Types of moonshine stills

The quality, taste and aroma of the finished alcoholic beverage depends on the equipment used and compliance with the technology. The moonshine still (distiller, rectifier, beer column) gives a lot of room for experimentation and new recipes, allowing each time to get a new distillate with a bright aroma and rich mild taste.

Types of devices and their characteristics

There are a large number of devices for preparing alcoholic beverages on the market today, which differ in both manufacturing technology and purpose.

The principle of operation of any device is similar. It consists in separating the media of moonshine raw materials due to the difference in their boiling point.

Classic distiller

A traditional moonshine device, the design of which includes a distillation cube and a refrigerator. The principle of operation of the device is simple:

Braga is heated to a boil;

When heated, the raw material begins to evaporate;

Alcohol vapors penetrate the coil and condense as a distillate.

The advantages of this equipment include affordable cost, compact size and reliability of operation. The finished distillate retains the taste and aroma of natural raw materials. Among the shortcomings is the insufficient degree of purification.

Distiller with dryer

The design of the equipment includes a dry steamer located between the storage side and the coil. With its help, the process of air reflux is realized. When the mash is heated, harmful impurities condense into a steamer, purifying the distillate. The finished distillate acquires a pleasant taste and aroma.

The advantages of the equipment include:

Affordable cost;

Compact dimensions;

Low cleaning;

Protection against hit of splashes of mash in moonshine;

The possibility of flavoring moonshine when adding dried fruits, orange peel, fragrant herbs, berries and fruits to the container.

Among the shortcomings, it is worth highlighting the low purification of moonshine and certain losses of alcohol at the exit.

beer column

It is a device with a forced reflux mechanism. The main feature of the equipment is based on the location of the reflux condenser in the upper part. It cools the alcohol vapors before they enter the coil, which leads to the formation of reflux. It returns to the distillation cube and comes into contact with heated alcohol vapors.

This process leads to the strengthening of moonshine, its complete purification from harmful impurities and fusel oils, but with the preservation of the natural aroma of raw materials.

The advantages of mash columns include:

Strengthening moonshine up to 93%;

Good organoleptic characteristics - a combination of taste, aroma and color;

Can be used as a classic distiller without a reflux condenser.

Among the disadvantages is the inability to obtain the entire volume of high-quality moonshine, as well as large sizes.

Distillation column

To obtain high-quality refined moonshine with a strength of up to 96 degrees and the absence of a natural smell, it is worth buying a rectifier.

The distillation column is a high cylinder, inside which heat exchangers are placed. The equipment guarantees the separation of moonshine raw materials into pure alcohol and impurities using the continuous distillation method.

The pluses include:

The strength of the finished drink;

Good degree of cleaning.

Among the disadvantages are large size, complex maintenance and operation.

It is necessary to select equipment taking into account the conditions of its operation and the purpose (what kind of alcoholic beverages will you prepare).