Do you have to use copper for a moonshine still?

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.

Is copper necessary for distilling?

There is a good reason to use copper for distilling. Copper catalyzes (allows to occur) certain reactions that remove undesirable notes/flavors in the distillate and make it 'smoother'. Without copper, the distillate will smell and taste sharp and unpleasant. However, the still doesn't need to be made of copper.

Can you use stainless for a still?

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.

Will aluminum work for a still?

Aluminum does not distill, so none of it will end up in your distillate. Its not an ideal material, you can't solder to it well, etc.

What type of copper is used for moonshine still?

2" copper pipe, type M, for Moonshine Still Reflux or Pot Column.

Copper Moonshine Style Stills | Understanding Pot Stills, Column Stills

What kind of copper is used for stills?

You will need the following Materials and Tools: Half Sheet of Copper – 3 ft by 4 ft ( use 18 gauge copper) Amazon has some reasonable priced copper sheets. Roll of Solder – Try to get hold of a roll of 95/5 tin/silver is the best and stay away from anything with cadmium/antimony or lead in it.

What metals can you make a still out of?

Copper is the preferred material in the construction of a still to impart flavor into the distilled spirits. According to Broadslab Distillery, both stainless steel and copper are excellent conductors of heat: dispersing the heat evenly across the entire surface of the metal and creating a more even distillation.

What is the best material of construction for alcohol stills?

Although there are a variety of other metals used to make stills, copper and stainless steel are the two most common options. Copper is an easy metal to work with if you'll be constructing the still yourself. Also, it is an excellent conductor of heat and removes sulfides during processing.

Can you use brass fittings on a moonshine still?

Most brass fittings are not even safe for water use, which makes them even less safe for distilling use.

Is stainless steel better than copper?

Stainless steel will shine and remain a consistent color for many years maintaing its appearance over the lifetime of the product. Stainless steel is often called “indestructible.” It's slightly more durable than copper, which is beneficial in harsh environments.

Can you store moonshine in stainless steel?

Use Proper Distillation Equipment

Stills made from old radiators, sheetmetal, plastic barrels and other such materials are questionable at best and extremely dangerous at worst. Always insist on using stills that are made from pure copper or 304 stainless steel.

Why is copper used in alcohol?

Copper is an excellent conductor of heat, which makes it the perfect material for distilling alcohols including whiskey and gin. Being such a good conductor means that the whole surface of the metal can heat up evenly.

How long does a copper still last?

These unwanted and flavor-changing sulfur compounds are chemically removed from the final product resulting in a smoother, better-tasting drink. All copper stills will require repairs about every eight years due to the precipitation of copper-sulfur compounds.

What do I need to make moonshine?

What is the easiest still to use?

Stainless Steel Stills

Stainless steel moonshine stills are a great option for beginners. The most obvious reason being that they are much more affordable than their copper counterparts. In addition, these types of stills are also easy to clean.

Why is the column packed with copper rather than a less expensive metal such as stainless steel?

Question: Why is the column packed with copper rather than a less expensive metal such as stainless steel? Because copper naturally removes sulfates while stainless steel does not.

Can you use sheet metal for a moonshine still?

Avoid stills assembled with sheet metal, plastic barrels, old radiators and other such questionable materials. Moonshine stills are only made from one of two materials: copper or stainless steel. Stills assembled with lead solder or other contaminated metal can cause lead poisoning. - Avoid Using Open Flames Indoors.

Why are Whisky stills made of copper?

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 ...

How much will a 10 gallon still produce?

A 8 gallon run will yield 1.5-3 gallons of alcohol. A 10 gallon run will yield 2-4 gallons of alcohol.

How do you seal a copper still?

Why is moonshine illegal?

So why is moonshine still illegal? Because the liquor is worth more to the government than beer or wine. Uncle Sam takes an excise tax of $2.14 for each 750-milliliter bottle of 80-proof spirits, compared with 21 cents for a bottle of wine (of 14 percent alcohol or less) and 5 cents for a can of beer.