How important is copper in a still?

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.

Do you need a copper still for moonshine?

What do I want to distill? 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 you need copper for moonshine?

Copper Distillers

The reasons that copper is often used for distilling are as follows: it is a great conductor of heat, it will remove sulfur compounds, and is an easy metal to work with.

What thickness of copper do you need to make a still?

1/4 ” copper tubing – 8 ft should do.

What does copper mesh do in a still?

Copper mesh is great for reflux distilling, plus the copper reacts with the sulfur compounds formed during fermentation. So the copper helps to eliminate these sulfur compounds from your distillate, which is important when you're distilling beverage-grade alcohol (where legal) in a moonshine still.

Ep 020 - Why do I need Copper in my Still?

Should I pack my still column?

Packing a distillation column with copper scrubbers, raschig rings, or glass distilling beads is the easiest way for a commercial distiller to increase the final proof of distilled alcohol. The packing material increases final proof by causing a slight natural reflux action in the column.

How tall should my still column be?

From a height perspective, the column should be tall enough to separate all the components so that the only fraction left at the top of the column is what you capture and condense.

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.

What type of copper is used for moonshine still?

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

How long does it take to run a 10 gallon still?

There is no general guideline as it is dependent on the individual still and how you run it. My experience is that my 15G keg with a 2" pot head takes 4-5 hours for a 10 gallon strip run.

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.

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.

Can you use brass on a moonshine still?

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

What type of still is best for whiskey?

As mentioned above, copper is the best choice for products such as Bourbon, Tennessee Whiskey, Irish Whiskey, Scotch, and traditional Rum since it reduces sulfur. As with other distilled spirits, they are almost always made in pot stills (no reflux), allowing for a wide range of flavors to come through.

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.

What type of still is used for vodka?

Column stills, on the other hand, are preferred for neutral spirits, like gin and vodka, and are also often used in bourbon, brandy, and white rum distillation.

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 ...

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 much alcohol do you throw away when distilling?

Additionally, commercial distillers have determined that simply discarding a standard amount per batch, based on batch size, is enough to keep things safe. The rule of thumb is to discard 1/3 of a pint jar for every 5 gallons of wash being distilled.

Why is my moonshine low proof?

The low proof of your distillate was also because of the low alcohol content of your wash. The alcohol content of the wash was low because you did not use a recipe that included nutrients for the yeast to live on.

What is a good moonshine still?

How do you remove sulfur from moonshine?

Add 8-10 grams of baking soda per 1 liter of moonshine, stir, and infuse for 20-30 minutes. Then stir again and leave for 10-12 hours. After this, drain the top liquid layer and remove the sediment at the bottom.

Can you make whiskey with a reflux still?

If you want whiskey from a reflux still, like was said before, don't use any reflux. And/or take some of the packing out of the column. Maybe run a little faster (more heat).