Not so long ago, I told you that my wife allowed me to make moonshine during self-isolation and about my neighbor in the garage, who unexpectedly became my student in the production of homemade alcohol.
For so many years they greeted him at a meeting, asked each other for keys, but never once did they communicate normally. But he turned out to be a great guy! Today I told him about additional equipment for the moonshine still, with which I have become so lazy that without them I see no reason to drive something now.
Well, I can’t leave you without such important information, my dear subscribers. So let’s go!
What accessories are used for moonshine
To improve the quality of the produced moonshine, you can retrofit the simplest moonshine still with additional devices.
Thanks to their use, the distillation time is reduced, it becomes more convenient to carry out the process, and in some cases, accessories can be used to improve the taste and aromatic properties of the product.
In addition to the still and cooler (condenser), I use three more devices to successfully distill the wort:
- sukhoparnik;
- “a parrot”;
- Column.
Sometimes they have to be used at the same time, and it happens that only one or two of them are required. Let’s take a closer look at each of the accessories.
Sukhoparnik
A sukhoparnik (reflux condenser) is an ordinary metal or glass vessel, in the top cover of which two tubes are welded or soldered. Through one of them, vapors of distillate coming from the distillation cube enter. In another, they come out already cleansed to some extent.
The task of the steamer is to clean the distillate from fusel oils. This happens naturally. Fusel oils, being heavier than alcohol and having a much higher boiling point, simply condense in a steamer, and the alcohol vapor continues to move on.
In order for harmful impurities to condense in the device, it is enough that it is cooled by ambient air.
Complete with a moonshine still, I had a steamer, but it was not suitable for high-quality distillation. Its capacity was a little over 300 ml, it filled up very quickly and that was the end of all his work.
Then the distillate went unrefined. To empty the device, one would have to stop the process and disassemble the system. And then, of course, to do everything all over again – heating, selection of “heads”.
In one of the online stores, I found a design suitable for myself – a 500 ml steamer with a half-inch thread at the bottom (cost – 1200 rubles). By installing a tap on the thread, you can subsequently empty the device through it. It has become much more convenient.
Subsequently, I bought another dry steamer and installed both in series one after the other. This made it possible to carry out purification in two stages, obtaining a product with a strength of 88% vol.
Sukhoparnik in the form of a stainless steel lid for a glass jar can be bought for 800-900 rubles.
A parrot
This is the name of a vessel made of stainless steel or glass, similar in appearance to this bird. Its role for the quality of distillation is negligible, but for convenience it is indispensable.
The fact is that when using the “parrot” it is not necessary to periodically take a sample of the product and measure its strength, so as not to miss the moment when the moonshine becomes weak.
The design of the device is such that the fresh product comes from the cooler through a tube into the lower part of the vessel, and pours out through a tube soldered on top. Inside the “parrot” an alcohol meter floats freely, allowing you to receive information about the strength of the distillate, as they say, “in real time”.
It is enough to look at the device and it is immediately clear whether to finish the distillation or you can still “strain” something.
The cost greatly depends on the material from which the parrot is made.
Column
The column is a conventional stainless steel cylinder. A tube is soldered into the bottom through which the processed product is poured. And it comes from above through a pipe soldered into the lid.
I use a column in two cases:
- When it is necessary to purify the distillate, I pour BAU-M activated carbon into the device, which I purchase in specialized stores for moonshiners.
- Sometimes, if a second distillation is carried out, I put some flavors inside – herbs, pieces of zest, dried fruits. From this, the drink acquires a peculiar aroma.
Special “legs” allow you to securely install the column on a three-liter jar. But the design of the device can be any, especially if it was made for a specific user.
Such a device costs in different online stores from 1000 to 2000 rubles.
Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health. Take care of yourself!
I gradually bought all the accessories in stores, improving my apparatus. Currently, I believe that I have everything I need to get high-quality moonshine. I think it’s not worth complicating the design with something else. Or try? Are there any experienced moonshiners among you?