In recent years, it’s no secret to anyone, the cost of store-bought alcohol has risen a lot, so many people have switched to the production of home-made drinks of this kind. For this, so-called moonshine stills are used. On new devices of industrial production, you can get drinks of good quality with a high degree of purification. In terms of quality, it will in no way be inferior to expensive store-bought alcohol. With a competent approach, it will be possible to get not classic moonshine, but almost pure alcohol with a strength of up to 96.6 degrees (it is used to make tinctures), natural whiskey, bourbon, calvados or even cognac.
Unfortunately, not all people understand how to choose such designs. The specialists of our editorial board decided to help readers in solving this problem and developed a rating of the best moonshine stills. Here we will try to tell as much as possible about the key performance characteristics of the most popular devices, as well as give some useful tips that will definitely help the novice distiller to choose the most suitable model.
How to choose the right moonshine still in 2022?
The first step is to decide on the type of construction. In general, most people believe that there are only two of them — distillers and distillation columns, but in reality there are more of them. The distiller is a fairly simple design that will appeal to beginners. At the exit, it will be possible to get a drink with a strength of up to 70 degrees, but the degree of purification will not be too high. However, the drink will retain the organoleptic properties of the raw material. Such models are perfect for distilling mash based on grain or fruit.
The wash column includes three main elements — a hollow tube after the distillation cube, a dephlegmator and an aftercooler. It is in the dephlegmator that the vapors are separated into fractions. Alcohol vapors are light, so they will pass through it, settle in the aftercooler and enter the receiving container. Heavy fractions will settle on the walls and return back to the distillation cube. In such a device, the strength of drinks can reach 92 degrees, and their degree of purification will be much higher compared to a distiller, and the aroma will be preserved.
In the distillation column, the output is not moonshine, but alcohol with the highest degree of purification. The organoleptics of the original product is completely absent, so the final product is perfect for making liqueurs and tinctures. There is such a type of construction as alambic. It is a domed distiller made entirely of copper. Perfect for working with grain mashes, copper binds sulfur compounds well, which have a negative effect on the taste of the finished product.
Moonshine stills are usually made of stainless steel or copper. Copper is a fairly expensive material, and it also needs special care. Such a metal has a high thermal conductivity, which can significantly reduce the distillation time. However, more and more experienced moonshiners prefer stainless steel. It is inexpensive, has a high level of strength, does not absorb foreign odors and various kinds of pollution. There is a very important point that you should pay attention to — the steel must comply with Russian standards for the food industry, and the wall thickness must be at least 2 mm.
When we chose models to be included in the rating of the best moonshine stills, we took into account all the points that were mentioned above. A number of other important factors were also taken into account — value for money, as well as user reviews. We hope that after carefully reading this review, you will be able to choose the most suitable model for yourself, which will allow you to easily get strong drinks of the highest quality.
Rating of the best moonshine stills in 2022
10. Schnapser Extra 20 Pro
The design is equipped with a removable cover with a collar, a dryer on a clamp. It also provides a tie-in for the heating element, which makes this model much more convenient than other devices belonging to this category. Another important feature is the presence of a shell-and-tube refrigerator in this design. It allows you to provide the most efficient cooling with little water consumption.
The sukhoparnik is closed with a clamp, the cover can be easily removed if necessary, it does not siphon, unlike threaded connections. The products are equipped with an inset through which you can install a heating element if you need to work without using a stove. The cover, unlike the vast majority of models, can be removed completely. It is securely fastened with a clamping collar, which ensures absolute tightness.
Advantages:
- The design provides for a tie-in under the heating element;
- Shell-and-tube refrigerator;
- The lid of the cube is completely removable, sealed with a clamp;
- Sukhoparnik cover on the clamp.
Flaws:
- It’s pretty expensive;
- Not suitable for beginner moonshiners.
Moonshine Still Schnapser Extra 20 Pro
9. Germany 3
One of the most popular options among people who are just starting to master the art of home brewing. The design is characterized by simplicity, but it has an improved type of dryer. A flange lid is installed here, from which a small drawer extends, the length of which is 20 cm. Two Panchenkov nozzles, which are used to clean and strengthen the drink, can easily fit into it.
The drawer itself is not located in the center of the apparatus, but is somewhat shifted to the side to provide additional structural stability. The product is equipped with a steam pipeline with a tube diameter of 2 cm. The refrigerator is quite standard, but the length of the coil is increased, which made it possible to increase the productivity of this model up to 3 liters per hour. This model is not suitable for use with induction hob. The fact is that the bottom is slightly concave, so it will not fit snugly against the hob, as a result of which the heating is very slow.
Advantages:
- Increased tank strength;
- Excellent machine performance
- Even a novice distiller can easily cope with such a model;
- The design provides for a small tsarga;
- Refrigerator enlarged.
Flaws:
- The concave bottom makes it difficult to work on an induction hob;
- The lid of the dryer is screwed onto the thread.
Moonshine Still Schnapser Extra 20 Pro
8. Bacchus
An excellently advertised device, which is very popular among novice moonshiners. First of all, this model is characterized by low cost. It is also worth noting the non-standard design of such a device. First of all, there is no classic dry steamer. Instead, a small drawer is used, inside of which there are bubbling plates.
Four levels are also supplemented with Panchenkov nozzles, thanks to which the strength of the drink becomes much higher, and besides, it will turn out much cleaner. Instead of an outdated coil, this unit uses a much more efficient shell-and-tube refrigerator — it cools efficiently and saves water well. There are two thermometers here. The first of them is located on the tank for the selection of raw alcohol, the second is located on the steam line. It is designed to control the temperature during re-distillation.
Advantages:
- Qualitatively cleans moonshine;
- Increased level of performance;
- Two electronic type thermometers are provided;
- The dry steamer is equipped with bubbling trays.
Flaws:
- The neck is somewhat narrow;
- The body has sharp edges.
Bacchus moonshine still
7. Spring Pro 3
Quite a worthy model of domestic production, which also has a good price-quality ratio. The volume of the cube for this model is 30 liters. The device is a full-fledged distillation column, which can be adapted for the production of alcohol with a strength of up to 96.6 degrees, however, for this, it will be necessary to additionally place another 50 cm drawer in the design. crane. Due to such details, it is easier to cut off excess product.
In use, such an apparatus is quite simple — even a novice moonshiner who has not previously worked with column-type apparatuses can quickly master all its capabilities. The performance of the model is average — up to six liters of alcohol per hour. The drawer side is somewhat offset from the center, which gives the device even greater stability.
Advantages:
- Acceptable cost;
- Wide neck;
- It is possible to get real pure alcohol;
- Quite normal performance when used at home;
- The tsarga is offset from the center.
Flaws:
- Some users feel that the refrigerator is a bit weak;
- To get pure alcohol, you need to purchase and install an additional drawer.
Moonshine still Rodnik Pro 3
6. WEIN ReForm+
Such a device is able to dispense up to eight liters of alcohol in just one hour. These are domestic products, belong to the middle price category, the volume of the cube can be 20 or 37 liters. In the initial configuration, the design allows you to get a drink with a strength of up to 92 degrees. Pure alcohol can be distilled only as a result of installing another additional drawer.
The model provides for a liquid selection unit, however, it will additionally have to purchase an aftercooler and a needle valve. If we compare the device with other products included in this rating, then it stands out favorably with the presence of quick-release pneumatic fittings. The hoses are easy to attach and do not leak during operation. The kit comes with a safety valve that can work in two directions. In the presence of excess pressure, it will not allow an explosion, and in the event of a vacuum, it will not allow the cube to shrink.
Advantages:
- Quick-release mechanisms for valves;
- Decent performance figures;
- Improved safety valve design.
Flaws:
- It is necessary to purchase an additional aftercooler;
- The edges of the metal are not very well processed.
Moonshine Still WEIN ReForm+
5. Phoenix Sirius NEW
The device is an improved version compared to the previous generation. The developers have added fitting-type clamps to the design, designed for fast and reliable fastening of hoses. A more powerful refrigerator is installed here, the tank gasket presses the lid even more tightly. Although all other characteristics remained approximately at the previous level.
With the help of such a device, you can get up to 5.5 liters of raw alcohol per hour, its maximum strength reaches 90 degrees. The device can be purchased together with a heating element. The cost of a model equipped with such a product, of course, will be higher, but when using an induction hob, electricity costs will be even higher. This device does not have a selection unit, however, there is a significant number of clamp connections that open up almost limitless scope for modernization. In particular, the user can add an additional drawer to increase the strength of the drink, a gin basket or a diopter.
Advantages:
- Fitting type hose clamps;
- High power refrigerator;
- Decent equipment;
- On sale there is a modification with a heating element.
Flaws:
- The tank is made of fairly thin metal;
- Some users find performance to be low.
Moonshine Still Phoenix Sirius NEW
4 Schnapser X5
On sale, you are unlikely to find a two-inch-sized column that will cost so affordable. It is made at Russian enterprises, the volume of the cube can be 17.25, 37 or 50 liters. The maximum productivity of such a moonshine still reaches 12 liters of strong drinks per minute. Without additional modifications, the maximum strength of the released liquid will reach 91 degrees. It is very easy to increase the fortress and bring it to the level of pure alcohol — just add another 50 cm drawer to the structure.
The cooling element is powerful, as it consists of eight tubes. The drawer side is equipped with branded insulation, which increases the stability of the model, simplifies the disassembly of the heated device immediately after use. The dome cover is thick, it increases the usable volume, holds the column well even when it is built up.
Advantages:
- Quite acceptable cost;
- The cooler is powerful, includes eight tubes at once;
- The drawer side is equipped with a special insulation;
- Excellent quality components and assembly.
Flaws:
- To get pure alcohol, the apparatus will need to be modified.
Moonshine Still Schnapser X5
3. Column Suite-5
In third place of the best moonshine stills is a very high-quality model that can last for many years, and besides, it does not need special maintenance. This is one of the newest models, so only experienced moonshiners who follow the latest trends have heard of it.
In the design there is an insulated drawer side, a reflux condenser and a high-power cooler are provided. The product is supplied to the market in three modifications, so the user can choose the most suitable one for his needs and do not change or upgrade anything in it. Covers are of two types — dome or cone type. The selection nodes and a number of key components are the same in all three modifications. The middle one is enhanced by an additional tsarga and a diopter, which makes it possible to obtain pure alcohol in it. In the maximum configuration there is a coal column, a kilogram of coke coal, a gin basket, as well as 2 kg of SPN, which will fill both sides.
Advantages:
- Intended for both distillate and rectified;
- Excellent value for money;
- Several kits;
- Long period of operation.
Flaws:
- Few have heard of this device.
Moonshine still Kolonny Lux-5
2. Wein 6 Pro
One of the most successful distillation columns that can only be found on the Russian market. The device can be quickly set up for steam or liquid sampling, which allows a good extension of the distillation setting. Even in the standard factory configuration, through this model, you can get pure alcohol with a strength of 96.6 degrees. To fill two tsargs, you will need to additionally purchase SPN.
For an hour of work, you can get up to 12 liters of the finished product, the second distillation also has a quite decent speed — up to 2.2 liters per hour. If the moonshiner plans to work exclusively with grain mash, then the product can be configured specifically for distillation. In the kit you can find a special rack for coaling, which will allow for additional cleaning of moonshine. You can work on a gas stove, on an induction hob, or simply from the built-in heating element, which will need to be purchased separately.
Advantages:
- Increased performance indicators, including during double distillation;
- Even in the factory version, it allows you to get alcohol with a strength of up to 96.6 degrees at the output;
- Versatile selection for both steam and liquid.
Flaws:
- The faucet and the lid clamp are rather weak;
- The cost is quite high.
Moonshine still Wein 6 Pro
1.Optisam S3
The most, as they say, heaped up model that can only be found on sale. The product is equipped with a Wi-Fi unit, which helps to keep the temperature under complete control. The sensor system captures all the necessary indicators and sends the received data directly to a smartphone or tablet. If the temperature at least at one point exceeds the specified data, the user will immediately receive a corresponding notification.
Through the application, you can set a number of other indicators — the timer of work, the selection of the head exit, the body, the cutoff of the tail excess. Productivity is at a very high level — it reaches 15 liters per hour. When using the fractional distillation function, up to three liters of spirits can be obtained in the same time.
Advantages:
- Control over the operation of the device is carried out through a convenient mobile application;
- The manufacturer installed a double selection unit;
- Very high speed for a device designed for home use;
- In the factory configuration, two drawers are immediately installed.
Flaws:
- Except for the high cost is not found.
Moonshine still Optisam S3
In conclusion, a useful video
So our rating of the best moonshine stills has come to an end. We tried to tell as much as possible about all the main useful qualities of each of the devices presented in the review. If some data require clarification or if you have certain questions, then you can always speak in the comments to this article. Our editors will promptly respond to any question or comment.