A coil is an essential part of a moonshine still, designed to condense alcohol vapor by removing heat with water or air through the walls. Despite the complex definition, anyone can make a coil at home. The homemade version will work no worse than store-bought counterparts. We will look at the theory and practice of manufacturing.
Coil parameters:
1. Material. The most important factor influencing the safety and taste of moonshine. The coil material must not react with alcohol or be toxic, but still have sufficient thermal conductivity to allow alcohol vapor to condense.
Taking into account the requirements, you can make a coil from copper, aluminum or stainless steel. Glass is also a suitable material, although it is easier to buy a ready-made glass coil at a chemical store than to make something similar yourself.
Copper has the best thermal conductivity, but many moonshiners consider it a toxic material; in fact, this is not the case. For example, for several centuries the French have been distilling all strong alcohol in alambiks - special copper distillers, and so far no one has been poisoned. Aluminum is in second place in terms of thermal conductivity (1.6 times worse than copper), but it is relatively cheap, accessible and easy to process. Stainless steel coils are 3-4 times inferior to copper ones; moreover, the exact brand of stainless steel is not always known, and only food-grade ones are suitable for home brewing, which can withstand high temperatures and do not react with alcohol.
Copper coils are the most efficient 2. Dimensions. The longer the tube, the larger the area of contact between vapor and water (better cooling), but at the same time the hydraulic resistance increases (the distillation speed decreases). The correct length of the coil in a moonshine still (the tube itself before curling) is 1.5-2 meters.
The larger the cross-section (inner diameter) of the tube, the larger the contact area and the lower the resistance. I recommend using a tube with an internal diameter of 8-12 mm.
The small thickness of the coil wall increases thermal conductivity, improving condensation, but tubes that are too thin are difficult to process and operate because they are very fragile. In addition, when two media come into contact, in our case condensed alcohol and steam, the thermal conductivity drops sharply, regardless of the size and material of the wall. The optimal thickness of the coil tube is 0.9-1.1 mm.
3. Orientation in space. The coil can be positioned vertically, horizontally or obliquely. In moonshine brewing, it is desirable to use a vertical connection scheme, in which the condensed distillate flows by gravity and does not create additional obstacles to the movement of steam.
Vertical coils can be ascending (steam goes from bottom to top) or descending (from top to bottom). For minimal resistance, steam should be supplied from above.
4. Cooling system. The coils are cooled with water, ice and air. The last two options are less effective and require complex structures, so we will not consider them further. Water cooling systems can be open - they work on running water, and closed - the tank is immediately filled with the required amount of water. The design of closed systems is simpler, but they cool worse; the moonshine often comes out warm, and after a couple of hours of distillation, even hot.
In open systems, water circulation cools the coil much better, and the moonshine turns out cold. In addition, flow-through designs use a smaller volume water tank, resulting in a more compact device.
It is correct to supply water from below and remove it from above. For normal cooling, the water must move towards the moonshine, otherwise the lower part of the coil will not cool well. This scheme is called "counterflow mode".
Coil manufacturing technology
You will need a copper, aluminum, brass or stainless steel tube 1.5-2 meters long, with a cross-section of 8-12 mm and a wall thickness of 0.9-1.1 mm. I advise you to find a housing (reservoir) in advance to install the coil. The coiling diameter of the pipe depends on the size of the housing. For example, a plastic sewer pipe with a diameter of 75-80 mm is suitable. For effective cooling, the coil must occupy at least 15-20% of the tank volume.
The coil installed in the housing is called the refrigerator of the moonshine still, the drawing is shown in the photo. 
Subsequence:
1. Fill the tube tightly with dry bulk material, for example, river sand or soda, so that the metal does not flatten when curling. As a last resort, you can fill the tube with water and freeze it.
2. Place wooden choppers (pegs) on the ends of the tube. An alternative is to solder or clamp tightly. It is advisable to weld a nut on one end.
3. Wind the tube onto any smooth object with an even circular cross-section of the required diameter (in the example, 35 mm) with a pitch between turns of 12 mm.
4. Release the ends of the coil, pour out sand, and rinse with running water.
5. Install pipes for water supply and drainage on the cooler body.
6. Place the coil in the housing, install plugs at the top and bottom, and seal all connections with superglue or another method.
Finished metal refrigerator Do you know how they connect to each other? Many moonshiners do not think about the quality of connecting elements. And they also affect the quality of the resulting product. If you want high-quality moonshine, we advise you to follow experienced moonshiners and use only silicone hoses for the moonshine still, and not the like made of PVC or rubber. How will be correct
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Necessary accessories
Special elastic tubes are used to connect the parts of the moonshine still. Their type, material of manufacture, quality affect the resulting product. Moonshine professionals recommend using silicone hoses, which have advantages over rubber and polyethylene:
- environmentally friendly, soft, plastic material is used in the manufacture of adapters;
- there is no specific odor when using them;
- the products do not contain toxic substances and are safe to install and use;
- have high strength;
- do not cause increased skin irritation or an allergic reaction in humans;
- retain their inherent qualities, safety of use at temperatures below 50, above 300 degrees Celsius;
- do not enter into the processes of converting the original organic, artificial compounds that make up the mash into others, allowing you to preserve the sensations of the tongue receptors, airborne odorous substances, and the organs of vision of the resulting moonshine;
- have a long service life, the possibility of repeated use;
- resist ultraviolet and ionizing radiation,
The silicone hose guarantees a tight connection between the parts of the moonshine still, fits the pipe, and does not lose its tightness when the internal temperature of the unit structures changes.
Features of the use of silicone hoses
Flexible connecting tubes made of silicone counteract aggressive chemical compounds present in the wort, alcohol vapor, and the final distillation product. The structure of the material actively resists mechanical changes in the surface (squeezing, bending). Hoses do not serve as a point of origin colonies of single-celled microscopic pathogenic organisms. There is no toxic effect on the human body or the surrounding atmosphere of chemically hazardous elements. The use of silicone hoses for moonshine stills guarantees the quality of the resulting product because silicone prevents the penetration of chemicals into it.
Having a low bonding ability with other materials, they do not allow particles of distilled components to settle or accumulate on the internal surfaces of connecting hoses. This negative ability is inherent in metal polyvinyl chloride adapters, which reduces the speed of liquid movement in the apparatus and the quality of the resulting homemade strong alcoholic drink.
The anti-adhesion property of the hose material facilitates the process of maintaining the moonshine still. The elasticity of silicone makes it possible to attach hoses to metal elements without compromising the capacity of the tubes. The shape of the hoses does not change under mechanical loads or deformation.
Hose diameter for moonshine still
Domestic and foreign products are produced in accordance with the interests of the market and a wide number of consumers. Depending on the design of the moonshine still used, it is possible to purchase hoses of the required size, internal cross-section, and thickness. The price is high compared to PVC and rubber, but the technical and operational capabilities of silicone hoses and the duration of use justify it.
The cross-sections of tubes used in food production and medical devices range up to 50 mm. Practice has shown that hoses of 0.5, 0.6, 0.8 cm with a wall thickness of one and a half to two millimeters have proven to be the most convenient in the design of moonshine stills.
When using, it is necessary to take into account the diameter of the spiral tube through which alcohol vapor, fusel oils and water move - all components of the mash, which undergoes the procedure of evaporation of the liquid, followed by cooling and condensation of the vapor.
How to choose a silicone hose
When purchasing a silicone tube to connect the components of a moonshine still, you need to make sure that it is actually made of silicone. The indicator is elasticity, flexibility, and the possibility of trouble-free operation at high temperatures. The main visible criterion is the high price, twice that of PVC products.
It can be checked by setting the end of the adapter tube on fire with a match or lighter. The absence of combustion and unpleasant odor indicates the authenticity of the product made of silicone. The guarantee is the purchase of components for a moonshine still (special elements of a special design that require pipes to be secured, technical gaskets that prevent leakage and retain liquid) in specialized retail outlets of medical equipment and laboratory equipment. The quality of the products depends on the manufacturer, who tries to comply with standards when producing silicone products.
Rules for using silicone tubes
The property of silicone compounds not to absorb foreign odors, the lack of ability to bond with other materials allows them to be used repeatedly. To maintain the flexible connection in working condition, it is necessary to regularly clean the inner surface of the tubes for preventive purposes. To remove the formed suspensions, it is enough to rinse the holes with running water, use high-quality household detergents, and clean the walls with a special brush.
The difficulty is in disconnecting silicate hoses from the metal surfaces of fittings and pipes. Over a long period of operation of the moonshine still, silicone hoses can become tightly stuck, which will require careful disconnection of the adapter tube.
Over a certain period of use, silicone hoses exhaust their working life, which can be determined by clouding of the surface, loss of flexibility, and color change. In such cases, the hoses of the moonshine still cannot be cleaned and are replaced with new ones.
A high-quality product and the duration of trouble-free use of a moonshine still depend on the composition of the design features of the still, the wort, the technical condition of the silicone connecting hoses, and their ability to prevent leakage of the distilled product.
In large stores and supermarkets you are unlikely to be deceived. Moreover, they have certificates for the products. However, unscrupulous sellers in markets often pass off PVC pipes as silicone, since it is impossible to distinguish them by eye. Therefore, it is important to know how to choose the right hose.
Peculiarities. There is a little secret that will help you accurately determine what material the hose is made of.
Ask the seller to cut a small piece of the hose you need and use a lighter to light it. PVC hose burns with black smoke, leaving black charring and ash. Silicone burns without soot, the ash and charring are pure white.
And in this way you will be able to determine what material is in front of you only at home, after you have already made a purchase. Put the hose (gasket) in the freezer overnight/day and then take a look. Silicone will remain elastic even at temperatures below 20-28°C, while PVC will harden.
How to choose a silicone tube?
The techniques for determining the material are clear, but the question of how to determine the quality of a silicone tube remains open. Therefore, do not take their word for it, ask to see a certificate confirming quality.
And this is often possible only in supermarkets. The online store is also obliged to send you a document along with the hose confirming its food approval. But this point should be specified when ordering.
Installation on the device
Installing a hose on a moonshine still if there are pipes is a simple matter. When ordering/purchasing, keep in mind that you may not find an exact match to the size of the fitting, but tolerances are always indicated, for example: 8/12 mm, etc. That is, such a hose will stretch onto a fitting with an external cross-section of both 8 and 12 mm. Although, naturally, it is better to take one as close as possible to the size of the pipe.
For better fastening, you can additionally secure the silicone tube to the fitting.
Advice. When using nylon mounting ties, it becomes difficult to disconnect the tubes, because cutting the clamp can damage the tube.
But this problem can be solved. To loosen the tie, you need to press (for example, with a screwdriver) the burrs on the tie at the place of the connecting fastening, while simultaneously loosening the tension.
Make sure that the silicone is not in close proximity to the fire, it can ignite, and coupled with the flammability of alcohol, a fire is not far away!
Don't be surprised if some difficulties arise when removing the tube; silicone has the property stick to» to the pipes. But after “loosening” it will come off.
Did you find the information useful? Are you ready to use silicone hoses? Tell us in the comments and like.
The design of the distiller requires the presence of a number of compounds. For tightness, silicone hoses for moonshine stills are often used - they are characterized by their low cost, which does not compromise reliability. In addition to this solution, copper or stainless steel tubes are also used, but they require welding or soldering, which is sometimes difficult to implement, especially in simple home devices.
1
On sale you can find 2 types of connecting hoses made of polymer material. In addition to high-quality silicone tubes, the assortment of construction stores offers their analogues made of polyvinyl chloride. They practically do not differ in appearance, but in conditions of elevated temperature they behave very unpredictably: they change shape, begin to stretch, sag and release harmful substances that affect the taste and smell of moonshine.
Silicone tubes for moonshine still
How can you distinguish food grade silicone hoses from technical PVC pipes? There are several simple methods that will help you deal with the issue directly during the purchase. Firstly, silicone is a softer material; it is highly elastic and pliable. It is easily compressed in the hands, and after the cessation of exposure it returns to its original shape. Secondly, if you are in a store or market, ask the seller to cut a small piece of the hose and light it with a match or lighter. Silicone practically does not support combustion, and after prolonged heating a dense white crust forms on it. Polyvinyl chloride burns very well, while emitting copious black soot and an unpleasant smell of burnt rubber.
When choosing silicone tubes for a moonshine still, you should not 100% trust the opinion of sellers, because often they themselves do not know the differences between this material and PVC and can unknowingly mislead you. You only need to focus on the listed signs and the cost of the hose - the price of silicone is about 2 times higher.
2
To avoid unnecessary losses of valuable product and ensure complete sealing of the moonshine still, you need to securely fasten the silicone tubes at the joints. To do this, it is very convenient to use a plumbing squeegee, the diameter of which coincides with the internal size of the hose. A small hole is drilled in the lid of the distillation cube into which the squeegee is installed, after which it is tightened from the inside with a nut. For reliability, it is recommended to use a rubber gasket or silicone sealant at the joints.
Fastening silicone tubes at joints
Hoses for the distiller will stay on the drain more securely if they are additionally secured with small metal clamps. The fact is that when heated, the tube expands slightly, and this can contribute to depressurization of the system.
The use of high-quality connecting elements in the distiller is the key to the high quality of the final product, the absence of foreign smell and taste.
Attaching silicone hoses for a moonshine device is very simple, and if necessary, they can be easily replaced with new ones, which cannot be said about their steel or copper counterparts. In addition, tubes made of polymer materials take up much less space during storage or transportation. The physical properties of food-grade silicone ensure its reliability: they do not interact with alcohol and are slightly susceptible to the operating temperature of a moonshine still.
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