How to choose the right moonshine still for home

Many moonshiners, based on many years of experience in the manufacture of alcohol, prefer to use their own designs for distillation. However, the manufacture of such a system is not for everyone, and it does not always pay off.

For a reasonable price, you can find a decent moonshine still, without thinking about the intricacies of its design and assembly. The choice of models is quite wide, so it is recommended to consider different options and decide on important parameters before buying.

Traditional distillers

The most popular option, which is used by both experienced distillers and beginners.

Disadvantages:

1. Affordable price.

2. Ease of operation.

3. The ability to preserve the original aroma and taste of raw materials, the production of various drinks.

Cons:

1. Loss of time for 2-3 times distillation.

2. Separation into fractions.

3. The need for additional purification of the brew (especially grain and sugar) to obtain a quality product.

4. Impossibility of complete purification from impurities.

This group includes the following options: a classic device with and without a dryhouse, alambic. The latter option is very expensive and beautiful: the upper part is made in the form of a dome, copper is usually used as a material. However, in practical terms, the device does not bring any benefit: it is worth buying only as a gift.

For regular distillation, it is better to use a classic apparatus.

As for the presence or absence of a drying tower, there are several nuances. Contrary to the assurances of sellers, the dry still does not have any special benefits in terms of purification from harmful impurities, but it allows you to flavor moonshine and produce unusual drinks such as calvados, whiskey, cognac, etc. д. It also protects the coil from splashes.

Among the classic models, budget options "Peasant 2" are popular.0", "Slavinka" are more expensive devices: "Dobry Zhar", "Germany", "Japan", "Finland".

Moonshine stills NBK (continuous brewing column)

Pros:

1. Efficiency: NBK devices allow you to get alcohol of a higher quality degree than traditional moonshine stills.

2. Process control: They provide a more stable distillation process, making it easier to control product quality.

3. Productivity: NBC stills are capable of producing large volumes of alcohol in continuous mode, which is convenient for large-scale production.

4. Compliance with standards: Products produced using NBKs are often more closely compliant with regulations and standards than traditional moonshine.

Disadvantages:

1. Complexity of operation: NBC machines require higher operator qualifications and more complex maintenance.

2. High cost: They are usually more expensive than conventional moonshine stills, which can be an obstacle for beginner producers.

3. Legal restrictions: In many countries the use of NBC stills may be restricted or prohibited without special licenses.

4. Safety risks: If operated incorrectly, NBC stills can be dangerous due to high temperatures and pressures.

One-size-fits-all systems

Universal systems, which allow the production of both rectifiers and distillates, using liquid sampling units for the separation of heads and tails, have their advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

1. Production flexibility: Universal systems provide the flexibility to choose the type of product (rectified alcohol or distillate) without the need to invest in different stills.

2. Efficiency: Heads and tails separation allows for a cleaner, higher quality product by removing harmful components.

3. Saving resources: Using one system for different types of products can be more economical than buying different machines.

4. Quality control: Separation of heads and tails allows for closer control of the process and product quality.

Disadvantages:

1. Difficulty of setting up: Setting up universal systems may require experience and expertise to achieve the desired results.

2. Equipment costs: Universal systems can be more expensive than more specialized devices.

3. The need for monitoring: Heads and tails selection requires constant monitoring and regular inspection to avoid non-compliance with safety and quality standards.

4. Legal restrictions: As with other moonshine stills, the use of universal systems may be restricted by the legislation in your country.

Column type stills

More expensive and technically complex designs that allow you to get the purest possible product of high strength without multiple distillations. This category of devices includes 2 types of columns: mash and distillation.

1. Brewing stills

   It is used to produce all kinds of beverages: from ordinary moonshine to "special" distillates, such as whiskey, cognac, or chacha. The disadvantage of such apparatus is significant losses of alcohol from the mash: from 40 to 70%. This means that about half of the total amount of alcohol contained in the brew can be extracted. Advantages: versatility, high-quality purification from impurities while preserving the aromatic properties of raw materials, reasonable price, relative ease of operation, relative ease of operation.

2. Distillation column

   Usually used for the production of pure strong alcohol (94-96%) without taste and odor. The design often includes several modes of operation and can be converted into a conventional distiller or a brewing column if necessary. Requires certain skills in moonshining. "Pros": high degree of purification, variability of use. "Cons: high cost, large dimensions.

The most popular devices of this type: "Wayne 4", "Luxstal 5", "Alkash Deluxe Pro", "Dzherelo".

Important characteristics of the moonshine still

1. Cube volume, performance

   For beginners, an average capacity of 15-20 liters is optimal. If large production volumes are planned, you can consider devices for 30-50 liters. The more productive the device, the larger and more expensive it is. The average performance benchmark for classic distillers is 2-4 liters per hour. Distillation columns are slower but produce a cleaner product.

2. Material

   Home craftsmen make distillation devices from any materials. The most reliable and safe options are stainless food steel and copper. It is better to refuse aluminum. "Stainless steel is more affordable than copper, so it is used more often. The optimal wall thickness is 1-2 mm.

3. Features of the design

   Standard devices are similar in design to each other. But you should pay attention to the little things that can cause inconvenience in the process. A collapsible version is better than a non-collapsible one, as it facilitates maintenance and cleaning. The presence of drain taps on the cube and dry steamer simplifies operation. If you plan to use the device in a country house with unreliable water supply, you should choose models that do not require running water. A "plus" is the presence of at least one thermometer. The presence of automation both simplifies and complicates the work. In case of failure of any of its elements, the whole system usually stops working, which is not very convenient.

Common mistakes when choosing a moonshine still

1. Choosing a device with a small distillation cube

   It should be borne in mind that the volume of the container does not correspond to the product output, and it is filled only by ¾. To obtain a large amount of moonshine, you need several distillations or a spacious cube.

2. Ignoring home conditions

   The owner of a spacious villa can afford almost any option, even a high distillation column, even a "mini-factory" for the production of moonshine. But if the apartment conditions are limited, you need to think in advance where the device will be placed. If there is not enough space in the kitchen, you can pay attention to the device with heating elements: it will save space and eliminate the need to be tied to the stove.

3. Purchase of goods from dubious sellers

   This point can basically be applied to any purchase. As for moonshine stills, do not be fooled by the promises of "100% purification", "double distillation", "imported production", "super-fast distillation" or a large number of options and gifts (which may turn out to be unnecessary). It is better to make sure that the company has a good reputation.

4. Buying a very cheap/expensive model

   There are decent options among the budget options, but you should not grab what you can to save money. Otherwise, you will soon have to buy a new device, not to mention the health effects of low-quality materials. Too expensive devices should be bought after weighing all the advantages and disadvantages: they do not always justify their cost.

5. Choosing a device with a narrow neck or several drying rooms

   The neck should be easy to pass the hand, so you can easily wash the structure. As for several dry stills, this is nothing more than a marketing ploy: their number does not affect the quality of moonshine. The only "plus" is the increase in degree.

The result from Vzboltai

If you plan to make only high-quality pure vodka, it is better to give preference to a distillation column.

If you want to experiment with the aromas and flavors of alcohol and save money, you should buy a traditional distiller.

If you plan to produce different types of alcohol and are not worried about the loss of mash, you can stop at the mash column.

Before buying, it is recommended to read reviews, talk to experts on the moonshine forum and ask the seller in detail.

Update: 02.10.2023

Category: Vodka an Moonshine