Moonshine machine from a keg: instructions for making your own hands

Beer kegs are the most durable and high-quality of all household containers suitable for making moonshine stills. The only "downside" of such a base is the need for large-scale recycling. You will have to work hard: you will need skills with a grinder, welding machine, screwdriver, as well as a lot of time and effort. But the result will be worth it: the distiller will be no worse than the factory one.

Advantages of a moonshine still from a keg

1. Quality material. Modern beer tanks are made of durable stainless steel for food use. Wall thickness - at least 1.5 mm. The material tolerates high temperatures and is inert to alcohol. You can also find old Soviet aluminum vessels, but it is better not to use them.

2. The optimal size. For compact distillers, 20 and 25-liter containers are suitable: they are convenient to heat on the stove. If you need a larger cube, you can take a 30 or 50 liter keg. It is better to equip such a container with electric heaters.

3. The presence of convenient holes-grips for carrying. Thanks to the handles, the distiller is easy to move.

4. Availability. New beer containers are quite expensive, but you can find used options that will not require serious expenses.

5. Variability. A keg distiller can be easily equipped with any elements: a steam generator, a column, a drying tower, a heating element, etc. д.

Instructions for making a distiller from a keg

1. Cut off the protruding metal edges at the top of the container, leaving convenient handles for transporting the cube, clean the edges. For the cut to be symmetrical on both sides, it is better to mark the pattern in advance.

2. Using a grinder, make a round hole in the keg lid for the flange connection. Weld the flange by cutting it from a piece of stainless steel and drilling 6 holes for bolts. A silicone gasket is required for sealing.

3. Secure the lid with the wing joints.

4. Install an adapter in the neck, connect a wide steam pipe made of sealed stainless steel pipe to it for communication with the drying tower/column and other elements of the apparatus.

5. Make a hole in the top of the keg for the fitting, fix the thermometer in it, seal the joint with silicone or fum-tape. Optionally provide the tank with a pressure relief valve.

6. In the bottom of the keg, cut in a tap to drain the bard, seal the joint.

7. If the tank is large (from 30 liters), it is recommended to provide it with heating elements (one adjustable or two unregulated). To do this, drill the appropriate holes for the clamps on the side of the keg, 5 cm from the bottom. Optionally equip the cube with legs.

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Additional recommendations

If the factory fitting remains in the purchased keg, you need to remove it with the help of levers or a special key. This is quite difficult to do, so it is better to choose a container with a screw cap or with the fitting already removed.

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When converting a keg into a distiller, you can do without a flange connection, and use the existing hole for draining the bard and washing. But it will make the operation of the still much more complicated.

It is most convenient to connect the adapter to the steam line or the pipe of the distillation column with the help of a clamp clamp. You can choose the right diameter in specialized stores. An alternative option is to install a fitting in the lid, to which the drying tower and other devices are attached.

Update: 15.02.2019

Category: Vodka an Moonshine