One tube connects the reflux condenser with a distillation flask, the other with a refrigerator.

About the drain valve

If the moonshine device is made from a tank with a capacity of no more than 25 liters, then the structure does not need to be equipped. To drain the mash, it is enough to remove the product from the gas stove, remove the lid and tilt the tank. A wide neck will be enough to remove the vinasse and then rinse the container. If the flask is designed for 40 liters, then you cannot do without a special drain device. You can buy it at any hardware store in the plumbing department.