How to make a still

This contribution tells you how to distill liquids in your own kitchen.
Maybe for illegal liquor, maybe for purifying water.

! Drinking distilled alcohol may be harmful / fatal.
! Distilling alcohol may be illegal
! Drinking distilled water may be harmful / fatal

Step 1 Materials

I used:
A pressure-cooker
8mm OD copper tubing
A plastic bucket.

Comments

[warren_adams]

The pressure-cooker, isn't that made of stainless steel or aluminum? I have read a few things about it's effect, I mean using this kind of metal distiller in the spirit taste as against using a copper still. I broke my whiskey still so I thought I might as well come up with an improvised distiller. I've made a couple of run with my old still using a recipe from this site: http://www.whiskeystill.net/pages/how-to-make-moonshine, it was excellent. I'm all new to this hobby but the recipe really worked well for me. I'm just not sure how it will turn out if I prepare it with a homemade distiller.

[lemonie]

It's Al, but it's not a sophisticated still.
Post your still if we can learn something / like it?

L

['yusrianto]

hi lemonie .. this is one Great instructions..
umm..just a question about the picture of your stove, what was that chili sauce pan doing up there again? i din quite get it thx

[lemonie]

The chili sauce pan was just there, it's not important.

L

[jmellott]

I just recently found this instructable, great job by the way, and i was curious how much tubing you needed, unfortunately that stuffs not cheap

[lemonie]

"A pack" - I didn't find anyone selling tube to length, it was £20-25 but I probably only used a third of it.

L

[yanik12]

Can anyone who has a decent knowledge of home brewing spirits inbox me, i have a few questions. Thanks

[~KGB~]

Do you actually have to use malt or is it ok just to use: yeast, corn meal, water and sugar? Also, how much of each component would you need for about a 1Ltr kettel? Thanks...

[lemonie]

I do not mention malt, and this is about a still not fermentation.

L

[~KGB~]

Oh ok, i read that you need all of the above components to make it, but you could do it without the malt...

[chano91]

hey,just wanted to know what is that cork looking thing on the pressure cooker itself connected to the copper and is there a possible way i could install a thermometer? btw great job!

[littledemon]

hi newbee here has any one used a demi jon instead of the pressure cooker ta

[lemonie]

You would need to heat it in oil, and you should reasonably expect the thing to break through thermal-shock - don't try with glass.

L

[rosendomuyo]

For a pressure cooker still how much Water Cornmeal Sugar Yeast and Malt do i need to make this.

[lemonie]

I haven't brewed with those, so I don't know.

L

[rosendomuyo]

so what do i brewed in this one ?

[lemonie]

It's a still, not a brewing-kit.

L

[rosendomuyo]

sorry i did not say it right i need to make about 190 proof alcohol or higher for my car so i need to know the recipe for a pressure cooker still thank you.

[lemonie]

You would need a different still and a drying process. Look at bio-diesel / vegetable-oil instead.

L

[rosendomuyo]

i look at bio-diesel can not do it and i have not look in to vegetable-oil but to make a car run on alcohol is just about 300 dollars to do.

[Draasch]

Hello. I need some help!! My father built a still when I was little and it amazed me. He is elderly and cant remember how he constructed it. Can anyone tell me the steps I need to take to have my own?

[lemonie]

Did you read what is on this page?

L

[Draasch]

Still reading! WOW this is great!!!!

[pegasus917]

Oh just a note though. It will taste real sweet and peachy when first done then as it ages it gets more refined.

[pegasus917]

If it calls for 3# then its 3 pounds of that ingredient.

[pegasus917]

Stevegrimmer- here is a site with a recipe for some great brandy that doesn't need any special equipment and no distilling required http://brewery.org/brewery/cm3/recs/12_51.html
I have been making it for years and years with peaches and it is always a big hit. Potent too. My family and friends just love it.

[stevegrimmer]

hi pal what douse # Qt and 112f mean please

[pegasus917]

Pound sign (#) and 112 degrees Fahrenheit

[stevegrimmer]

thanks pal im off out to get ingredients now. let you know how it turns out.

[Dorsel]

Hi, I would like to build a column still and have done some research but have some questions. Some columns are short and some very tall. (5ft or so) Dose anyone know why and what’s better? Also should I put the thermometer close too the boiling mash or at the top of the column just before the condenser? Thanks for the help.

[lemonie]

Longer columns (that are otherwise identical) have more "effective plates" so they work better for your output %.
The thermometer should be right at the top of the column to give you the boiling point of what you're actually collecting out of the condenser.

L

[stevegrimmer]

hi lemonie
im just trying your pressure cooker still out. can you give me a recipe for brandy. i saw them making moonshine brandy on telly [moonshiners] but i dont know recipe or how much to put in. thanks pal for your time,

[lemonie]

If it's rough-brandy you distill wine, simple as that. Oh and then add a bit of caramel to make it brown and slightly-sweeter.

L

[stevegrimmer]

thanks pal. on telly they used fruit ie bananas. you know anything about that.

[lemonie]

You don't get Brandy from bananas.

L

[tboy1972]

Hello I am wanting to kake a couple 400 gallon pots to cook my mash in what is the cheapest and simplest way i should go about doing this? Thanks Tobester

[lemonie]

400 Gal?
I do not know, that's "industrial"

L

[wiseolemule]

Do any of you out there know of a distilling process that will turn a plant product, say Hemp Budd's in to a medicinal oil?

[lx2036]

You're looking for an essential oil distiller. Basically a still with a longer column where steam is used to "strip" the oils out of the hemp (or whatever) held in the column itself. The key word you're looking for is "Sieve Tray Still." Google it, and if you don't turn up anything, try "essential oil distilling." I know Whiskey Still sells the smaller ones for a decent price, but if you can make your own, that'd be best and would help you learn the process better.

[lemonie]

Dry your hemp-buds, simmer in butter or oil and water, until the water has boiled-off. It's a bit of a steam-extraction. Sieve it, maybe using an old shirt so you can give it a good squeeze
If it's butter make cakes, otherwise do what you wish with your oil.

L