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 craftsmen according to their own drawings and diagrams.
The advantage 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, installed only to attract a 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.
Scheme of operation of a moonshine still with a 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 dangerous to health. Therefore, we will begin our 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 device, but causes a lot of problems during cleaning.
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 the best option are tubes made of food grade stainless steel.
It is important to be able to distinguish silicone hoses from those made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride saturates alcohol with toxic substances when in contact with hot steam). PVC burns with a lot of smoke and an unpleasant odor. Silicone does not smoke when burned, leaving a subtle smell and light ash. Silicone tubing is much softer to the touch than PVC and costs about twice as much.
Left - silicone, right - PVC For branching turns, moving from one diameter to another and connecting different parts in metal pipelines, fittings and fittings are used, which can be found in plumbing stores or in construction markets. For the manufacture of moonshine, fittings made of brass, bronze and stainless steel are suitable ( best option) for heating networks, capable of withstanding high temperature and pressure. For sealing purposes, the use of heat-resistant glue and cold welding is allowed, the main thing is to avoid rubber gaskets.
Can also be used to seal pipes organic matter- a regular dough that does not affect the distillate. There are two drawbacks: a lot of time is spent on kneading and sealing joints, and after distillation, the dried dough has to be scraped off.
Sealing with dough - touching the ancient traditions, followed by scraping 🙂 The assembled moonshine must be airtight. If steam seeps through the tubes, it is best to stop the distillation, let the equipment cool down, repair the breakdown, and only then continue the distillation. Depressurization is not only dangerous as a fire, but also leads to significant losses of moonshine (10-70%).
alembic
It is a container in which the mash boils during the heating process. Options:
1. Material. Aluminum - most often found in "Soviet" moonshine stills due to the wide distribution of aluminum milk cans. Aluminum partially reacts with acids and alcohol in mash, therefore, with frequent use, aluminum stills (especially old ones) become unusable after six months - a leak appears.
Enamelware is neutral to acids and alcohols. With proper use (no bumps or 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 their guise they sell ordinary galvanized or nickel-plated steel, which is not so durable.
Copper cubes are also suitable, however, in most cases this is an unreasonably expensive solution, especially for beginner 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 up to a maximum of 80% of the volume, consider this when choosing a container. It is also very important that the lid is removable and that the neck width is large enough for comfortable cleaning of the container after distillation.
The volume of the cube is calculated based on the needs of the finished product. For example, in a container of 30 liters in 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 properly made mash is 12%. The amount of distillate at the exit 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%.
We should not forget about the dimensions. The alembic should at least fit on a stove or other heating element, be stable and not block the access to the entire apparatus. This is the basis of safety engineering.
3. Choosing the right container. Often, in home moonshine stills, containers are used that were originally intended for other needs: milk cans, pressure cookers or capacious 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 modification required is to drill a hole in the lid for the steam outlet tube. described in a separate article.
In a pressure cooker, you can’t overtake a lot of mash at a time - the volume of the cube is too small Enameled pots are convenient in that you can not pour the mash that has won back, but immediately put it for 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 that requires 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. Rubber gaskets should 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. Next, we will consider the refinement of the container using the example of an old milk can, but this method of sealing the lid is suitable in other cases.
Can refinement 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. Apply cellophane to the neck of the can and close the lid. Leave for a couple of hours until completely dry. You will get a silicone seal that replaces the rubber gasket.
Result An alternative, simpler sealing method is to overlap the rubber with several layers of fum tape and boil for 60 minutes in boiling water.
4. Make a hole in the lid of the can for connection with a coil or dry steamer. If the inner diameter of the coil is 12 mm, the suitable hole for the pipe in the can is 22 mm and the thread is 0.5 in. Adapters are sold at plumbing supply stores.
To extend the life of the can, wash the can after each distillation with soap and plenty of running water. The use of soda and other cleaning products is strictly prohibited.
moonshine refrigerator
It consists of two parts - a coil (swirled tube) and a reservoir for cooling this tube. The cooling compartment is the most important element of the whole structure, on the functioning of which the quantity and quality of moonshine depends.
Coil parameters
1. Material. Should not react with alcohol (or have minimal contact), be safe and non-toxic, withstand high temperatures (up to 100°C), and have high thermal conductivity. Based on the requirements, four options are possible: copper, aluminum, stainless steel (grades for food products) and glass.
Copper has the highest thermal conductivity, another advantage is the relative ease of processing (soldering is possible). But this material has one feature - the copper coil requires periodic cleaning with vinegar or citric acid with boiling water (preferably after each distillation), otherwise the plaque accumulated after oxidation with alcohol will negatively affect the quality of moonshine.
All moonshiners complaining about copper don't 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 (alambiques). Light oxidation of copper with alcohol improves taste, as it reduces the amount of impurities with a bad smell, and increases the concentration of substances that make moonshine soft.
The second most thermally 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 into moonshine useful substances, so 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 relative 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 is very brittle and has low thermal conductivity.
Copper serpentine is the best, but requires regular cleaning 2. Dimensions and thickness of the tube. The longer the tube, the greater the area of contact between the steam and the cooling element. But there is also by-effect of great length - hydraulic resistance increases (condensed vapors move through the tube already in a liquid state), which reduces the speed of the haul.
The optimal length of the coil tube (before bending) 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 area of contact between the steam and the walls). But tubes of very large diameter are bulky, require a lot of water for cooling and are difficult to process, so you have to look for a "golden mean".
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, quickly break.
A suitable coil thickness is 0.9-1.1 mm.
3. Orientation in space. There are three connection options: horizontal, vertical and inclined.
Ceteris paribus, the vertical arrangement of the coil is the most correct, since the condensed moonshine flows into the receiving container by gravity, without creating obstacles to the movement of alcohol vapor. Steam can be fed into the vertical coil from above or below. To minimize resistance, properly direct the steam to the top.
Refrigerator Tank Parameters
1. Substance. At home, the coil is cooled with air, water or ice. The vast majority of designs use water cooling, as the simplest and most efficient.
Air cooling - beautiful view but low efficiency 2. Scheme of heat removal. Systems are open (work 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.
The bucket is a classic example of a closed water cooling circuit. Flow circuits are more difficult to manufacture, use more water or energy to pump (circulate a steady volume of water to save money), require a smaller tank and, all other things being equal, produce distillate High Quality.
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 choose 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 below, and to remove it from above, so that the water moves towards the steam, creating a counterflow, otherwise the lower part of the coil will not cool well.
Production of a refrigerator (cooler)
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. As a reservoir for installing the coil, a plastic or metal pipe with a diameter of 75-80 mm. A drawing of a moonshine refrigerator is shown in the photo.
Sequencing:
1. Fill the coil tube with sand, soda or other dry, loose material so that the metal does not flatten when curled. If there are no bulk materials at hand, the tube can simply be filled with water and frozen.
2. Hammer the ends with wooden pegs (chops) so that the sand does not spill out. Can be tightly clamped or soldered. It is desirable to weld a nut on one of the ends.
3. Wind the tube around any smooth, cylindrical object with an even 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 \u200b\u200bof the length, diameter and thickness indicated in the article, it is correct to take a step between the turns of 12 mm.
4. Release the ends of the finished coil. Pour sand, rinse with water under pressure.
5. On the body of the cooler, install branch pipes for supplying and discharging water.
6. Place the coil inside the housing. Install plugs at the top and bottom. Seal all connections.
Complete cooler assembly The speed of the cooler of this design is up to 3 liters of moonshine per hour.
Sukhoparnik and bubbler
Optional, but desirable (especially for beginners) moonshine still modules.
Sukhoparnik - a sealed glass or metal container between the distillation cube and the refrigerator, entering which the vapors are first cooled, and then some of the substances boil again and move to the coil.
The principle of operation of the dryer. Due to a sharp decrease in pressure (the volumes of the inlet pipe and the jar differ hundreds of times), the temperature drops, as a result, the vapor passes into the liquid phase (condenses), but is immediately heated by a new portion of hot vapor from the cube, again turning into gaseous state. But some of the water and fusel oils with a high boiling point do not have time to boil during this short moment of change in the state of aggregation and remain at the bottom of the tank.
Bubbler in moonshine still- a device designed to pass alcohol vapor through a layer of liquid (water). Structurally, it differs from a dry steamer only in the presence of water in the container before the start of distillation (not always), and in the fact that the steam supply tube is lowered into the jar almost to the bottom. The purpose and principle of operation of the bubbler are the same as those of the dry steamer.
Connected dry steamer 
Bubbler - the steam supply tube is lowered closer to the bottom, the distillate is flavored with lemon zest Advantages of a dry steamer (bubbler):
- is a protection against splashing - hitting the home brew in the finished moonshine with too much heat;
- makes the distillate stronger;
- cleans moonshine from some fusel oils (only a small part);
- allows you to aromatize alcohol during distillation (it is enough to put citrus fruit zest, apple slices, etc. in a jar).
It is advisable to use one steamer or bubbler in the moonshine still. Sequential installation of 2-6 pieces only leads to an increase in the strength of moonshine, but does not affect cleaning.
If the moonshine is strong at the outlet, for example, even 80-90 degrees, then this does not mean that the drink is well purified, it’s just that water remained in the 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 next cans only water is removed from the moonshine. Do not think that according to the degree of purification, 6-8 dry steamers can replace rectification or fractional distillation, this is physically impossible.
How to make a steamer or bubbler
The capacity of the steamer (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 airtight container;
- 2 fittings;
- 2 nuts;
- marker;
- awl;
- heat-resistant adhesive or cold welding.
Instruction:
1. Mark the diameter of the holes in the places of the intended connection: attach the fitting to the cover and circle 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 fittings and secure with nuts. For sealing, process the holes on the outer and inner sides with cold welding or heat-resistant glue.
Inner side 
Outer side 
Bubbler Manufacturing Sequence 4. When connecting to a moonshine still, it should be borne in mind that in the steamer the inlet tube should be lower than the outlet tube by 15-30 mm (deeper lowered into the jar). In the bubbler, the inlet 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 exit through the long one), the pressure in the can increases significantly and an explosion may occur!
There is only one drawback of bubblers and dry steamers from the can - there is no drain for the accumulated liquid (you have to unscrew it), and during fractional distillation it is desirable to clean the container before selecting the "body" (main fraction).
A more complex dry steamer with a drain Ways to heat the moonshine still
1. Open fire. In most cases, this refers to heating on a gas stove or burner, but there are also coal and firewood. Advantages of this method: simplicity, availability and often economy.
Flaws:
- high inertia - it will not be possible to quickly reduce or increase power, as a result, it is difficult to control the temperature in the cube, experience is required;
- it is very difficult to insulate a distillation cube to reduce heat loss in order to save money;
- installation of automation is practically useless;
- high fire hazard of open fire.
Distillation outdoors with firewood. What apparatus, such and the color of moonshine 2. Built-in electric heating elements. Devices (one or several at once) are mounted directly into the cube. Suitable heating elements made of stainless steel or brass.
Advantages:
- fast temperature change (high controllability);
- the ability to mount 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 on electricity is more expensive than gas;
- occasionally heating elements burn out.
3. Induction cooker. It works by electricity, it can be stationary and portable (it is used more often in home brewing).
Advantages:
- low inertia - quick 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, burning of the mash happens in rare cases.
Flaws:
- the cost of the induction cooker is quite high;
- only distillation cubes made of materials containing a magnet (stainless steel, cast iron) can be used, 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 served directly into the container or on the outer walls. The system allows you to control (automate) the entire process and eliminate the risk of burning, therefore it is suitable for the distillation of thick brews. But in view of the complexity of the implementation of the design 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 measuring the temperature, but a properly installed thermometer allows you to change the container in time during fractional distillation and adjust the intensity of heating.
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 with temperature fluctuations;
- digital - measurements are recorded due to changes in pressure.
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 leaders in accuracy, but are expensive.
During distillation, one cannot rely entirely on the readings of a thermometer, especially the first time when the operating modes of a home-made moonshine still have not yet been tested. Temperature values are auxiliary data. At the output, moonshine should be cold or at room temperature, and during fractional distillation, the output should be divided into fractions correctly by pure alcohol, sugar content in mash or by smell (the method of experienced distillers).
Fastening. The thermometer in the moonshine still can be installed at the exit from the cube (in the upper part) or before entering the refrigerator. The second option is preferable, as it allows you to measure the temperature of the steam before condensation. But the thermometer in the 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 the cube or in front of the refrigerator For installation, it is enough to make a hole, the diameter of which matches the diameter of the thermometer's installation cylinder (fastenings with Velcro and plastic clips are not suitable). From the inside, fix the cylinder with a bolt and fix the structure with a nut. Then insert the thermometer itself.
Attention! When you first start a home-made moonshine, you should test it by distilling water, and not immediately fill in the mash. Water distillation is safer, immediately shows problems (if any) and washes well all parts of the structure.
A water distiller is a special equipment that allows you to purify the liquid with the highest quality. Then it can be used for its intended purpose.
What is a distiller used for?
Distilled liquid has a certain feature: it is completely freed from any impurities. That is, there are no trace elements in the treated water. The purified liquid is used quite widely:
In medicine (for the preparation of medicines);
In industry (for the operation of devices that can only work with treated water);
in car batteries;
At home. Some people use this water for food. Although it is not recommended to do this all the time.
Advantages of the presented device
A household distiller has certain advantages:
Made from safe materials;
Effectively cleans the liquid from any impurities;
Easy to use;
Does not require a large number energy;
May have additional filters and functions (automatic adjustment of water supply and purification);
Works almost silently.
Naturally, such devices have certain disadvantages. For example, to work simple device you need a gas burner that can heat water to evaporation temperature. Naturally, such a unit must be carefully monitored. In addition, the device may have large dimensions.
The design of the device and the principle of its operation
A do-it-yourself distiller is made very quickly, you just need to figure out its design and assemble necessary materials. So, the simplest model consists of a container in which water is boiled, a tube where the steam is cooled, and a receiving vessel where the already processed moisture is collected.
Naturally, there are more complex models that have additional cleaning elements - various filters. In addition, you have the opportunity to automate a homemade device.
How to make a distiller with your own hands? First of all, you need to understand the principle of its operation. So, in the container where the water will be boiled, an outlet tube is inserted, its second end is attached to the receiving vessel. When the liquid begins to heat up to high temperature, it turns into steam. As it passes through the outlet tube, it cools and transforms into water droplets, which are collected in a receiving vessel. That's all wisdom.
What materials and tools are needed to make the product?
Now let's look at what you can make a simple distiller with your own hands. You will need:
1. Small diameter tubing made from any safe material. It will play the role of a cooler, a steam condenser. Brass or copper works best for this.
2. Container for boiling water. It must be airtight. In principle, you can use a regular kettle, only the spout will have to be closed. When choosing a container, pay attention to its volume.
3. Vessel for receiving purified water. It can be an ordinary glass jar.
4. Connecting elements: clamps, wire, rubber hose or other fasteners.
As for tools, you only need pliers. Please note that it is best to use high quality stainless steel pipe. The fact is that the presented element will often be exposed to the negative effects of high temperature and moisture, so the metal must be protected from corrosion and rusting. In addition, this metal will make the device as durable as possible. Moreover, stainless steel does not require periodic cleaning from limescale.
By the way, to make a distiller with your own hands, instead of a kettle, you can use a faulty pressure cooker. Its great advantage is that it is hermetically sealed. The only thing is that you will have to make a hole in the lid so that you can insert the tube there.
Features of the manufacture of the device
Now let's see how to build a vacuum distiller with your own hands. All work consists of several stages:
1. First, make a coil out of the pipe. To do this, it must be turned into a spiral. If the pipe is plastic, then bending it is not difficult. Another thing is if the element is made of metal. Here you need to try or purchase a ready-made coil. In this case, the construction of the apparatus will not require much effort, it will not be necessary to use welding or a soldering iron.
2. Now, using the clamp, connect the pipe to the containers. To do this, you can use a regular rubber hose. And to seal the connections, use a regular wire or clamp. At the same time, keep in mind that there should not be any traffic jams in the system, otherwise the device will simply explode during operation.
That's all. Now you have learned how to make a household distiller with your own hands. Naturally, the manufacturing process has some features.
When you make a household distiller with your own hands, do not forget about the banal safety precautions and compliance with certain rules. For example, during operation, try not to touch the elements of the device, as they will become very hot. Please note that all connections must be well sealed.
Also pay attention to the direction of the steam. It should come from top to bottom, which will contribute to more effective work devices. The presented unit does not require special care. Naturally, it is desirable to keep it clean. During production, try to be as accurate as possible in the calculations. You need to design a distiller according to a previously drawn drawing.
To further cool the tube in which the vapor will condense, you can use ordinary ice. To do this, put on it and secure the usual plastic bottle. The entry and exit openings must also be carefully sealed. To do this, just warm up the plastic. That's all the features of the manufacture of the distiller. Good luck!
A variety of physical and chemical processes for converting liquids from one state to another allows the use of the resulting products both in everyday life and in industry. Distillation is one of the methods that alchemists have used since ancient times to change the properties of various consistencies.
What is a distiller for?
The scope of the use of devices for changing the properties of a liquid is very large. They are used for the following purposes:
Depending on the tasks set, distillers have different sizes and specifics of the physical and chemical process of distillation of a liquid from one state to another.
Device and principle of operation of the device
How the distiller works is known to every person who has had to deal with home brewing. Apparatus for distillation and purification of water, works as follows:
The description is simple, but the distillation process is actually complicated. The technique of collecting steam in the upper part of the tank can be performed with additional cooling of the upper cavity or using a funnel. And the cooler is made in the form of a separate vessel or spiral located in a container with a forced decrease in temperature, the value of which affects the quality of liquid purification. The material and diameter of the tubes, the number of turns of the spiral and the direction of movement of vapors in the distillation system have a great influence on the quality of purified water.
IMPORTANT! For the correct operation of the equipment, the resulting steam must move through the pipelines and the evaporator from top to bottom!
The sizes of household distillers capable of producing a small amount of purified water allow the equipment to be installed on a stove and a working kitchen table. The dimensions of industrial units depend on the volume of distillation and may occupy separate premises or workshops.
REFERENCE! Purification by means of condensation of steam into a liquid allows you to get products devoid of harmful impurities! The treatment of some specific diseases requires the periodic use of distilled water!
With frequent consumption of distilled products in technical or medical purposes, you sometimes have to deal with a low degree of purification of the purchased liquid. In order for the used water to meet the desired requirements, it is best to prepare it yourself, or rather, with the help of a distiller, hand-made.
What you need to make a distiller with your own hands
Before making the unit, you need to prepare two containers: one for boiling, the second for collecting purified water. The first should be hermetically sealed, for this you can use an old kettle or pressure cooker. The second tank is less demanding on design features.
For the manufacture of the evaporator and the connection of the vessels, you will need a metal tube, preferably made of brass, due to the flexibility of which a spiral is made. To make the connections of the container with the tube tight, you will need a bench tool, soldering iron, clamps or wire. In addition, you will need a device for making a spiral, a coolant tank and a hose of the appropriate diameter to connect all structural elements.
ATTENTION! Do not use old rusty pots or pipes to assemble the distiller! The selected material must be good quality and not be exposed to corrosion or high temperatures!
Before assembly, it is desirable to make a sketch reflecting the layout of nodes and connections of all elements of the assembled structure. The presence of such a picture will help to assemble the unit.
The manufacturing process of the device
When assembling a distiller, it is necessary to go through several stages of work.
- A hole is made in the lid of the boiling tank, which is equipped with a sealed flange pipe or a small piece of pipe is soldered for subsequent connection to the steam outlet hose.
- Check the closing surface of the lid for tightness. In the absence of such, a rubber seal is made that can withstand the boiling point.
- After that, staples are made that will allow you to fix the lid in the closed position. In the absence of such fasteners, a heavy object is used to prevent the lid from bouncing and steam escaping during boiling.
- For the manufacture of a spiral, a cylindrical template is used in the form of a plastic pipe or other object. The diameter of the device is selected in such a size that, after twisting, the spiral fits into a pre-prepared cooling tank.
- Using a hose, the boiling tank, the evaporator and the receiving tank are connected. All hose connections are clamped with clamps or wire.
The distiller is ready to go. Pour water into the main tank and cooler. All elements are placed alternately from top to bottom and proceed to water purification. Independent operation of such a unit will allow you to obtain the desired quality of liquid purification.
ATTENTION! Before cleaning tap water, it must be defended for at least eight hours! Neglect of this recommendation leads to a decrease in the degree of purification!
The manufactured distiller will purify water at home. If necessary, obtain essential oils, a more complex design is required.
The first do-it-yourself moonshine was made so long ago that no information has been preserved about its inventor. Distillation of other liquids was already known in the early Middle Ages. Then alchemists used the principle of distillation to obtain more concentrated essences and only then paid attention to the consumer properties of the alcohol-containing distillate.
General description and principles of operation
The first distillation apparatus was the alambik, a vessel made of copper with a gradually tapering neck, which passes into a tube for the removal of wine vapours. Such constructions are still used to obtain distillate from wine. But grain is best distilled in units of a more advanced design.
The operation of a home-made moonshine is based on the principle of evaporation of different liquids at different temperatures. At +75°C, ethyl alcohol and other light mash fractions evaporate. At +85°С, the evaporation of heavy fusel fractions begins. Water vapor appears at a temperature of about +100°C.
Braga is poured into a distillation cube, where it is heated to about + 90 ° C. Bringing it to a boil does not make sense, because then water vapor will enter the final product, which will reduce its strength. To reduce the content of water and fuselage, heavy fraction traps are installed between the cube and the refrigerator. High-boiling liquids in a steamer or condense faster than alcohol vapors that reach the refrigerator and turn into a liquid already in it.
To eliminate light and harmful fractions, it is necessary to separate the first portion of the liquid coming from the coil: cut off the "heads". After that, few harmful impurities remain in the heating mash, and a product suitable for consumption begins to flow from the refrigerator tube.
Device and design
Homemade distiller can consist of 2 blocks:
- distillation cube, or containers for heating alcohol-containing raw materials;
- refrigerator, or coil, where alcohol vapor condenses.
From the refrigerator, the finished moonshine enters the storage container.
There are many advanced units that are equipped with additional devices: dephlegmators, dry steamers, etc. All of them serve for additional purification of alcohol vapors from heavy fractions. The principle of operation of any design of the moonshine still remains the same as in the primitive alambika.
The simplest moonshine from a pot
Before you make a moonshine with your own hands from a saucepan, you need to purchase additional materials that will be required to remake the container:
- several clamps (4-6 pieces);
- a piece of plywood slightly larger than the diameter of the pan lid;
- rubber tube;
- fitting for a pipe with a diameter of ¾ inch and a piece of metal tube 30-40 cm long;
- a copper tube with a diameter of about 1 cm, a length of at least 2 m;
- a plastic sewer pipe with a diameter of at least 5 cm and 2 plugs for it.
For a do-it-yourself distiller made from a saucepan, you need dishes with a capacity of at least 20 liters, with a wide rim edge along the top edge.
To prevent alcohol vapor from being lost, install a thin rubber or silicone tube cut along the side of the pan. Cut out a circle from plywood, the diameter of which is equal to the size of the lid. Make a hole in the center of the circle for the fitting. Construction clamps will help to press the lid during operation of the apparatus: their lower sponge will rest on the bend of the side, and the upper one on the plywood circle.
A hole is made in the lid for the fitting, a part with a sealing gasket is screwed on. A straight metal tube is vertically attached to the fitting - the simplest dephlegmator. Its upper end is connected with a thin copper tube using an adapter. Part of this tube will then need to be coiled. The diameter of the coil is slightly smaller than the purchased plastic sewer pipe with stubs.
After assembling the distillation cube, you need to make a refrigerator:
- make a hole in the wall of the plastic pipe;
- in the first plug, make 1 hole closer to the edge, in the other - 2 holes on both sides of the center of the round part;
- put the copper tube from the distillation cube into a plug with 2 holes and roll it into a spiral, leaving a free end to bring the moonshine into the bottle;
- place the coil in a plastic pipe (the hole on it should be at the end farthest from the coil inlet);
- close the plug at the inlet, put another one at the outlet, with 1 hole into which to pass the end of the copper tube of the coil;
- connect a hose of suitable diameter to the hole in the pipe wall, and install another piece in the free hole in the plug;
- position the refrigerator obliquely, bring water from the water supply to the lower hose in the pipe wall, lower the upper pipe (in the plug) into the sink.
When applying cold water alcohol vapors will condense into the container of the refrigerator in the coil tube. Warm water is drained from the top hose into a sink or bucket.
advanced model
In the improved model, there are no differences in how to make an alembic. But instead of a saucepan, you can use ready-made containers with a lid seal: milk flasks, pressure cookers, multicookers, etc. All containers need to be slightly redone by installing a pipe or fitting in the lid to remove alcohol vapors into the tube leading to the refrigerator.
In this case, the cleaning process is improved. The simplest reflux condenser is a vertical pipe, as in the previous device: high-boiling and other impurities condense on its slightly heated walls and drain into a cube. Sometimes a twisted wire is placed inside the reflux condenser or ribs are welded on, which create an additional area for trapping heavy fractions.
Another improvement is the dryer. It serves the same purpose. There is nothing complicated in how to connect a moonshine still through a steamer, even at home:
- 2 holes are made in the lid of a simple glass jar;
- 2 tubes are tightly inserted into them, through which steam from the distillation cube will flow;
- getting into the jar, heavy fractions condense on its walls, flowing to the bottom, and saturated ethanol vapors remain volatile and, due to the pressure created in the container, go into another hole with a tube.
Sometimes home craftsmen install 2-3 dry steamers connected in series, achieving an even higher degree of purification of moonshine. A type of device is a bubbler.
The design of the latter implies the passage of vapor bubbles through the liquid. The inlet pipe is made longer, almost to the very bottom of the can. The outlet protrudes 1-1.5 cm above the inner surface of the lid. It is important not to confuse the hoses when connecting: from the distillation cube, steam enters a long tube, and it goes to the refrigerator through a short one. If connected incorrectly, a hermetically sealed glass container will be torn apart by steam pressure.
All-metal block construction apparatus
A person with skills in working with metal can assemble a moonshine from copper with his own hands, using the principle of a block system. This design implies the installation of a single compact unit on a hermetically sealed lid, in which a dephlegmator and a refrigerator are already placed, and if necessary, additional filters such as a dry steamer or bubbler can be added.
The design of this type of moonshine still does not differ in increased complexity, since its main components remain the same. When trying to self-assemble a block unit, you can use the schemes of industrial distillers (Magarych, Mercury, etc.), in which the coil and dephlegmator are in a single unit installed on the lid of the mash tank.
Distilled water has a fairly large use in everyday life, which I personally did not know about. I have only used distilled water for refilling battery. Although its use is by no means limited to this.
Distilled water is used:
- - For topping up the battery, electrolyte preparation.
- - In home cosmetology, for skin cleansing.
- - For refilling ironing irons with a steam generator, which prolongs their service life and does not leave white marks on clothes when ironing.
- - For oral administration - cleansing the body. Some people like to make tea. The issue of benefit is of course very controversial, so we will not dwell on it.
- - There are other applications, write your examples in the comments.
Distilled water can only be obtained by evaporation, no filter elements can help here. Therefore, to obtain this miracle, you need such an installation as a distiller. It consists of a heating vessel with a liquid in which evaporation occurs, and a refrigerator in which the vapor condenses into a liquid. Anyone who has ever seen an apparatus for making "moonshine" will understand me.
All this, of course, is not very difficult, but it requires preparation and manufacture of equipment.
A simple distiller with your own hands
I will show you an easy way to make a simple pot distiller in 5 minutes to make distilled water at home. No modifications to the pan are required and after use it will serve in the future for its intended purpose.What do you need to get distilled water?
Saucepan with lid. It would be great if the lid is transparent, but it doesn't matter. The main thing is that it be convex, not straight.The size of the pot depends on your need for distilled water. Next, we need a deep plate that will fit into the pan.
You will also need ice, which can be obtained with the help of a refrigerator and plain water.
The process of obtaining distilled water at home
Pour water into a saucepan. Such an amount that you can put a plate on this amount, and it would not turn over. About one third.
If you are using running water, then leave the pan open so that the excess chlorine can evaporate.
After that, put the pans on the fire.
Inside, put a deep plate on this water.
It will collect distilled water. And on top we close the lid, but not as usual, but turn it inside.
As soon as the water begins to boil in the pan, put ice on top of the lid.
What's happening?
Under the influence of temperature, the water will begin to turn into steam. The steam, in turn, will condense on the ice-cooled lid. And since the lid is convex inward, condensate droplets will flow down and drip into the floating plate.
Storage
Once you have collected a full plate of distilled water, it can be poured into a clean jar for further storage.Since the water is absolutely “empty”, it is stored for a very, very long time in a vessel with a tight lid.
But before draining the water into the vessel, I recommend rinsing it twice: once plain water With detergent, and the second time with a small amount of distilled water, which then needs to be poured out. And then fill with water for storage.
The second flush is needed in order to remove the remaining non-distilled water from the surface.
Testing
Checking the quality of distilled water is very simple. To do this, take a strap for 220 V and a power of 15-40 watts. Plug it into a 220 V network and open the circuit, connect the electrodes, which are immersed in distilled water.Pure distilled water does not conduct current, and if there are no extra impurities, the bulb will not light up. But if during the distillation process you violated the technology (didn’t wash the vessel or plate, or maybe not distilled water got in), the lamp spiral will be red, which in turn will mean the presence of salts in the water.
