How to make a 'still' for fermenting alcohol

When I was a kid, wayyyy back in the day, I watched a lot of the TV show Mash.

The doctors were always making cocktails in their tent - they had mastered the art of using a still to make their own moonshine/alcohol.

You can too!

If you were not aware, a still is a device used to separate alcohol from fermented liquid, such as wine, beer or fruit mash, by heating it and collecting the alcohol vapour. It's a great example of using science to help you make some of your own spirit cocktail creations.

Gather the materials: To make a still, you will need a large pot or kettle, a smaller pot, a copper or stainless steel tubing, a thermometer, a copper or stainless steel cooling coil, and a collection container.

Or you can buy a professionally made still: 

Assemble the still: Place the large pot or kettle on a heat source and add the fermented liquid. Place the smaller pot on top of the large pot and make sure it's securely in place. The smaller pot will act as the "still head" and it should be able to hold the cooling coil.

Attach the cooling coil: Attach one end of the copper or stainless steel tubing to the still head and the other end to the cooling coil. The cooling coil should be placed in a container of cold water to cool the vapor and condense it into liquid.

Heat the still: Heat the still and monitor the temperature with a thermometer. The temperature should be kept below 170 degrees Fahrenheit (77 degrees Celsius) to prevent the creation of harmful compounds such as methanol.

Collect the alcohol: Once the temperature reaches the desired level, the alcohol vapor will be produced and pass through the tubing and cooling coil, where it will be condensed back into liquid and collected in the container. 

At face value, this is a simple process but be very wary about methanol.

Here are some tips for using a still for alcohol production:

• Use a high-quality ferment: The quality of the fermented liquid will greatly affect the quality of the final distilled product. Make sure to use high-quality ingredients and a clean, sanitized fermenting vessel to ensure a clean and pure distillate.
• Monitor the temperature: As mentioned before, it's important to keep the temperature below 170 degrees Fahrenheit (77 degrees Celsius) to prevent the creation of harmful compounds such as methanol. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature and make adjustments as needed.
• Use a proper condenser: A proper condenser is critical to the distillation process. The condenser is used to cool the vapor and turn it back into liquid. It's important to use a good quality condenser that is able to cool the vapor quickly and efficiently.
• Use a hydrometer to check the alcohol content: A hydrometer is a tool used to measure the density of a liquid and thus the alcohol content. Take a sample of the distillate and measure the alcohol content to ensure that it's safe to consume.
• Start with small batches: It's recommended to start with small batches until you gain more experience and understanding of the distillation process.
• Be aware of the laws and regulations: In some countries, it's illegal to distill alcohol at home. Be aware of the laws and regulations in your area before starting to distill alcohol (more on this below)

The risk of methanol when distilling alcohol

When using a still to separate alcohol from fermented liquid, it's important to account for the presence of methanol, as it can be seriously harmful if consumed in large quantities. 

Methanol is a type of alcohol that is produced during the fermentation process, and it has a lower boiling point than ethanol (the type of alcohol found in beer and wine). This means that methanol will boil off at a lower temperature than ethanol, and it can be present in the final distilled product.

To account for the presence of methanol when using a still, it's important to monitor the temperature and keep it below 170 degrees Fahrenheit (77 degrees Celsius) to prevent the creation of methanol and other harmful compounds. This is because methanol boils off at a lower temperature than ethanol, around 148-149°F (64-65°C).

Another way to reduce the presence of methanol in the final product is by using a column still that has a higher reflux ratio, this allows the methanol to be redistilled and removed before the final product is collected.

It's important to note that distilling alcohol at home can be dangerous and can produce harmful compounds. It's illegal in some countries and should be done with caution and under the guidance of an expert. Additionally, the alcohol produced by this method should not be consumed without proper knowledge and understanding of the risks associated with consuming high-proof alcohol.

You can always consider tasking a sample of the distillate and have it tested by a professional to determine the alcohol content and the presence of methanol.

Can I use a still in the United States to make alcohol?

The legality of using a still to make alcohol varies from country to country. In some countries, it is legal to use a still for personal use, but not for commercial use or sale. In other countries, it is illegal to use a still for any purpose.

In the United States, it is legal for an individual to own a still for personal use, but it is illegal to use it to produce alcohol for sale without a license from the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). 

In Canada, it is legal to own a still for personal use, but it is illegal to use it to produce alcohol for sale without a license from the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA).

In the United Kingdom, it is legal to own a still for personal use, but it is illegal to use it to produce alcohol for sale without a license from the HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC).

In Australia, it is illegal to distill alcohol without a license from the Australian Taxation Office (ATO).

It's important to check the laws and regulations in your country before using a still to make alcohol. Additionally, it's important to note that distilling alcohol at home can be dangerous and can produce harmful compounds. It's important to seek guidance from an expert to ensure that the process is done safely and correctly.

Should I use a Reflux Still or a Pot Still?

When it comes to distilling alcohol, there are two main types of stills that are commonly used: Reflux stills and pot stills. Both have their own set of pros and cons,

Reflux Still:

Pros

• Reflux stills have a high reflux ratio, which allows for a more efficient and precise distillation process.
• The higher reflux ratio also allows for a higher alcohol content in the final product, typically around 95% ABV.
• Reflux stills can produce a neutral spirit with fewer impurities, as the reflux column allows for the removal of impurities before the final product is collected.
• It is more efficient and requires less energy than a pot still.

Cons:

• Reflux stills are more complex and expensive to build or purchase than pot stills.
• It's harder to control the final flavor profile of the spirit using a reflux still, as the reflux column tends to strip away some of the flavors and aromas.

Pot Still:

Pros:

• Pot stills are less complex and less expensive to build or purchase than reflux stills.
• They allow more control over the final flavor profile of the spirit, as the pot still allows for some of the flavors and aromas to be retained in the final product.
• Pot stills are ideal for producing traditional spirits such as whiskey, brandy, and rum.

Cons:

• Pot stills have a lower reflux ratio than reflux stills, which means that the distillation process is less efficient and the final product is less pure.
• Pot stills typically produce a lower alcohol content in the final product, typically around 60-70% ABV.
• Pot stills require more energy than reflux stills.

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How to make home made gin from vodka

How to make gin with vodka and a gin kit 

One of my favorite TV shows as a kid was M.A.S.H. Even as a young kid I could pick up on most of the seriousness of that show, comedy aside.

One of the things that always amused me was how Pierce Hawkeye and his doctor buddies were always distilling alcohol in their tent and having a few drinks after performing harrowing surgery on wounded soldiers.

And then going straight back to it.

It wasn't till I was an adult, had actually drunk alcohol and understood its effect and also had a comprehension of the true reality of war that I understood why Captain Hawkeye would feel the need to have a few drinks in him.

Because war is hell.

Lucky for us though, most of us just want to make our own alcohol and have a quiet evening drink before we retire for the night, and our choice of poison?

Gin.

Home brewed gin.

Home brewed gin with a vodka base!

So let's make some using this kit!

What is gin brewed from?

Gin is never just gin.

It is always made from a base of alcohol and that's why this why The Homemade Gin Kit has all the necessary ingredients and materials - you just need to supply 750 mls of vodka. 

The vodka is the starting point. 

So what does this gin brewing kit actually come with?

• Includes: Two 375ml Glass Bottles, Fine Stainless Steel Strainer, Stainless Steel Funnel
• Includes: One tin of juniper berries & One tin of botanical blend
• Made in USA so you're helping Americans keep their jobs.

Essentially what the kit is helping you do is soaking the berries and spices in the alcohol.  Because we using the historical soaking method, we're more likely to get more solids and some color (potentially like amber).

So how to use the gin making kit? 

• Sterilize the bottle bottles. You could boil them or using something like sodium percarbonate.
• Add your botanicals to the jar
• Add your vodka, then leave to infuse in a cool dark place for 24 hours or so
• The next day, taste your infusion – it should already be beginning to taste like gin. That's the juniper taking hold. If you're feeling fancy add some fresh peel orange peel and any extra botanicals whose flavor you want to boost.
• Leave for up to another 24 hours. Give the bottles a shake a couple of times during that time. 
• You are done. Use the strainer to get rid of the sediment and bottle. 
• Enjoy with friends (and food!)

Here's a handy tip. If you want a stronger juniper flavor, and most gin drinkers prefer this, you can crush the juniper berries before adding them to the vodka.

If you want to add even more juniper berries, they're usually available at the spice counter at any major grocery store. You can also find them on Amazon.

So am I making gin or not?

Now, we'll say this upfront just in case some naysayers tut in with,' this is not how you make proper gin!' 

We are not making distilled gin, we are making infused gin. So you won't need any distilling equipment.

Because gin by definition is an alcoholic drink where juniper berries are the main ingredient.

Is this cheating? Maybe, either way, it's a nice drink to make.

The economics of making your own gin

What you are doing here is not making gin to make a cheap gin. 

You are making gin for the experience of it and the taste and enjoyment reward.

While the vodka infusion method is not difficult at all, there's some reward in taking the time to follow the instructions and the process of making your own gin. 

The reward will be the same any home beer brewer gets, the satisfaction of having made the thing you are drinking. 

If you are trying to make a fine gin, this method is not for you. You could try setting up a still or a home distillery but that's for keen enthusiasts only. 

So, are you ready to order then? The Homemade Gin Kit also have refill options so you can reuse the bottles and make over 2 litres of homemade gin!

Add some fine tonic, bottoms up and to your good health Hawkeye!

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