Moonshine steam generator. DIY steam generator: how to avoid mistakes when self-assembly

Making a steam generator for a moonshine still with your own hands

If you already have experience in making spirits at home, then sooner or later, you will no longer be satisfied with ordinary sugar-yeast moonshine. And it will be useful for a beginner to find out that at home you can get more refined drinks than banal moonshine.

To make calvados, whiskey, raku, a conventional distiller is not enough. It is necessary to add a device such as a steam generator to its design. You can buy a steam generator in a store, however, it is easy to make it yourself, and it will cost about half the price.

The advantages of a steam generator and why is it needed?

The fact is that it will not work to produce exquisite drinks from liquid mash. For drinks more complicated than regular moonshine, you will need to make a mash or wort based on wheat grains, oats, apples, plums, and the like. Such raw materials tend to stick to the walls of the still and burn during heating. If this happens, you can safely stop the distillation, throw away the raw materials and thoroughly wash the cube. Burnt mash will give the product an unpleasant aftertaste that cannot be interrupted by any additional aromatization and cleaning, and if it can be consumed with difficulty, you will not get any pleasure.

The distillation still must be sealed during distillation. Therefore, naturally, you cannot stir the mash. It is in order that the solid parts of the raw material do not stick to the walls and do not burn, a steam generator is needed. A moonshine still with a steam generator works a little differently than a conventional distiller. The steam generator heats water to a boil, from where it enters distillation cube and heats the mash. When the wash reaches a temperature of 75-80 degrees Celsius, alcohol-containing steam begins to evolve from it. The further process is identical to the usual distillation. Thus, it is not the walls of the distillation vessel that heats up, but the mash itself, which is in it. This eliminates the possibility of raw materials sticking to the walls and burning.

How to make a steam generator for a moonshine still?

The easiest way to make a steam generator for a moonshine still is from a regular pressure cooker. Galvanized or enamel pan, but then it will be necessary to additionally make a reliable way of attaching the lid to the pan and a gasket to ensure tightness. The pressure cooker compares favorably with the fact that it has its own heater and is initially sealed.

The design of the pressure cooker will need to be supplemented with a safety valve to relieve excess pressure, a steam outlet and a tube to control the water level. It is advisable to install a thermometer on the lid as well. Of course, water boils at a certain temperature - 100 degrees, but it will be convenient to know how much is still left before the start of steam evolution.

The safety valve is a very important part of the design. On the way of the outgoing steam there will be a wash and a coil, and they create serious hydrodynamic resistance. Therefore, the pressure inside the steam generator can rise very quickly, even rapidly, and if it is not released in time, the consequences can be very sad - the lid of the device is torn off, the connecting pipes are torn out, or even the steam generator itself explodes. Even if the simplest of the above happens - snatching the pipes, you can be severely scalded by centigrade steam. In other cases, injuries can be even more serious.

The valve is installed in the cover of the steam generator. You can buy it at almost any hardware store. Do not forget to seal it with FUM tape or silicone gaskets.

The steam connection is also available at hardware stores. The main thing to look for when buying is a threaded connection for connecting a steam pipe. It can be installed on the lid or on the wall of the container, the main condition is that it must be above the water level even at the very beginning of the distillation.

A metal corrugated hose, which is used to connect the gas, will best serve as a steam outlet pipe. You can take a copper or stainless steel tube, but it will still be more convenient with a flexible steam outlet. It must be screwed on the steam generator fitting, sealed with FUM tape.

The distillation cube will also need to be modernized. A hole is drilled in the bottom of the cube, into which the same fitting is installed. A steam outlet will be connected to this fitting on the outside. From the inside, a perforated spirally twisted tube is connected to it, through which steam will escape. It will need to be twisted two or three turns in a spiral, in one plane, and not like a coil. The same gas hose or a metal tube made of copper or stainless steel is suitable as this tube. Holes of 1-2 millimeters are made in the upper part of the tube with a distance of 1-2 centimeters between them. The escaping steam should cover the largest volume of raw materials. This part is also called a bubbler - not to be confused with a device for cleaning alcohol vapors, although the process of operation of both devices is similar, they perform completely different functions.

How to work with a steam generator?

After the entire structure of the moonshine is assembled, a steam generator, a steam boiler, a refrigerator are connected, working fluids are poured into the corresponding containers. Water is poured into the steam generator so that it does not reach the outlet of the steam outlet. First, the steam generator must be turned on at maximum power, and after reaching the temperature of 80-90 degrees, lower it below average. This is necessary for uniform heating of the raw material and prevents the formation of excess pressure, from which the safety valve can be triggered.

After the end of distillation, the steam generator turns off, but before doing any manipulations with it, wait for 20-30 minutes to cool. Remember the main thing - you constantly need to control the water level, otherwise an empty apparatus will simply burn out.

We have sorted out all the subtleties of how to make a steam generator for a moonshine still. As you can see, this task is not difficult and does not require any special skills and abilities. If you assembled your own alcohol mashine, then you will certainly cope with the steam generator. A DIY steam generator has a number of advantages. Firstly, reliability, for himself, then certainly every moonshiner will try to do it as efficiently as possible. Secondly, the cost - a homemade steam generator is much cheaper than a purchased one.

Such a device will allow you to get various drinks from thick mash without the risk of getting a spoiled product and rejected raw materials due to sticking to the walls of the distillation cube.

What is needed for manufacturing?

1. First of all, a steam generator needs a container with a capacity of 5 liters (for a distillation cube up to 20 liters). This could be:

• or a steamer that needs minimal rework. It is almost perfect option because the cover is sealed and already has a safety valve;
• that will have to be reworked more thoroughly;
• ... She will also have to work hard;
• ... A capacity that is only suitable if there are no other options. Here, in addition to installing the valves, you will have to come up with another reliable option for sealing the lid with the pan.

2. Bubbler. This can be a plumbing bellows from a store or made with your own hands from a tube with a section of 15-22 mm and a length of 20-40 cm. Cuts are made in the tube through every centimeter or holes are drilled.

This is necessary so that steam can escape from these slots and evenly heat the mash along the entire perimeter of the tank. The tube is twisted in a half-ring, placing the open end approximately in the middle of the cube at a height of 4-5 cm from the bottom.

The pressure cooker has two valves, one of which must be left intact to prevent an emergency. Disassemble the second, expand the hole for 15-22 mm (depending on the thickness of the bubbler) and install a fitting with a check valve.

Grain and fruit mash contain solid particles that burn. This affects the taste of the drink. Equipment with a steam generator for a moonshine still avoids burning.

Distillers use PG to produce a quality distillate. Braga is heated in a distillation cube with steam, which enters through a bubbler. The steam not only warms the mash, but also mixes it.

The boiling point of the wort is lower than in the steam generator. It is not difficult to assemble a steam generator for mash with your own hands, despite the additional costs. The evaporator is a necessary thing in home brewing.

Steam distillation benefits:

1. Braga does not burn.
2. The wort grains are boiled.
3. Distillation time is shortened.
4. The wash warms up evenly.
5. The result is high-quality alcohol.

Distillers make a do-it-yourself steam generator for home brewing, so that the product does not boil. If the mash burns, it will spoil the taste of the drink. The thickets also contain a large amount of alcohol, which is distilled using an evaporator.

Alcohol from grain raw materials is obtained different ways but steam distillation gives a good result.

Principle of operation

The thick mash is heated with steam. It happens in the following way. The evaporator is supplied with water, which begins to boil. The resulting steam enters the cube through an insulated hose.

Any stainless steel container that is equipped with a flange, steam line and bubbler can be used for the evaporator.

The tank must have a sealed and removable cover. And also mount the nozzle for the removal of steam. The design is equipped with a thermometer and an additional branch pipe with a nut. Moonshine still with evaporator includes:

• steam generator;
• pipeline;
• distillation cube;
• dry greenhouse;
• fridge;
• heat source.

Thermometers are installed on the evaporator and cube. The distillation process of thick mash is as follows:

1. The evaporator is filled with water to 2/3 of its volume and put on fire.
2. Braga is poured into a distillation cube. The non-return valve is used to shut off the steam. The distillation cube is heated on.
3. To reduce losses, the tank is additionally insulated. The temperature of the mash is increased gradually. If in the steam generator - 80 ⁰С, in the distillation cube - 50. In an hour, the temperature in the steam generator rises to 100 ⁰С, in the tank - to about 59-60.
4. The moonshine steam generator starts.
5. Then turn off the induction cooker, on which the cube is located. Further heating occurs due to steam.
6. The temperature in the distillation tank rises after 1.5 hours. The vapors enter the refrigerator and enter the alcohol receiver. The selection of "heads" begins.

How to make a steam generator at home?

Moonshine equipment can be made at home. Installing and testing new devices on your own is an unsafe exercise. You need to buy quality components. You will need a turner and a milling machine. If the distiller is a specialist in this area, then the PG will make.

How to make a steam generator for a moonshine still? For equipment, containers with a volume of 20 are used; 40; 50 liters or more.

Metal containers used by distillers:

1. Milk can.
2. Beer keg.
3. Welded stainless steel tanks.

Steam line materials:

• corrugated gas hose;
• tube (copper or stainless);
• reinforced hose for hydraulic machines.

Payment

For a mash for 20 kg of grain, take a metal container for 120-150 liters. To distill 100 liters of home brew, they use NGL. The volume of the evaporator is 80–85 liters. When self-assembly, different steam connections are used - above and below.

Distillers occasionally face the problem of clogging the bubbler, so they argue about the connection. More often they mount the tube at the bottom. The disadvantages of this scheme are only in the clogging of the bubbler, if it happens. In this case, the non-return valve will protect the steam line from thicknesses.

Security

Holes are made in a stainless steel sheet and a flange is screwed on. For safety, the steam generator is equipped with:

• pressure gauge;
• check valve;
• safety valve 1.5 at.

A safety valve is installed at the outlet. It provides safety when the steam pressure is exceeded.

A bubbler with holes is positioned perpendicular to the bottom. The tube is twisted into the tap, which is located at the bottom of the distillation cube.

How to convert a 50 liter cube?

Distillers assemble a steam generator for the distillation of thick mash with their own hands. (30 and 50 l) suitable for steam generator and cube. Redesigning the keg for 50 liters:

1. First, a hole is cut. To do this, mark the middle and draw a circle.
2. Patterns are applied and a circle is cut out with a grinder. The outer diameter is 21 cm and the inner diameter is 16 cm.
3. The curved bottom is also cut off with a grinder. A 3 mm thick stainless steel is cleaned and welded.
4. A thermometer is mounted on a cube, which can be bought on Aliexpress. A stainless steel thermometer costs 590 rubles.
5. Get nuts with gaskets and weld the top of the cube. Only then is the middle cut out.

A 2.5 kW heating element Ariston is cut into a beer keg. The evaporator heats up and steam enters the tank through a pipe. For this, a metal gas hose is used. The check valve does not let steam into the cube, which has returned again.

There is a lot of information on the forums where distillers share their experiences. For example, there is a steam generator for a moonshine still with your own hands (the diagram is attached). Vinokur has assembled a structure, which includes:

• keg for 30 liters;
• steam generator (12 l);
• gas supply (corrugation);
• The bubbler (copper) has dimensions: 26 mm (d) and 25 holes of 6 mm (d).

Braga was heated on an induction cooker. The evaporator, steam line and cube were insulated.

To make a steam generator for a moonshine still take into account:

1. Tank location. The evaporator must be above the cube.
2. The steam line always connects the steam generator and the tank with an arc.
3. Calculate the volume of SG and cube.

If a heating element is inserted, use the formula: 1 kW = 1.6 l / h. If a heating element of 1000 watts is mounted, then 1.6 liters of water will evaporate in an hour, 3000 watts - 3.2 liters.

Distillers are more likely to collect and buy ready-made equipment. Manufacturers think over all the points. Factory GHGs are safe and have a guaranteed shelf life.

How to choose a ready-made equipment?

A pressure cooker tank can be converted to LPG. You can assemble a continuous steam generator for a moonshine still with your own hands if you buy a special module. There is a set of HD NPG / KIT, which costs 8,900 rubles. The design is used for any cube of 8; ten; 11 liters.

The container that will be used in this design does not need to be redone. Connect the water supply and the unit with steam generator. The water starts to heat up as soon as the module is turned on. After a few minutes, the cube heats up and steam generation begins.

Water is supplied in small portions, since there is a restrictive throttle.

Distillers build a steam generator from a stainless steel tank. For home brewing, you can purchase evaporation cubes with a volume of: 10; 12; 17; 21; 25; 36 liters and others.

A 12-liter cube made of stainless steel costs 5395 rubles. The tank is completed with a reinforced clamp with a lock and a sealing gasket. The bubbler is installed through an adapter.

To use a 12 liter cube as an evaporator, you need to buy a cover for the D250 apparatus for 1985 rubles. It has a diameter of 275 mm. The cover has an emergency valve and a thermometer connection. It is made of 3 mm thick metal.

This design will require:

• steam line;
• bubbler;
• couplings;
• connections;
• sealing gaskets;
• stubs.

The steam line that connects the cube and the evaporator costs 685 rubles. The hose is made of stainless corrugation. The outside of the wire is insulated to reduce losses.

The bubbler price is 1945 p. There are slots along the entire length of the tube. The bubbler thread diameter is 1¼ inch.

There are many equipment for home brewing. The choice largely depends on the conditions in which the distiller makes the alcohol.

There are kits for steam distillation that cost 70,000–80,000 rubles. Such equipment is used in any conditions. The price of the HD / 3-RP-1503 set is 77 095 rubles. The set includes:

• cube (2 pcs.);
• lid;
• reflux condenser;
• tsars;
• bubbler;
• steam line;
• automation;
• manometer and other devices.

The consumer buys factory GHGs, but high-quality installations are expensive. Therefore, many distillers create and assemble equipment for grain brews on their own.

Often, when distilling thick mash, the thick burns, badly affecting the aroma and taste of the drink. Steam distillation of the mash allows to prevent deterioration of the quality of the distillate. Making a steam generator at home is relatively simple - you need another container (pressure cooker, alembic, can), connecting hoses and a gas supply pipe.

Scope of application of the steam generator

Any mash can be steam distilled, however, due to the additional cost of time and energy, this method is advisable to use for the first distillation of thick mash - usually all cereals and some fruit mash from overripe raw materials with a high pectin content, for example, apple or apricot. Steam distillation is also used for chacha and other moonshine from cake.

To speed up the process, some moonshiners drain the liquid part of the mash separately and distill it the traditional way, and the steam generator is used only for the grounds.

Steam distillation benefits:

• won back the wash is not drained from the sediment and is not clarified;
• you can get alcohol in the thick, which is usually filtered out and disappears;
• allows you to avoid burning and deterioration in the quality of moonshine;
• during distillation, less harmful impurities are "welded";
• does not affect the organoleptic properties of the drink, is the most gentle method of heating the mash;
• suitable for moonshine stills of any design.

Disadvantages:

• another container is required, which will be a steam generator;
• the distillation time increases (more than 3 hours from the moment the mash boils);
• since alcohol vapors are diluted with condensate, the strength of the outlet decreases, for example, if the maximum strength in the stream is 68% when heating the heating element, then during distillation with steam it will be 50% (the calculations are approximate and depend on the design of the distiller);
• the high pressure in the steam generator increases the risk of using the appliance.

The principle of distillation of mash with steam

In the classic scheme of a moonshine still, a steam generator is a container filled with water, which is installed on a stove (another heating source) and connected through connecting pipes and a bubbler to the bottom of the distillation cube with a wash (not heated separately). In turn, the distillation cube is connected to the refrigerator of the moonshine still.

After the water boils, the generated steam under pressure through the bubbler enters the cube and heats the mash. Bubbles of steam move from bottom to top, cause boiling inside the mash and separation of substances into fractions. As a result, alcohol begins to evaporate, which moves to the surface of the wash. On the surface, bubbles of steam and alcohol burst and mix, forming a vaporous water-alcohol mixture, which rises into the refrigerator (distiller), where it condenses.

Optimal layout with valves and three-way valve

The design of the moonshine still and the distillation scheme remain the same, only one more container with water is added.

How to make a steam generator for mash

As a container for heating water, you can use a pressure cooker or a distillation cube. The main requirement is that the container must be airtight and withstand high pressure so that steam passes through the steam line, and does not seep through the lid. The capacity (volume) of a steam generator is usually 30% less than a cube with a wash. Once the lid has been sealed, a saucepan or can will also work.

Attention! Since we are dealing with thick wash, for safety reasons, there must be blasting valves on the cover of the steam generator and the main distillation cube, which will release excess pressure if the connecting pipes become clogged with thick, and this happens.

A fitting is also cut into the cover of the steam generator to connect to the steam line.

For the steam line use silicone hose or a corrugated gas pipe. In order to reduce heat losses and increase the distillation rate, it is advisable to install thermal insulation on the surface of the steam line that can withstand a temperature of +100 ° C.

For a steam generator bubbler, a metal tube is suitable, on one side of which slits are made. The length of the tube should be slightly less than the diameter of the bottom of the distillation cube with the wash. The bubbler is installed into the cube through the drain valve for the stillage with the slots down, so that the steam first reflects from the bottom, and only then begins to heat the mash. If there is no drain valve, you will have to make a hole near the bottom.

Bubbler
Installing a bubbler in a distillation cube with home brew. Slots should be at the bottom

As a result, a diagram should be obtained: a steam generator - a distillation cube - a dry pot (optional) - a refrigerator (distiller) - a receiving container for moonshine.

It is recommended to fill the cube with mash by 50-60%, since in the process of distillation the volume of liquid in the cube will increase by 20-30% due to steam, and for the normal formation of alcohol vapors, an additional 10-15% of the free volume is required.

Homemade version with a can as a steam generator

The optimal amount of water in the steam generator in relation to the mash is 8:10 (8 liters of water per 10 liters of mash). The minimum amount of water is 6:10. The steam generator is filled to 70-85% of its volume.

The heating power supplied to the steam generator should be as high as possible.

In the event of a blockage in the steam line, turn off the heating and wait for complete cooling before disassembling the apparatus; the overpressure must be relieved of the valves. It is dangerous to open a hot steam generator!

Everyone who is engaged in brewing moonshine at home knows that a home-made steam generator for a moonshine still is a necessary element of the installation. It allows you not to filter the mash for home brewing.

1

Many years ago, housewives from all over the world began to independently prepare various types of moonshine. Moreover, the variety of this drink differs significantly depending on the region where it is prepared. For example, in the west, infusions made on the basis of nuts and various grains are preferred. But in the east, on the contrary, they use exclusively plant substances. Well, the Slavs have long used yeast to make mash.

Therefore, the devices with which you can make these drinks are also significantly different. For example, the familiar moonshine stills that we remember from our childhood have gained popularity in almost every country in the post-Soviet space. But there are still some lovers of this intoxicating drink who do not know how to make a moonshine still with a steam generator with their own hands. In fact, the process is quite simple and does not require much effort. It is enough to know the correct scheme and skillfully implement it in practice.

Making an apparatus for brewing moonshine

Of course, almost everyone who decides to independently make an apparatus for brewing moonshine is interested in the same question: is this device safe? Of course, it will not be possible to hear a definite answer. If you do everything according to the instructions and taking into account the requirements set forth in the document, then yes, it is safe. Well, if you neglect the advice of a specialist, then as a result, such a device can bring a lot of troubles.

To begin with, everyone knows that distilling mash, which is prepared on the basis of grain, can be done using high temperature steam. In addition, in this way it will be possible to prevent the liquid from burning, so as not to spoil the resulting product in the end. A steam generator for this purpose can be purchased at any specialized store. But you can do it with your own hands. As a result, the resulting moonshine will have an unusually clean taste and smell.

At the same time, parts for adaptation can be found in any home. Instead of a tank, you can use a home steamer, but an ordinary bellows will serve great alternative store bubbler. We must not forget about the presence of a safety valve. These items can be bought at any plumbing store or any other mall with a similar range of products.

2

You need to understand that the final design should look like this: pressure cooker-bubbler-steam boiler-coil-bank. It is thanks to this structure, during the boiling of the mash, the steam under high pressure will turn into a concentrated liquid and will come out of the coil. The main thing is to control the temperature so that the liquid does not boil too much and all the steam does not come out.

In this process, it is very important to prevent steam from escaping through the lid. Therefore, you should especially carefully attach it to the steamer. For this, special fittings and footers are used, which are screwed into the steamer itself. Well, and, above all, you need to let the moonshine boil for the correct period of time. In this process, it is very important to equally qualitatively follow the safety rules and instructions for home brewing. Then the final result will surprise you with the extraordinary strength of the drink and its taste.

Steam generator from a steamer

It must be remembered that there are several types of construction with which moonshine is brewed. For example, if you use an apparatus with a steam generator, then the need to filter the wash is eliminated. Which makes the brewing process much easier and faster.

Many lovers of moonshine are interested in the exact scheme of how to make a steam generator with their own hands. Below are instructions on how to make such a device at home.

3

First you need to take a metal bellows with a flexible coupling. Then you need to take an electric steamer, if there is none, then you need to build the heated heating element into the water tank.

But if you don't have a siphon, you don't need to be upset. You can take an ordinary metal tube and use a hacksaw to make small cuts in it, the distance between which should be 1 cm. You can also make these holes with a drill. It must be remembered that the length of such a pipe should be 20-40 cm. It is through this device that steam will enter the mash.

Making a steam generator with your own hands

After the bubbler is ready, it must be sealed into the container where the wash is located. For these purposes, we use a tube with a diameter of 15-22 mm.

The process of making moonshine itself is quite simple. Braga, brought to a boiling point of 100 ° C, will begin to heat up. Accordingly, steam is generated, which through the tube enters the bubbler. As a result, it is in this container that ready-made moonshine... If, for example, you do not have a steamer at home, then you can use a regular beer keg or any other sealed container.

And, of course, in the end it is necessary to say about the usefulness of such a product. Moonshine, if consumed in small quantities, may have medicinal properties... Namely:

1. For colds.
2. With inflammatory processes.
3. With hypothermia.
4. Used as a disinfectant and more.

Cook at home yourself alcoholic beverage very useful, especially if you correctly follow the technology of moonshine and the manufacture of a moonshine still.

Moreover, as they say, everything that is made with your own hands is much tastier and healthier than what you bought. And it is unambiguous that moonshine in this case is not an exception to the rule, but rather, on the contrary, fully confirms it.

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