Self-brewing, that is, the process of self-production of alcohol or alcoholic beverages by distillation - a very hot topic not only for the Slavs, but also for many other nations of the world. Listing all the drinks, which are considered national, we will travel around the world in real time, and with immersion in history - a few movements in time.
Meanwhile, production of quality alcohol, for all its dubious usefulness, requires knowledge not only of the physical chemistry of the process of converting low-appetite wort into alcohol, but also some engineering knowledge. Modern types of moonshine machines can stun not only ordinary household moonshine makers, but also an experienced professional.
Let's try to understand the types of moonshine machines and so on, how different they are from each other. Thus we will analyze as differences in technological process, and ease of operation in different conditions.
The main types of moonshine equipment
Divide household distillers, and we are interested in them, can be of several basic types, whose device is not too different:
- Basic distiller;
- The device with a dry steamer;
- Non-flowing;
- Electric - with Ten;
- Mini devices;
- Professional, with a tsar and a distillation column;
- For whiskey and other beverages from dense wort.
Consider, what are the designs, in more detail. But first you need to remember the main processes, which occur during home brewing. The process of obtaining alcohol is based on that, that different liquids evaporate at different temperatures. Alcohol begins to emit vapors at a temperature slightly higher 70 WITH, accompanying harmful substances - from 60 WITH (easy) and above 83 WITH (heavy).
The role of various devices of the moonshine machine is, to isolate harmful impurities from alcohol as much as possible (ethyl), suitable for food use. This fragment is given for that, so that the reader understands, that varieties of moonshine machines are created not only for that, or not at all, to save on material costs, or adapt it to the possibilities of the kitchen, and to a greater extent to improve the quality of the product and increase its yield.
Basic distiller
The device is an evaporator (alembic), steam pipe, refrigerator. It's enough, to get moderately quality alcohol from any liquid wort (bragi) at the first distillation, and quite high quality - when repeated. Secondary distillation slightly reduces the yield of moonshine (to 20%), but immeasurably improves its taste and eliminates many negative effects.
The cube is made of any convenient utensils - cans of milk, pans, pressure cookers, specially welded stainless steel tank. The main thing here is the presence of an airtight lid, the volume is not lower 12 liters, no chemical interactions of the cube material with alcohol or other components of the brew, as at low, and at high (to 100 WITH) temperature.
Basic moonshine machine
If financial possibilities allow, it is best to buy a factory moonshine machine, or, at least, stainless steel tank to it. The thickness of the bottom should not be less 3 mm, walls - 2 mm As a rule, they are made of food grade stainless steel AISI 304L, AISI316, AISI 316L, AISI 316Ti, AISI 321. But such steels are intended for professional use, means utensils (especially distilling cubes) of which is quite expensive.
Containers made of AISI steels are quite suitable for domestic use 304, AISI 430, AISI 316. In most cases, Chinese and Russian devices are made of such materials.
We stayed on the distilling cubes for so long, because they are the basis for almost all devices for amateurs and professionals. According to the rating of materials for the evaporator in the first place is stainless steel, then enameled ware, aluminum and at the very end - galvanized. The last two materials, if possible, should be excluded from work for health reasons.
The second important element of the device is the steam line, after which the alcohol-containing vapors are moved to the refrigerator. In the basic device, it is a tube with a larger diameter 10 mm, made of stainless steel, copper, brass or glass. It is undesirable to use other materials. The tube bends in any way, user friendly. It must be able to be firmly and tightly connected to the cube, on the one hand, and a refrigerator on the other.
Device and principle of operation of the distillation column
The next element is a refrigerator. Flow-type coolers are mainly used, made of stainless steel, as the most convenient material. Glass is found in amateur devices, copper and even from a pipe of PVC of big diameter. The essence of the refrigerator is, that vapor of alcohol, passing through the tube, washed with cold water, condenses and drains into the container.
Flowing refrigerator
In most cases, the tube bends in the shape of a coil, but several parallel tubes are often used, tubes of variable diameter (Allina), curved in a bizarre way (Graham, Friedkrihsa). But the most proven and efficient is the coil, sealed in a sealed volume with two outlets for water inlet and outlet. Water flows in countercurrent - from bottom to top, against the direction of movement of alcohol vapors.
The location of the refrigerator can be different - vertical, horizontal, inclined. The best is vertical, then - inclined (the angle is greater 45, then - horizontal. The first two provide unobstructed condensate flow, the latter - causes stagnation of fluid in the lower part of the coil, which increases the pressure in the pipeline and requires increased attention to sealing.
Bottom line - the basic device consists of an evaporator, pipeline and refrigerator flow type. Non-flowing refrigerators are used less often, consisting of a large capacity (v 2 times the volume of the evaporator) and a coil diameter 10 – 15 cm longer 1,5 m.
The device with a dry steamer
Its device differs from the basic by the presence of an additional element - a dry steamer. You can do it yourself, and you can buy a ready-made stainless steel machine with a dry steamer. Almost all manufacturers have such models.
Moonshine machine with dry steamer
Advantages of a dry steamer - allows to receive moonshine of the same quality for one distillation, as when working on the base for two. The essence of his work is, that it separates alcohol vapors from high-boiling impurities (sivuhi) due to intermediate condensation in the additional volume, included in the steam pipeline system.
If you buy a ready-made device, it is better to choose a model with a dry steamer (one). Two or more devices, in addition to increasing the distillation time, will bring no more benefit.
Electric - with Ten
Moonshine machine with Ten
From the basic or with a dry steamer its device differs only in the evaporator - one or two electric heaters are built in it.. The heaters are very reliable and safe to operate. But you should choose a device with two heaters and a thermostat - it is easier to control the temperature of the distillation process.
Professional, with a tsar and a distillation column
Sophisticated and expensive devices, usually, belong to the elite class. If you are offered a device with a tsar, or even a cap column at a price slightly more expensive than the base, then don't buy, there may be difficulties with operation.
The main part of such a device - the king. This is a vertical pipe of large diameter (40 – 50 mm), which is the initial part of the steam pipeline. Its height must be at least 40 – 45 div. otherwise some of the functions will not be performed. If the height of the tsar is less 30 cm, then it is desirable to equip the device with a dry steamer.
They have the same functions - reflux. Only in the presence of phlegm phlegm (sivuha) flows back into the tank, and in the dry steamer settles to the bottom. To increase the efficiency of the tsar, it can be filled with various nozzles (Panchenkova, Selivanenko and others). In essence - it's cut pieces of spirally wound stainless steel or copper wire, designed to increase the condensation surface. These are very effective devices, but you need to watch, that they be made of stainless steel or copper. Cut into pieces of wire from the kitchen sponge for washing dishes is inappropriate.
Apparatus with a distillation column
Distillation columns are complex devices, who need solid knowledge in the field of distillation and patience in work. If you are offered a device with a column, then keep in mind - its effective operation is theoretically possible at a height of more 1,5 m.
For whiskey and other beverages from dense wort
Types of devices for this purpose differ in the presence of a steam generator and a cube of at least volume 25 l (optimal - 30 – 40).
A thermometer is a necessary attribute for all types of devices, or even two. Without temperature control, even on the most complex device, it is impossible to get alcohol with all diligence.