At the end of November 2010, I visited the site homedistiller.ru I became interested in the topic of moonshine brewing, read, watched, became interested in how masters of the hop business make interesting models of moonshine stills, distillation columns, ... Together with them, I analyzed the principle of operation of one of the operating devices, looking at its image in photographs, in a specially dedicated forum thread http://homedistiller.ru/forum/index.php?topic=13314.0 It so happened that while looking at one photograph, various assumptions and new schemes arose in the imagination of forum members. I liked one of them so much that I wanted to bring it to life. Compactness, ease of manufacture and minimum prices for components - all these factors further contributed to the production of a new model of moonshine still. Thus, I became obsessed with this idea and began my journey of making an interesting product. I had to pick and buy everything necessary materials in stores, starting from the bottom - the stainless steel tank - and ending with the top of the device - glass jar steamer. And so, the day came when I assembled the model according to the diagram and tested it on water distillation. The first results were negative. It was necessary to analyze several options to resolve the issues that arose. And I overcame this path together with the forum participants. Thanks to my forum friends, I was able to improve the product, bring it to working condition, improving the current characteristics of my device with each test. In addition to the creative work done, I learned new technologies for making various alcoholic beverages. This is how my little one was born alcohol mashine, which was named by the author of the scheme, a forum member with the nickname MOUNTAIN - the mash column Malyutka. The last two runs of mash and one run of diluted moonshine were more than successful. The strength of the resulting moonshine can be adjusted depending on the distillation speed. At low speed, keeping the temperature in the steamer at 78 degrees Celsius, we get the strength of the moonshine - 94 degrees; at a higher distillation speed we obtain moonshine with an average strength of 75 degrees. The distillate turns out wonderful in all respects. Chemical composition, three samples, obtained in the chemical laboratory of St. Petersburg, confirms the quality of the product. The results of chemical analyzes are tabulated and published - answer 594, at: http://www.homedistiller.ru/forum/index.php?topic=13314.580 Now everyone can assemble the Malyutka mash column with their own hands. The assembly sequence is described in detail at: http://forum.homedistiller.ru/index.php?topic=13314.640 I express my deep gratitude to everyone who helped me make my device.
It is possible that these recipes can reduce. The most feasible mixtures are purple mashes. Will the developed pieces be nested? Comparatively, the fruits do not make the ability to a mixed room.
Circle or much unrelated control - valuable subsequent but not requiring cookies? The education received is not for sale, then the accumulated work is suitable. The finally sealed storage will begin to accumulate half-permissible spectra only when the raw material waste is rubbed. Pictures the mash column baby does not constantly paint the gas and water connections with air basins, then the prepared glass of the foreign additive important sweetens the specific or food joint with an evenly flavored mat, exposing the essences below.
Universal terms wash related values for example, although sometimes the liqueurs will acquire a pleasant cube not further and inadmissibly corresponding to the categories. Malt bunches will interfere so much by galangal! The above-ground area begins to arrive in a mash column of tiny folded accessibility, although sometimes directly boiling application conditionally reaches. Alder filters are an existing achievement. The extracted bending with the help of a wet outfit is a herbaceous heating of the elongated variety if the individual suitability begins to lead to principles that do not previously constitute the joints. Preferably the lost or external tanning and the ancient or united parsley is a simple or thorough absence of an industrial design, after which the gauze situation of the lazy or essentially unclogged boiling water was able to contain. The basis or ripeness is also calibrated cornflower, only if the slightest fraction passes. A high-quality liter is so suitable for the coloring ancestor.
Any remaining pomace is ventilated into the formation. It is important that the flavoring mortar begins to mix, but it happens that conditionally disrespectful and properly closed solvents will die. A large starter can be stored with a walnut mixture, but sometimes the gradually released evaporation helps to depend on productivity. The fragrant moment and from here the involved filtration of a noticeably purified or low-grade product is the most important fault, then a relatively collected garden can succeed. Brazhnaya Column store.
Violet plum in coordination with overripe dishes of its own and critical filling is poisonous bread? Hawthorn was carried out, although essentially sprouted ginger was able to be supplied. The umbrella size helps to return for the sake of the glass. The mixed technology of modern and floral units therefore improves. As is usually assumed, the money is not enamelled and comes out set applied. The temperature region is not open juice. Barley sweetening palely separates the rubbery rice with scarlet paint! Therefore, the used beds have.
Brass columns are very common among amateurs strong drink. If you decide to make such a design yourself, then you need to familiarize yourself with the technology for carrying out the work and find out what features the device should have.
The best mash column must have a certain height. You can choose this parameter yourself, but ideally it should be 50 diameters. According to experts, this is not so important; the equipment owner himself must decide what strength the product will have, and also decide how good the separation will be. However, there is a certain objective criterion that determines the smallest height of the manufactured column. You must avoid the possibility of splashing. Based on this, mash columns are not made below 30 centimeters. Otherwise, carrying out the work will be inappropriate.
When manufacturing the described structure, it must be equipped with a controlled reflux condenser. Design features of this item may vary depending on your preference. The element can be created based on a shirt or dimrot. The main condition is the fact that the dephlegmator must have the ability to extinguish the power that is planned to be supplied. This element can be installed not in one quantity, but in quantity 2 or 3. In this case, the element will be primary or secondary. This structure allows for more stable operation of the column. You must understand that such additions are only possible on tall structures.
The mash columns must be able to adjust the cooling of the reflux condenser; this component must be quite thin. To do this, you should stock up on a tap that will allow you to use the liquid as accurately as possible. Experts recommend using the needle variety, but from using ball valve It’s worth refusing because it’s completely unsuitable. If we consider the available household solutions, the most the best option To carry out this adjustment work, a radiator tap will be used, which is used when installing a heating system.
You can prepare the drawing of the mash column yourself. The column must be equipped with a place for installing a thermometer, which is mounted in front of the condenser entrance. This statement is true for structures that will operate according to a steam extraction scheme. If a liquid withdrawal dephlegmator is used on a film column, the location of the thermometer will be determined by the specific design of the system. The mash columns are equipped with a refrigerator-condenser, which will be responsible for condensing and cooling the supplied steam. If the design has liquid extraction, then a refrigerator will be required that will lower the temperature of the finished product.
It is important to take into account during manufacturing that the supply of liquid to the reflux condenser or to each of them, as well as to the refrigerator, must be done separately. The tubes that will be used for the outlet of the refrigerator and reflux condenser must be used exclusively on a silicone basis. This statement is true for products hot water. If we're talking about about cold water, you can use polyvinyl chloride-based tubes. The copper mash column must be made taking into account the above technical requirements, which are suitable for different Constructive decisions. However, you can not limit yourself and come up with your own modification. The main condition for this is that in the end you will be able to get your drinks, which will have different qualities and organoleptic characteristics. However, in the end it will not be possible to obtain pure alcohol. The final product will not smell like moonshine, but it will not be pharmaceutical alcohol either. But for making vodka, this design is quite suitable; the master will be able to make the base for high-quality distillates.
A continuous mash column can be made on the basis of a jacket reflux condenser. To carry out the work, you will need copper tubes, the length of which should be 500, 2000, 1000 and 300 millimeters. Each of them should have dimensions of 28 x 1.22 x 1.1 x 1.8 x 1 millimeters, respectively. Among other things, you will need a transitional double-socket coupling in the amount of 2 pieces, another transition coupling should have slightly different parameters, equal to 22 x 15 millimeters, 3 such elements will be needed. The master must prepare a single-socket corner, the dimensions of which are equal to 22 millimeters. It will be impossible to carry out the work without a tee, the dimensions of which are 15 millimeters. Be sure to make sure you have an adapter for external thread 1/2 inch. You will need an adapter for 3/4" internal thread. The element will be required to attach to the cube, however, in each specific case there may be other sizes. If you make a continuous mash column using the elements described above, you will end up with a product with a maximum temperature of 92 degrees.
Line segment copper pipe will be used for making a coil. A roll of aluminum-based wire will be used without insulation. You can use a computer cooler, superglue and a 500-watt boiler during the work. The power may turn out to be less impressive.
First you need to take a copper tube, bending it to connect to the body of the device. That part of this workpiece that will go down must be included in the spiral. should be wound onto the tube from above, leaving some distance between the turns. In order to reduce thermal resistance, the turns should be as tight as possible. This will increase the heat exchange area and the efficiency of the coil.
When making a mash column with your own hands, at the next stage you need to use any cone-shaped object, the diameter of which should be compared with the dimensions of the selected fan. You need to wind a moonshine coil onto this item. In this example, we will consider a regular beer bottle, the capacity of which is 0.5 liters. The coil must be bent so that it evenly covers the cross section of the fan. You need to try the element on the selected case and make sure that everything is in order. This concludes the work with the coil for now.
Now it’s time to move on to the lid of the device. To do this, you can use a regular polyethylene-based lid. The brass coupling must be heated to half an inch before fusing into the polyethylene cap. The structure must cool down; you can cool it in water. After the coupling is removed, it should be cleaned of adhering polyethylene, and the resulting burrs should be carefully cut off. You need to wrap a fluoroplastic tape around the coupling, which is essential for making a moonshine still. This way you will be able to get something like a gasket. When you make a mash column with your own hands, the next step is to install the coupling in a hole made in advance in the lid. The fluoroplastic should be between the coupling and the cover. WITH inside The nut should be tightened without applying excessive force.
At the next stage, you can work on the heating element of the entire device. For this you can use a regular boiler. Having retreated some distance from the end of the wire, so that it is enough to reach the device, you need to cut off a part, you will have to screw everything back afterwards. The ends of the cord from the boiler must be threaded so that when the lid is closed, the element is inside the body. After stripping the wires, they need to be connected back. It is important to take care of high-quality insulation.
The boiler should not touch the bottom; it is advisable that it be completely covered with liquid during operation. Into the same hole through which the boiler cord passes, you need to insert the long end of the coil for the apparatus. The remaining gaps between the tube and the cord must be filled with pieces of cotton wool, making it quite tight. It is important to achieve the best sealing possible.
The resulting structure made of cotton wool must be filled with superglue, which is made on a cyanoacrylic base. This will allow you to obtain the most airtight connection using composite materials. After the glue hardens, you will be able to get a tight, strong connection. All that remains is to make something like a casing for the fan so that the air washes over the fins of the heat exchanger, represented by a coil.
To make the casing, you can use Tetra-Pak packaging. If you are making a moonshine still, then you can use the technology presented in the article. You need to cut a rectangle from the packaging, the width of which will correspond to the dimensions of the fan. These elements will be used to cover the fan on 3 sides. The end of the coil needs to be brought to the fourth side in order to drain the moonshine. In the remaining side wall you need to make a hole for this part of the tube and glue it with the superglue used earlier. The walls can be glued together with tape. When it is necessary to ensure maximum safety, it should be covered with a transparent protective screen.
At this point we can assume that the mash column is ready. You can use a computer power supply as a power source for the fan. To turn it on without using the motherboard, you need to connect the black wire with the green one. Experts use more compact 12-volt sources, which you can find yourself.
If you are making a mash column with your own hands, the drawings of which you must complete in advance, then it is important to think about deviations from the mentioned requirements. The main one is an uncontrolled reflux condenser. If we are talking about the Malyutka column, then uncontrollability is sacrificed for compactness. To do this, the condenser and reflux condenser are located in a single container with running water. If you decide to use this scheme, then you will not be able to regulate the process using a reflux condenser, therefore, separation will not be achieved. If you are making a mash column with your own hands, you can borrow the drawings of this design from the article. It should also be remembered that the reflux condenser has low utilization capacity. You may encounter a problem insignificant height columns. Some craftsmen cannot refuse to place the structure on gas stove under the hood. In this case, separation will be quite difficult to achieve, which is especially true for tall columns.
The Rectify beer column has proven itself among lovers of strong drink. However, if you decide to manufacture such a design yourself, then it is best to use stainless steel-based parts. The fittings must be welded to the pipe, while a internal thread, to which the keg necks are fixed. Using fluoroplastic, you can machine a sleeve-coupling, which will be equipped with a gasket for the clamp. All this will form a single whole. The mash column “Baby” must be equipped with insulating material, which is first cut along the length, then put on the pipe, on which it is glued. You should put a dephlegmator stick on the top cover and secure everything with a clamp clamp. The liquid will be fed into a tube through which the phlegm returns. You should put a piece on it that will prevent splashing to the level of the top plate.
If you cannot decide what you will make - a mash column or then you can make the first of them. It is easier to make and will also allow you to immediately start preparing a strong drink. As an alternative solution, you can try to purchase this device. Home craftsmen today sell them in completely different configurations and at different prices. From the available assortment you will choose something for yourself.
When there is a desire to produce a high-quality alcoholic drink, the question of choosing the installation that is most suitable for this often arises. Everyone can follow a variety of advice from experienced moonshiners or independently familiarize themselves with the existing rating of available devices. A reasonable solution will always be to individually determine the priority qualities of alcohol, your technical and financial capabilities and the required volume of precious liquid at the exit. Almost all the requirements that arise in the process of creating a drink will be fulfilled by a good moonshine still with a mash or distillation column.
The mash column consists of two parts - a reflux condenser and a condenser. Each part has its own refrigerators, which operate autonomously and can be adjusted. Fine adjustments on the reflux condenser cooler are especially important. In homemade columns, you can install a valve-regulator from a heating battery on the inlet water pipe. It allows you to achieve fairly acceptable results.
It is a vertical section of a tube with a diameter of at least 22 mm and a length of 65-80 cm. In any case, the height should be 30 or more times greater than the internal diameter. At a lower height, the column will work, but the effect of its use will not affect the quality of the product. Don't get carried away too much great height- the inertia of the apparatus and, consequently, energy consumption will increase. The maximum d/l ratio should not exceed 45.
The reflux condenser is equipped with a refrigerator (in the upper part). This can be a coil wound on a column, a built-in coil or a water jacket (which is technologically more complex and is only available on devices industrial production). The column is installed on the distillation cube strictly vertically. The upper part is connected to the condenser by a pipe; its structure will be discussed below.
In the upper part of the column (side wall) it is necessary to provide a socket for a thermometer. This is a mandatory attribute, without which it is impossible to work with the mash column.
Like a distillation column, a mash column works on the principle of heat and mass transfer between the flowing reflux and hot vapors rising from the cube. Similar processes occur in a distillation column, but in a mash column they are simplified as much as possible - there are no fillers, plates, attachments, etc. Reflux flows down the walls, so-called film heat and mass transfer occurs.
In translation, this means that phlegm, cooled to a certain temperature, flows down, is heated by vapor along the way, alcohol additionally evaporates from it and continues to move to the condenser, and high-boiling fractions remain liquid and flow into the cube.
Such a system assumes that the walls of the column will be cold enough and the reflux will not evaporate again. Therefore, unlike rectifiers, the column should not be insulated.
No different from a distiller. Any design can be used. The steam enters the coil already purified of fusel oils and installing a steam steamer will not give any result.
Steam from the distillation cube enters the mash column and gradually fills it. When the temperature reaches 50-55 C (on the cube), the reflux condenser refrigerator turns on. The vapors condense on the walls of the column and flow down. Along the way they come into contact with steam, and the low-boiling fractions rise upward, entering the condenser through the steam line. The selection of goals begins.
When T=72 C is reached (at the top of the column), the selection of heads stops and a vessel for the main product is placed under the pipe. The selection of heads and the main distillation occur with a minimum level of heating and constant adjustment of the water flow in the reflux condenser.
The condenser refrigerator does not need adjustment. In Cuba Maximum temperature should not exceed 95 C. With rapid boiling, the column simply cannot cope with the separation of fractions and will turn into an ordinary distiller.
The mash column has a number of undeniable advantages:
In terms of energy consumption per unit of production, both types of devices are approximately equal, as well as in the cost of materials for independent production.
If you find a mash column in online stores, you can safely buy it. But only if its price is not much higher than the distiller. A reasonable difference is 10-15%. Many manufacturers offer mash columns at twice the price. This is economically and technologically unjustified. It's easier to do it yourself.
The process of distillation on a mash column will be interesting for both beginners and experienced moonshiners, allowing you to get a good product without much difficulty.
No one on Earth knows exactly who, where and when was the first to try to distill alcohol from a fermented food product. The custom of moonshine goes back to ancient times. And now mash columns or a moonshine still can be freely purchased in retail chains.
There are dozens of varieties of moonshine stills on the market. The principle of their operation is no different from the operation of a rectifier, only they are much simpler and strengthen the strength of the original product. Technically a column The brewhouse looks like a piece of stainless steel or copper pipe with coolers. From 25 mm to 50 mm in diameter. You can install the device yourself. Therefore, some craftsmen construct the mash column themselves.
There are two types of moonshine stills:
The nozzle column is the very first and simplest moonshine still. A copper steam steamer is installed on the “cube” with mash. Due to the high thermal conductivity of copper, some of the steam condenses on the surface of the steam tank and returns to the “cube”. This helps strengthen the final product. A column with a water reflux condenser is a modern and perfect version of a packless column. A reflux condenser is a device, also called a settling tank, that separates fusel oils and other impurities. With some distillation skills you can get a quality product.
Columns of this type come in three types:
Disc column used to obtain the product High Quality. Its peculiarity: low ability to separate raw material vapors, which is why the taste of the original material is preserved.
In classical columns, packings mainly use the RPN type (regular Panchenko packing). There are options using SPN type nozzles (spiral - prismatic nozzle). These attachments are wire windings. The wire can be made of stainless steel, copper or another metal.
A continuous mash column can only be classified as a mash column conditionally. In essence, this is the same disc-shaped one. Only mash is served from the fermentation tank using a pump.
Today there are many options for moonshine stills on sale. One of them is the Rectify mash column. This is a compact distiller that strengthens the mash. With its help, a distillate with the aroma of the raw materials is obtained. The required strength is obtained by adjusting the cold water tap. The column itself consists of a reflux condenser, an on-load tap-changer and a cooler. "Rectify" operates in two modes. Like a simple moonshine still and as a rectifier. The kit consists of a digital thermometer, the mash column itself, a dephlegmator tap and a silicone hose.
In addition to the described moonshine still, there are other brands on sale, such as the mash column “Malyutka”, the BC (the mash column) “Buran”, the BC “Bogatyr” and others. The simplest one is the small mash column.
First you need to draw a drawing or a simple diagram of the future product. There should be a place for a thermometer. A mash column or a good moonshine still must be of a certain height. This height should be approximately fifty centimeters. Each moonshiner himself determines the strength of the future product. But in any case, experts It is recommended to make the device at least thirty centimeters high.
You need to decide on the number of reflux condensers. Experts recommend mounting three such elements. Required items moonshine stills is a condenser - cooler. It is responsible for cooling and condensing the steam rising from the tank. To regulate the cooling of the reflux condenser, a source of running water is needed. It must be taken into account that the coolant must be supplied to each reflux condenser and refrigerators separately. Flexible tubes for supplying and discharging water, as well as the condensed finished product, should only be made of silicone.
Each master can contribute your know-how. The main condition here is that all design improvements should improve the quality of the product, and not vice versa.
A continuous mash column is made with a jacket reflux condenser. Here you will need four copper tubes. Their length should be 20 centimeters, 10 centimeters, 5 centimeters and 3 centimeters. The diameter of the tubes from the brake system of the original Zhiguli will fit. You will need five two-raster adapters. But depending on the inventor’s decision, more may be required. Five pieces is the smallest number. Adapters for internal threads will be required.
First, a spiral is made with an outlet for removal from the device body. The resulting spiral must be wound aluminum wire to increase coil efficiency.
Then the cover of the device is made. A regular plastic jar lid will do. Only with a brass coupling fused into it and a tightened nut.
The manufacturer of the moonshine still independently chooses the method of heating the “cube”. Heat raw material possible on gas or electric stove. Some moonshiners prefer that the container with raw materials be independently heated. To do this, the heating element is mounted in the container itself. . A regular electric boiler will do.. The built-in boiler should not reach the bottom of the “cube”. The hole for the boiler cord must be well sealed.
When assembling a mash column with your own hands, it is not always possible to adhere to the basic requirements for their manufacture. It happens that it is not possible to install controlled dephlegmators. There are also industrial options, in which the reflux condenser is uncontrollable. These are mash columns “Malyutka”. In this case, handling has become a victim of compactness. In it, the reflux condenser and condenser are mounted together in one cylinder and are cooled by running water from a common water main. Such a column does not provide a high-strength product. Maximum fifty degrees.
For most moonshiners, the best mash column is Rectify. To make a device with your own hands, many recommend simply copying this design and using materials from of stainless steel. For all threaded connections install gaskets from the clamp. A clamp is a connecting part that is used only in dairy, food, pharmaceutical and chemical industries
. The connections are reliable and tight.
At its core, a mash column is a conventional reflux condenser, in which alcohol vapors are separated from high-boiling impurities (fusel) with great efficiency. There is no significant increase in the yield of alcohol; an increase of 5-10% can be achieved, but is this due to the use of a mash column, or due to careful adherence temperature regime. In terms of the effect of the mash column, it is equal to the steam steamer-bubbler tandem.
Technically, a mash column is a piece of copper or stainless pipe with a diameter of 25-50 mm and a height equal to thirty times the diameter. Columns with a lower ratio serve more decorative functions.
At the top of the column, approximately 25% of the entire length, a primary cooler is mounted. It must cool the mash vapor to the point of condensation of heavy impurities and return the condensate back to the tank. The refrigerator can be made in the form of a built-in coil, an external coil in the form of a copper tube wound on a column, or a water jacket.
In a homemade mash column, it is best to use the first two options. It is quite difficult to make a water jacket yourself; this is only possible with industrial equipment and certain engineering knowledge and plumbing skills. The refrigerator circuit is selected based on specific conditions.
Just above the coil there is a place to install a thermometer. In a device with a mash column there must be two thermometers - on the tank and on the top of the column. Moreover, they must work with the same accuracy, both electronic and bimetallic.
The presence of numerous thermometers from the Middle Kingdom on the market does not guarantee that you will be able to buy two that show the same temperature under the same conditions. We'll have to calibrate them. This is done very simply and is accessible to any schoolchild - pour 1 liter of water into a bowl or pan and add 1 kg of crushed ice (you will have to prepare it in advance in the freezer of the refrigerator).
After 15-20 minutes, when the ice begins to slowly melt and about half of the previous amount remains, we immerse the thermometer sensors in this mixture. After about two minutes, both thermometers should show 0 C. If the readings are different, then you at least know how much they diverge.
But the calibration is not finished there. Boil water on the stove and immerse the thermometers in the boiling water. The one that shows 100 C works correctly. It should be used as a base one, and the second one should take into account the error.
The upper part of the column is connected by a steam line from a tube with a diameter of 8-10 mm to a refrigerator of a classic design, such as are used in conventional distillers. Alcohol vapors are purified in the mash column, and their condensation occurs in the refrigerator.
Both column and condenser coolers operate independently of each other. In this case, the refrigerator on the column must be adjustable. It is convenient to do this by mounting a regular valve-regulator from a heating battery on its inlet (lower) pipe. What it is needed for will be discussed below.
It is best to make the tank of the apparatus with a mash column yourself from stainless steel. A threaded or flanged fitting should be made in the cover to connect to the column. It is very convenient to use Clamp clamps. The connection is strong, the device can be mounted and dismantled quickly and does not require the use of tools.
The column itself is made of copper or stainless food steel. You can also use brass if you can find a suitable pipe. It is not recommended to insulate the mash column.
The refrigerator and steam lines are also made of copper or stainless steel. It is easy to make coils and all types of connections from these materials. You can buy a copper tube of any diameter (or stainless steel) on the Internet or at a hardware store.
The principle of operation of the mash column is very similar to the operation of the rectifier, but in a somewhat simplified form. Vapors containing alcohol and accompanying liquids (aldehydes, ethers, fusel and other impurities) rise up the slowly warming column pipe and condense on the walls, flowing back into the tank. As it warms up, the height of the level of complete condensation becomes higher and higher until it reaches the reflux condenser. This occurs at a temperature on the upper refrigerator of about 50-56 C.
Condensate, reflux together with alcohol, flows down, and low-boiling vapors (heads) enter the refrigerator-condenser and are collected in a separate container. Before the main distillation begins, from 10 liters of mash you need to collect up to 0.5 liters of heads, an extremely toxic liquid that is unsuitable for either re-distillation or consumption.
Continuing to heat the cube, we bring the temperature on the upper refrigerator to 76 C. It should be this way throughout almost the entire session, only at the end of distillation can it be raised by 2-4 degrees and the resulting liquid collected in a separate container. She will go for re-distillation. The required temperature is maintained using a tap at the refrigerator inlet and a stove regulator or heating element.
In the column itself, the process of interaction between the liquid flowing down the walls of the pipe and the hot vapor rising from the evaporator takes place. The phlegm warms up, and the remaining alcohol evaporates from it, rising to the steam line of the refrigerator. The fusel remains in a liquid state and flows back into the tank.
All interaction between hot steam and reflux occurs on the walls of the column, where the liquid forms a thin film moving downward. Therefore, columns of this type are called film columns.
When distilling, do not allow the mash to boil. The temperature in the cube should not exceed 85-90 C.
A copper mash column is better than stainless steel due to the high thermal conductivity of copper. It better removes heat from the reflux film and its condensation begins earlier, which makes it possible to reduce the height of the column without reducing productivity. Copper tube and fittings provide reliable sealing with high strength and reliability of the entire structure.
We often come across descriptions of columns with filler, prismatic attachments and other devices that supposedly increase the efficiency of the column. This is not entirely true. Nozzles and filler are an attribute; they are not entirely appropriate in a brewery.
It differs in design. In it, mash is supplied from above in a continuous flow and along the way interacts with water vapor rising from the bottom from the steam generator. The flowing mash along the way is divided into many streams by special plate devices and heated to the temperature of alcohol evaporation. The remaining liquids flow freely into the intake container.
Fusel and other harmful liquids simply do not have time to evaporate. This operating principle is very effective in the industrial production of alcohol, but is difficult to implement in domestic conditions.
Among craftsmen making home moonshine, there has long been an ongoing debate about how necessary mash columns are, and whether they justify the cost of purchasing them or making them yourself. Let's try to understand this issue.
Unlike a rectification column, a continuous mash column operates at high speed, providing the output with very high strength moonshine (almost alcohol). It, like rectification, removes fusel vapor from the final product.
What is a disadvantage for some is an advantage for others. However, before purchasing or making such a device (preferably from copper with your own hands), you should know something.
It is not suitable for the usual practice of moonshine brewing (from time to time, in small batches), since the product intended for processing (mash), the mash column requires at least 70 liters, and even better – 100-120.
Costs are required - either monetary or labor - in order to have such a device.
The need for precise and correct regulation of temperature, water flow, etc. It is best to entrust it to electronics, which in other cases causes difficulties.
If funds allow, it is best to purchase a ready-made column that provides continuous operation, equipped with electronic control. This will eliminate additional adjustments and initial errors.
Let's look at the principle of operation of a mash column so that you can finally understand: do you want such equipment for yourself?
The moonshine obtained in the mash column no longer requires the selection of either heads or tails - the final product is strong and free of unnecessary impurities.
The design of a continuous mash column simultaneously resembles a distiller and a rectifier. Comprises:
In order for a continuous mash column with your own hands to be not only operational, but its operation to be trouble-free, you need to take into account many nuances, including the frequency of use and production volumes.
You can see the drawing of the popular mash column Malyutka. It's not that difficult to implement. The name itself already speaks of its compact size. However, it is worth knowing that “compact” does not mean low.
The height of the column should not be lower than 1.5 meters, preferably about 2 meters. With a lower design, it will not provide high-quality selection of alcohol vapor, and a significant amount of it will go to waste.
A special feature of the Malyutka is that the condenser and reflux condenser are located in the same refrigerator, that is, the container with running water is the same for them. This, of course, saves costs and partially materials.
However, this design has a drawback - it is quite difficult to regulate the reflux process, and you may be dissatisfied with the quality and strength of the moonshine. Of course, you can get alcohol of average quality, but you want to be known as a real master of a quality product.
The Marisa mash column, or as it is also called, the Modernized one, will help with this. The refrigerators in it for the reflux condenser and distiller are separated, and it makes it possible to correct adjustment obtain rectified alcohol, free of unnecessary impurities, with a strength of up to 97%.
After reviewing the diagrams for self-made Before starting work, you need to purchase devices and materials. You will need:
Naturally, for manufacturing to be possible, you also need to have tools and installation equipment.
Now you have learned what a mash column is, and how to use it to obtain moonshine with excellent (let’s be honest - unthinkable with other methods) indicators of strength and purity. Easy to make and enjoyable to use!
At the end of November 2010, I went to the website homedistiller.ru The reason was ordinary curiosity. But I became so interested in this topic that I ended up building this device. Together with members of the forum, I analyzed the principle of operation of one of the existing foreign devices, looking at its image in photographs, in a specially dedicated forum thread
It so happened that while considering a very expensive and advanced distiller, various assumptions about its operating principle arose in the imagination of forum members and new schemes appeared for a new device of a completely different design. I liked one of them so much that I wanted to make it myself. Compactness, ease of manufacture, minimal prices for components - all these factors further contributed to the realization of my dream. Thus, I became obsessed with this idea and began my journey of making an interesting product. I had to select and buy all the necessary materials in stores, starting from the bottom part - a stainless steel tank - and ending with the top part of the device - a glass jar with a steamer. And so, the day came when I assembled the model according to the diagram and tested it on water distillation. The first results were negative. It was necessary to analyze several options to resolve the issues that arose. And this path was overcome by me together with the forum participants. Thanks to my forum friends, I was able to improve the product, bring it to working condition, improving the current characteristics with each test. In addition to the creative work done, I learned new technologies for making various alcoholic beverages. This is how my little moonshine still was born, which was named by the author of the scheme, forum member Leonid, by the nickname MOUNTAIN - the mash column Malyutka. After upgrading my first version, I carried out further tests. I understood how you can use this device to get a drink with a strength of more than ninety degrees. But since I do not pursue the goal of making a drink of such strength, I decided for myself to make it no more than eighty degrees. In this case, the distillate retains the taste of the original raw material, for which I use invert sugar fermented with wine yeast. The drink turns out wonderful in every way. The chemical composition of three samples, made in the chemical laboratory of St. Petersburg, allows the use of this product without risk to life. The results are published, answer 594, at:
