Do-it-yourself moonshine still from a flask + step-by-step instructions from a milk can

1) The choice of capacity
2) The advantages of a canned distiller
3) Instructions for making a moonshine still from a flask
4) Additional recommendations

Home craftsmen make distillers from any available containers, from enamel buckets to beer kegs.

One of the easiest ways to make a moonshine still is to recycle a milk can. It will not be difficult to purchase such containers: many have preserved old flasks from the Soviet era, some manufacturers still produce them today, and the Internet is full of offers for the sale of used containers.

The processing itself is quite simple: the only thing you need to do is cut the appropriate holes and decide on the package.

The choice of capacity

If you have an old milk can in your household, the question of alternative options is eliminated. If you are planning to buy a tank, you should pay attention to the following nuances:

Material. It is better to give preference to stainless food steel. Stainless steel cans are produced by Chinese and European manufacturers. The first ones are more affordable, the second ones are better. In the CIS, aluminum versions are more common, but such containers have many disadvantages: they are less durable and have a bad effect on the characteristics of moonshine. The only advantages are cheapness and lightness.
The volume. The range of metal flasks includes containers of various capacities ranging from 10 to 100 liters. It is better to stop at the "golden mean": 20-50 liters is the optimal volume for a home distillation cube.

The advantages of a canned distiller

Availability and durability. If you use a used container, the cost of purchasing it will be minimal. The service life of such a device is practically unlimited.
The capacity. You can choose a tank of absolutely any volume according to your needs.
Possibility of installing factory equipment. Factory columns and other elements are easily attached to the cans. There are even special lines of components produced for milk flasks.
Convenience. After a pressure cooker, a milk can is considered the most optimal basis for a homemade moonshine still. The lid of the container fits snugly to the neck of the vessel, thanks to a special gasket and a reliable lock. Wide neck makes it easy to pour brew and wash the flask.

Instructions for making a moonshine still from a flask

Make a hole in the lid of the container with a feather drill.
Insert the fitting into the hole, tighten it with a nut from the inside, and seal the connection with a silicone gasket for tightness.
Drill a hole in the side of the can just below the lid for a bimetallic thermometer, fix the device with a nut with a silicone gasket. You can also install the device on top, but then the readings will be less accurate.
Attach a stainless steel gas hose to the fitting on the lid, connect it to the dry steamer (you can make it yourself or buy a ready-made one).
Attach a hose/tube to the dry steamer, connect it to the refrigerator (you can also buy or make it yourself).

Additional recommendations

The lid of each milk flask is equipped with a special gasket made of silicone or rubber. The first option is ideal. But it is recommended to replace the rubber product in order not to get moonshine with a specific flavor. The easiest option is to wrap the gasket with fum-tape: it will serve as a barrier and strengthen the base. After winding, it is recommended to boil the product. You can also cut a gasket from a single sheet, pour silicone sealant into the groove on the lid (safe aquarium sealant is best), or use an ordinary silicone hose by cutting it lengthwise and placing it on the rim of the container.

A distillation column can be attached to the can. In this case, the hole on the lid should be larger to accommodate a special adapter.

It's more convenient to buy a dryer and a refrigerator as a set, so you don't have to connect them. Instead of/along with a sump, you can use a deflagration device for better beverage purification.

If the volume of the can is more than 20 liters, it is recommended to provide it with a drain valve to remove the bard (residues of spent brew). Smaller containers are easily removed from the stove, thanks to convenient handles, and do not require such an addition.

It will not be superfluous to install a safety valve on the lid of the flask. A pressure relief device can be bought or removed from an old pressure cooker/multi-cooker.

Optionally, the can is equipped with heating elements for use of the device outside the stove and steam pipeline for distillation of thick wort. They are cut into the bottom of the container, just above the bottom. The joints are sealed with fum-tape or heat-resistant putty.