Do-it-yourself dry-house for a moonshine still

Disputes about whether or not a sump is needed in a moonshine still are endless. Some believe that the device helps to remove some fusel oils from the drink, while others are convinced that this element is absolutely useless in the process of distillate purification. Nevertheless, no one will deny the benefits of a dry steamer in terms of flavoring alcohol and protecting it from splashing.

Vzboltai recommends using additional methods of moonshine purification if possible, for example, equipping the device with a deflagration or rectification column. But, since for many moonshiners the bubbler seems to be mandatory in the design of the distiller, it is not necessary to refuse it: there is still some benefit.

Types of drying stills

1. Without a drain cock/with a drain cock

   The second option is preferable because it allows you to remove fusel oils during the distillation process. But it is quite difficult to make such a device.

2. Drying house / bubbler

   The peculiarity of the latter is the presence of water inside the tank, into which the inlet hose is lowered. It is believed that this design better retains harmful impurities.

3. Collapsible/non-collapsible

   The latter option is not very convenient in operation: it is difficult to wash it well, as a result of which some condensate remains inside the jar and can get into the final product.

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Also, drying tanks can differ in orientation in space.

For example, in factory devices, vertical settling tanks are often found, which are located directly above the cube.

At home, a regular glass jar is usually used to make a dry still, which can only be connected to the side of the cube with a hose.

This option works well, is easy to manufacture and is quite durable. If necessary, the container can be replaced and the device can be used without any problems.

The classic dry steamer from a jar

The size of the jar is determined by the volume of the distillation cube: the ratio of the liter should be 1:10.

The finished sump is installed between the cube and the cooler using flexible silicone hoses or metal tubes.

When connecting the device, you must ensure proper placement: steam from the cube should flow through the silicone tube inside the jar and exit from the hole with the lock nut to the refrigerator.

Materials

1. Hose fitting with ½ female thread - 1 pc.

2. Hose fitting with ½ external thread - 2 pcs.

3. Lock nut ½ - 1 pc.

4. Glass jar with a metal screw cap - 1 pc.

5. A piece of silicone hose - 10-15 cm

6. Wood drill bit

Manufacturing instructions

1. Make marks for the holes on the lid of the jar so that the distance between them is sufficient to accommodate the female threaded fitting and lock nut.

2. Drill round holes according to the marks.

3. Insert male threaded fittings into the holes so that the ends for the hoses are on the outside.

4. Put silicone seals on the inside of the fittings. These can be cut from an additional piece of hose or from a separate sheet.

5. Screw the lock nut onto one of the fittings from the inside, place the female threaded fitting onto the other and attach a piece of hose to it.

6. Connect the dry steamer with the cube: connect the steam line to the hose fitting, the cooler to the fitting with the lock nut.

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Additional recommendations

1. There is no point in equipping a distiller with several drying trays: they do not perform better cleaning. The advantage of this system is an increase in the strength of the final product, but with a loss of volume.

2. The use of a dry still does not mean that you can get by with a one-time distillation when making moonshine. To get a quality drink, you need to perform double distillation or improve the apparatus.

3. To flavor alcohol, you can put aromatic ingredients in the dry still: herbs, spices, rhizomes, citrus peel, slices of fruit and dried fruit. Do not fill the jar completely: odorous components should not fill more than ¼ of the capacity.

4. The simplest design of the still can be constructed even without fittings: only from a jar and a hose threaded into the holes. But the tightness of such a device is questionable: it is better to check it by distilling water.

5. If you use a stainless steel lid with metal tubes soldered to it, the design will be more reliable and durable. In this case, the end of one of the tubes should go 10 cm deep into the jar, and the end of the other should be almost at the bottom.

6. Optionally, the neck of the jar can be wrapped with fum-tape before putting on the lid to increase the tightness of the device. But you will have to change it after each washing of the drying tun.

Update: 14.02.2019

Category: Vodka an Moonshine