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Copper is the preferred material in the construction of a still to impart flavor into the distilled spirits. When distilling in copper, the copper reacts on a molecular level with the sulfurs put out by the fermenting yeast. It “cancels-out” the sulfur taste which would otherwise be bitter and not as smooth.
Does a still need to be copper?
Without copper, the distillate will smell and taste sharp and unpleasant. However, the still doesn’t need to be made of copper. There is nothing particularly magical about the pot or column itself being made of copper. As long as copper metal is present somewhere in the still, the beneficial reactions can occur.
Why is copper used for distilling alcohol?
Think of copper as a ‘silent contributor’ to spirit quality; the availability of clean copper inside the still is vital to allow complex chemical reactions to take place, removing highly volatile sulphur compounds – chief among them dimethyl trisulphide or DMTS – and helping in the formation of esters, which tend to Jun 21, 2016.
What kind of copper is used for a still?
Always use C-110 food grade copper when building a copper still.
Do you need a copper still for moonshine?
As I mentioned above, copper is a vital component when you’re distilling spirits. However, your entire still doesn’t have to be made out of copper in order to get the sulfur-eliminating benefits. You can go with a stainless steel still and also use copper in your column packing.
Why do stills have coils?
Each coil increases the surface area of water cooled copper to create more condensation. You might have noticed the reflux column the condenser, product cooler and even the column packing all constructed from copper. The main reason is copper acts as a catalytic to reduce some unwanted compounds like sulfur.
Are copper stills safe?
It could be said that copper stills are the most ideal equipment in distilling spirits. They’re safe, effective and classic beauties, no wonder why a lot of distillers drool over copper stills.
How long will a copper still last?
Thusly prepared the pot stills last for approximately 25 years. However, the constant copper abrasion by the rummager on the inside and the aggressive liquids lead to a steady reduction in wall thickness.
How does copper affect whiskey?
During distillation in cop- per pot stills, the copper acts to reduce sulphury aromas in the resultant spirit by reducing the levels of sulphur compounds such as dimethyl trisulphide (DMTS). This work has shown that the copper is more effective in this role in some parts of the pot stills than others.
Can you make a still out of stainless steel?
In fact, a stainless pot with a copper column, or a 100% stainless still packed with copper mesh, are both excellent options for producing spirits. Remember, it is illegal to distill alcohol without the proper permits.
Why are moonshine stills made of copper?
Copper is the preferred material in the construction of a still to impart flavor into the distilled spirits. When distilling in copper, the copper reacts on a molecular level with the sulfurs put out by the fermenting yeast. It “cancels-out” the sulfur taste which would otherwise be bitter and not as smooth.
What proof is moonshine?
Moonshine usually has an ABV of 40%, but can sometimes be as high as 60%-80% ABV. Alcohol content can be converted to proof by multiplying it by two. So, 40% ABV is 80-proof. The distilling process is the key to a spirit’s alcohol content.
How much moonshine will a 5 gallon still make?
A 5 gallon run will yield 1-2 gallons of alcohol. A 8 gallon run will yield 1.5-3 gallons of alcohol. A 10 gallon run will yield 2-4 gallons of alcohol.
What’s the difference between copper and stainless steel?
Construction: Copper cookware is made with a copper exterior and either a stainless steel or tin interior. Stainless steel cookware is made with a stainless steel exterior and interior and an aluminum or copper core. Durability: Stainless steel cookware is a harder material and significantly more durable than copper.
What does a thumper do on a moonshine still?
The thump keg is one of the most clever and iconic design elements of the traditional hillbilly still whose purpose, briefly stated, is to distill the output of the pot still a second time, without actually having to run the distillate through the still twice.
How is moonshine distilled?
Making moonshine or any other distilled alcohol consists of two processes: fermentation and distillation. Distillation is the process of evaporating the alcohol from boiling a fermented mixture at about 172 degrees Fahrenheit (78 C) and collecting the steam before condensing it back into a liquid alcohol form.
How does a doubler work on a still?
In a doubler, the vapor off the column still is condensed back into liquid and this is run through the pot still. You’ll see that the beer goes into the still at Plate 15, the new-make spirit is condensed and sent to the pot still (doubler), then recondensed before entering the High Wine Tank at the end.
Can you make whiskey with a reflux still?
Most people find pot stills as versatile since it could be utilized to flavor schnapps, whiskey and rum. It also decreases a finished wash’s volume and removes yeast cells. A reflux still is effective in creating a flavorless and odorless product.
How does lead get in moonshine?
Brent Morgan of the Georgia Poison Center. Morgan and colleagues started their survey after four adults arriving at Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta had potentially fatal lead levels in their blood. Lead gets into moonshine largely because lead-lined containers, such as car radiators, are used to make or store it.
