Most moonshiners prefer to precisely control the strength of the distillate during distillation. This is done using a special device called a “parrot”.
The device got its name for a distant resemblance to an exotic bird. The device consists of two combined vertical cylinders operating on the principle of communicating vessels. Through a narrow tube, moonshine enters a wide one, where a hydrometer floats in a special funnel. With its help, the distiller continuously monitors the alcohol content of the product.
The distillate after passing through the device flows freely through the outlet tube into the receiving tank.
Why do you need a “parrot”
The measurement of the fortress is required for a clear division of moonshine into fractions: “head”, “body” and “tails”. Experienced moonshiners often do it “by eye”, using folk methods, improvised means, or focusing on smell. The parrot allows you to more accurately determine the boundaries of fractions by the alcohol content in the product, which greatly simplifies the distillation process. The device is universal: it can be connected both to traditional apparatuses and to distillation columns.
During measurements, a small error is allowed – up to 3 ° C. It can be caused by deviations from the recommended ambient temperature (20 ° C) and the inability of the hydrometer to instantly respond to a changing fortress. To reduce the error, you can equip the parrot with a thermometer and adjust the readings based on temperature. The device is bought or made independently. It is quite easy to make it at home.
How to make a device “parrot”
Homemade parrots are constructed from different materials: stainless and copper pipes, glass flasks, syringes, plastic cylinders, water pipes, etc. When choosing a base, you should focus on its harmlessness when in contact with distillate. Stainless steel, copper and glass are best suited.
The general scheme looks like this:
The main rules that must not be violated during the manufacture of the device:
The intake funnel is located above the edge of the main pipe (wide cylinder), and the drain hole is below.
The width and length of the cylinder is sufficient to freely accommodate the alcoholometer so that it can freely rise and fall. In this case, the flask should not be too spacious, otherwise the response speed of the device will decrease. Optimal tube dimensions: approximately 2-3 cm higher and wider than the alcoholometer.
Before use, it is recommended to check the device for leaks by distilling water.
Syringe Parrot
The cheapest version of the device, which will have to tinker a bit. During the distillation, the upper reservoir is placed under the receiving tube, and an alcohol meter is placed in the lower one.
Materials
2 syringes 50 ml
Metal screw cap for jar
Гипс
Heat gun
IV tube (10-15 cm)
Gas burner/lighter
Instruction for manufacturing
Remove the syringes from the packaging and free from the pistons.
Connect the ends of the tanks with a hose from the dropper.
Turn the needle case into a tube by cutting off the blind end.
Make a hole in the top of one of the syringes (between the finger rests).
Heat the edges of the hole with a gas burner / lighter, insert the thin end of the case into it, slightly tilting it down, fix it firmly. Seal the joint with hot glue.
At the second syringe, cut off the finger stops.
Glue both reservoirs in such a way that their tips are at the bottom, and the syringe without stops is higher than the syringe with a tubular spout. The connection point should be at the 50 ml mark of the lower reservoir, and the common wall should be approximately 2 cm long.
Glue the hose from the dropper to the walls of the tanks.
With pistons for syringes, carefully cut off the parts with rubber bands.
Glue the pistons on both sides of the lower syringe to make legs (wide ends down).
Pour diluted gypsum into the lid for the jar, immerse the legs in it, let the mass harden.
Copper tube parrot
The dimensions of the elements are given based on the classic hydrometer ASP-3. If necessary, they are corrected. If you do not plan to connect to the apparatus, you will need a funnel to collect the distillate coming from the refrigerator and direct it to the parrot’s receiving tube.
Materials
Copper tube for the base (length – 25 cm, inner diameter – 2,2-2,5 cm)
Copper tube for spout and distillate supply (diameter – 0,7-1 cm)
Copper adapter from the 22nd pipe to the 35th.
Plug for main pipe
Manufacturing instructions are shown in the diagram:
By analogy, you can make a simple parrot from plastic tubes:
Relevance: 06.02.2019
Tags: Vodka, mash, moonshine, Moonshine stills and accessories