How to wash a stainless steel moonshine still. Water distiller cleaning

A water distiller is an essential kitchen appliance, vital for those who are concerned about their health. It is not always possible to trust ordinary running water from the tap, especially when it smells bad or the color looks too suspicious, so water filtration is an important necessity. In addition, thanks to a water distiller, you can get rid of harmful impurities, and most importantly, you can be sure of what you drink. There is nothing difficult in cleaning it, and today we will show you this with an example.

Cleaning instructions:

1. First you need to add water to a level just above the pollution.

2. Then pour 4 tablespoons of citric acid into the distiller.

3. After that, the contamination should dissolve within 30 minutes.

4. At the end of this period, you need to wipe the walls and bottom of the distiller with a sponge to completely clean it from dirt.

5. Then rinse it thoroughly with plain water.

6. It now looks as clean as when it was purchased.

It is necessary to carry out such cleaning quite regularly, because only then can the quality of the filtered water be guaranteed. As you can see for yourself, there is nothing fancy about cleaning, which means that it is not so difficult to devote your time to it periodically. In addition, we we recommend that you watch our video, in case you still have any doubts or questions: water distiller | cleaning instructions.

Do you know the expression: “cleanliness is the guarantee of health”? The phrase may well be readdressed to all home distillate producers. The cleanliness of the apparatus is the safety and natural taste of the product. Today we will learn how to clean and maintain moonshine still made of different materials. The bell rang - we begin the lesson.

Why clean a moonshine still?

Equipment cleanliness is important not only for the correct aesthetics of the workplace. In the process of distillation, a plaque is deposited on the inner parts of the moonshine still, which contains fusel oils, heavy salts, ordinary dirt, and organic residues. They become excellent food for a wide variety of microorganisms and fungi.

So the equipment will have to be cleaned regularly if you want the best distillation result.

How often to clean the moonshine still

The frequency of cleaning depends on the material of manufacture and the frequency of use of the device.

Moonshine stills made of stainless steel are cleaned after 7–8 distillations. Through the indicated number of distillations, it is meant complete disassembly of all elements and their thorough cleaning, provided that these distillations took place daily. But the usual rinsing with water is required after each use. It is worth noting that if, during the distillation process, the mash boils up and there is a possibility that the mash got into the units of the moonshine or the device is not planned to be used for a long time, then you should not pull - thorough rinsing is necessary immediately after distillation.
Copper moonshine still needs more careful maintenance. Copper precipitates sulfur and some other elements well, so copper equipment is cleaned every 3-4 distillations.
If you use the equipment sporadically, you will need to clean it after each use.

Cleaning the stainless steel moonshine still

I have heard opinions that a stainless steel device with active use is enough to clean almost once a year. This is not true. Stainless steel interacts less with the contents of the apparatus than copper, but deposits form inside the equipment after several cycles of use. These are mainly organic residues of dried or burnt mash, an oil film.

To clean external surfaces, you can use a product from the arsenal of household chemicals. It should be designed for cleaning stainless steel surfaces. These products have a creamy or gel structure and do not contain acid, which leaves dark stains on stainless steel.
The inner space of the tank cleans well a mixture of salt and activated carbon in equal proportions.
You can use regular baking soda, dilute it with a few drops of water to create a paste. You need to rub the inner parts with it, let it stand for a few minutes, and then remove the residues and rinse with clean water. Baking soda is especially effective for removing oil marks and discoloration.
This soda paste can also be used to clean the outer surface of the tank; it perfectly wipes off even old streaks and stains.

A weak solution of citric acid cleans well the surface of the stainless steel apparatus. This will require 1 tablespoon of natural lemon juice and a glass of water. After use, rinse the mixture thoroughly with warm water.

I recommend finishing the cleaning of the stainless steel apparatus by wiping it dry, since water drops, after drying, form stains on the shiny surface. Use a soft, clean cloth for this.

Do not use hard brushes, metal scrapers and brushes, abrasive materials and products. They can damage the stainless steel surface of the apparatus. External scratches simply spoil the appearance, while internal damage causes the wort to burn and accelerate the formation of plaque.

Cleaning a copper moonshine still

You need to clean a copper moonshine still more often than its steel counterpart. On the inner parts of the copper equipment, not only mash particles settle, but also salts of heavy metals, sulfur oxide and other elements that copper "pulls" from the distillate.

If the unit is used occasionally, it should be cleaned every time after use. You can simply run a mixture of rye flour and water in a ratio of 1:20. That is, 1 liter of water will require 50 g of rye flour. The total amount of the mixture is half the capacity of the distillation cube. Before starting, make sure the coil and distillation tube are free, and after installing the helmet, tighten the connections. For this, use fum tape or a small amount of soft dough made from the same rye flour.
The outside of the unit can be cleaned with special copper cleaning agents. For example, GLASRENS cleaning agent.
If the dirt is not too strong, then warm water, a brush and regular soap are enough.
Heavy contamination is washed off with a citric acid solution. It is prepared from 2 teaspoons of acid and a glass of warm water. The mixture can be poured into a cube, the coil can be cleaned with it, as well as the outer surface of the apparatus. The solution is poured for 10 minutes, then drained and everything is washed with clean water.
Finish cleaning the unit by drying it with a dry cloth. Residual moisture is not beneficial to the metal.
In order for the copper apparatus to have a pleasant appearance, after cleaning, rub it with building chalk, dissolved in water, and wipe it dry. If you have used a special copper cleaner, there is no need for additional polishing.

Many old-school moonshine masters clean equipment with hot stillage, a thick waste after the end of distillation. All the details of the apparatus are immersed in it for 10–20 minutes, then they are washed, the vinasse is drained and the cube itself is washed.

There is a whole range of folk recipes for cleaning copper apparatus. They recommend using ketchup, Coca-Cola and even Sprite. I believe that the existing set of household chemicals, as well as salt, soda, activated carbon and warm water is enough to keep the equipment clean.

Features and rules for the operation of moonshine stills

Correct use of the moonshine still prolongs its life, ensures high quality distillate, and also preserves your personal safety. Here are some tips to help you operate and keep your machine in good working order.

When assembling the device for the first time, be sure to follow the instructions exactly.
Do not over-tighten the nuts. All parts of the apparatus heat up during operation, and when heated, materials expand. Therefore, tightening the nut too tight can damage the gasket or even the thread.
Install the steamer directly above the alembic so that the temperature does not drop in it. Otherwise, the condensation will start right in the steam chamber and some of the alcohol will settle in it.
Before the very first use, be sure to distill regular drinking water, which then drain. It cannot be reused!
Please be aware that the machine and the liquids in it can reach high temperatures. Therefore, after work, let the equipment cool down and only then start cleaning or washing.
The device should be completely disassembled only after complete cooling, so as not to damage the threaded connections. After all, you collected them and tightened them in a cold state.

Practice

Watch a video on how to get your copper distillation equipment back to its original shape.

Homework

Thoroughly clean your favorite machine and attach a photo of the result.

Today we have learned how to clean and care for moonshine stills made of various materials, and also learned the rules for operating the equipment.

Our lesson is over. Thank you for your attention and see you again in our "School of moonshine mastery".

Add hashtags to your homework #craft_school #cosmogon

The next most popular are moonshine stills made of aluminum. A 30-liter milk tank (flask) is used here as a distillation still. The rest of the parts here, as a rule, are also aluminum. Such devices are especially popular among those who cannot afford to pay 20-40 thousand rubles for a device. The cost of such homemade products comes out in the region of 2-3 thousand rubles. So, let's start the cleaning procedure.

First of all, after assembly, water must be distilled in the apparatus. Moreover, this must be done with all connected nodes: dry steam pipes and a coil. Perhaps, during the assembly process, process fluids remained on the wall, so there is no need to risk it. And this rule is valid for any moonshine still or a separate part of it. If you have just bought a new coil, then this procedure will definitely not hurt, no matter how the manufacturer assures that it cares about its customers.

Aluminum moonshine stills are cleaned in the following ways:

We mix baking soda and detergent for glass or porcelain. With the resulting composition, you need to rub the aluminum well, and then rinse it off under running water. In the process of friction, the dirt will be washed off, but you need not just apply the solution, but use it as a detergent composition - rub it well;
A mild baking soda solution is excellent for cleaning external surfaces. After the dirt is removed, be sure to rinse the device under cold running water;
The shine of the apparatus can be restored with any paste, which contains white clay.

The following are not suitable for cleaning a moonshine still made of aluminum:

Citric acid based solutions. Any acidic or alkaline solution will irreparably damage the aluminum;
Products based on abrasives. It is worth wiping one place several times and it will be clearly noticeable how the metal layer will simply disappear.

Cleaning a stainless steel moonshine still

Cleaning stainless steel differs from previous materials. First of all, this is a ban on the use of scrapers, brushes and metal sponges. This is due to the fact that this metal is very well polished and the use of metal tools will have consequences in the form of scratches. They are clearly visible on polished metal.

External surfaces can be cleaned very well with a citric acid solution. But you need to be very careful, because if you overexpose the solution on the metal, you can get a matte stain that will spoil the whole look of the device;
In order to wash the inner surfaces, you can prepare a solution of salt and activated carbon. They are mixed in a 1: 1 ratio. Coal has an excellent absorbent (absorbent) effect, and salt corrodes the bloom of fusel oils;
Another good exterior cleaner is toothpaste. We just put it on the brush and start cleaning. In the first run, you need to "stretch" the paste over the entire surface of the apparatus. After that, we begin to rub the stainless steel with a brush. This approach can significantly increase the cleaning efficiency, but if you have a large moonshine still, your hand will get tired of rubbing it.

Making moonshine and alcohol for personal use
absolutely legal!

After the end of the existence of the USSR, the new government stopped the fight against moonshine. Criminal liability and fines were abolished, and an article banning the production of alcohol-containing products at home was removed from the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation. To this day, there is not a single law prohibiting us from engaging in our favorite hobby - making alcohol at home. This is evidenced by the Federal Law of July 8, 1999 No. 143-FZ "On the administrative responsibility of legal entities (organizations) and individual entrepreneurs for offenses in the production and circulation of ethyl alcohol, alcoholic and alcohol-containing products" (Collected Legislation of the Russian Federation, 1999, No. 28 , art. 3476).

Excerpt from the Federal Law of the Russian Federation:

"This Federal Law does not apply to the activities of citizens (individuals) who are not producing products containing ethyl alcohol, not for the purpose of marketing."

Home brewing in other countries:

In Kazakhstan in accordance with the Code of the Republic of Kazakhstan On Administrative Offenses of January 30, 2001 N 155, the following liability is provided. So, according to article 335 "Manufacture and sale of home-made alcoholic beverages", the illegal manufacture for the sale of moonshine, chacha, mulberry vodka, home brew and other alcoholic beverages, as well as the sale of these alcoholic beverages, entails a fine in the amount of thirty monthly calculation indices with the confiscation of alcoholic beverages , devices, raw materials and equipment for their manufacture, as well as money and other valuables received from their sale. However, the law does not prohibit the preparation of alcohol for personal use.

In Ukraine and Belarus things are different. Articles No. 176 and No. 177 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of Ukraine provide for the imposition of fines in the amount of three to ten tax-free minimum wages for the manufacture and storage of moonshine without the purpose of sale, for storage without the purpose of selling devices * for its production.

Article 12.43 repeats this information practically word for word. "Making or purchasing strong alcoholic beverages (moonshine), semi-finished products for their production (mash), storage of devices for their manufacture" in the Code of the Republic of Belarus on Administrative Offenses. Clause No. 1 informs: "The production of strong alcoholic beverages (moonshine) by individuals, semi-finished products for their production (mash), as well as the storage of devices * used for their manufacture, - entail a warning or a fine of up to five basic units with the confiscation of the specified drinks, semi-finished products and apparatus ".

* It is still possible to purchase moonshine stills for home use, since their second purpose is to distill water and obtain components for natural cosmetics and perfumery.

Over time, especially with constant use, your moonshine or column may lose some of its presentation. In addition, internal contamination of the apparatus negatively affects the quality of the manufactured product. Therefore, the equipment for home brewing needs to be cleaned periodically. Each device usually comes with an instruction manual, which reflects the main aspects of device maintenance, but there are many tools that can help you return the equipment to its attractive appearance and perfect internal cleanliness.

Most often, questions about cleaning equipment arise from owners of copper alambiks, alkitar and other devices... We will answer them first of all.

In order for your copper apparatus to retain its unique qualities for many years, it is necessary to distill the water before the very first distillation. This will get rid of various impurities that may have remained from the production process.

If used infrequently, the device must be thoroughly cleaned before each storage. A mixture of pure water and rye flour is suitable for this (flour should be 5% of the amount of water). This mixture must be distilled in a proportion of 50% of the total capacity of the cube. Before distilling, it is important to ensure that the apparatus's swan neck and coil are not clogged. After installing the helmet of the machine, seal all joints using rye flour dough or fum tape.

With frequent use of alambic, alcitara or other copper device, such cleaning is not necessary, it is quite enough to periodically distill the water.

To clean the outside of the device, you can use traditional methods: steel wool, water and natural soap. After that, the surface can be treated with polishing pastes, for example, building chalk dissolved in clean water.

However, the most convenient for cleaning any copper equipment, as well as kitchen equipment, is the Glasrens special copper cleaner. It is suitable for all kinds of home brewing, fermentation, distillation equipment. Restores the brightness of copper products without the need for additional polishing and perfectly cleans containers without leaving streaks, without the risk of scratching the surface of the device. This tool is absolutely safe and very easy to use.

In addition to the above methods for cleaning copper brewing equipment, there are many traditional methods.

On the Internet, you may come across other methods of cleaning copper equipment for moonshine, but it is still better to use the proven tools described at the beginning of the manual.

Now let's turn to moonshine stills and rectification columns not made of copper. For these, there are both general cleaning recommendations and separate recipes for specific metals.

when using for the first time, thoroughly rinse the device with running water, or better, carry out a short-term distillation of water (5-10 minutes);
after each use, rinse the drawer, distillation cube and all components of the structure with running water, and then dry the apparatus.

At the same time, there are different cleaning methods for distillation stills made of different materials.

As a distillation cube for a moonshine still, stainless steel containers are most often used, such as barrels, cans or pressure cookers... It is the most durable and safe material with a long service life and is completely easy to maintain. Here are some tips for cleaning stainless steel appliances:

Clean the surface of the apparatus with a solution of lemon juice in a ratio of 1 tbsp. in a glass of water, paying particular attention to stubborn dirt. Then rinse with running water and wipe dry.
To cleanse the cube of burnt-on residues of mash, sprinkle the dirty parts of the container with salt or grated activated carbon and leave for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse with running water and rub with diluted lemon juice (see above).
You can wash the containers with water mixed with mustard powder and soda.
Also, stainless steel products can be wiped with vinegar, and then be sure to rinse them with water.

It is important to remember that for cleaning moonshine stills and rectification columns made of stainless steel, do not use metal brushes and washcloths or abrasive pastes, as they can scratch the product and spoil its appearance.

Cases of using aluminum flasks as a distillation cube are no less frequent. It is an inexpensive, fairly strong and lightweight metal, which at the same time has good thermal conductivity. However, it also needs periodic cleaning:

Aluminum containers cannot be cleaned with acid and alkaline compounds - the metal reacts with them. Best suited for these purposes are water with the addition of detergents for glass and porcelain dishes, soapy water, a solution of baking soda with the addition of ammonia. After cleaning with any of the listed products, it is necessary to rinse the vessel with running water.
It is not recommended to clean aluminum products with hard products, which include sand or emery powder, as well as metal scourers.
You can get rid of blackness on the surface of aluminum by wiping the darkened areas with diluted table vinegar or a 5-10% solution of baking soda, after which you must immediately rinse the dishes with water.
Polishing the metal with white clay pastes (for example, silica sol) applied to a leather pad will help to give the aluminum container a shine.

In addition to all the above methods, for cleaning distillers and distillation columns, it is necessary to periodically run water or alcohol on the apparatus, rinsing all parts of the apparatus.

Remember to clean your brewing equipment in time, and it will last you much longer, helping you to get a high quality natural product.