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6 Best Moonshine Still for Beginners in 2023
Sep
Moonshine is clear grain alcohol typically made from corn, rye, or another cereal grain. It’s also known as white whiskey, hooch, moonshine, or mountain spirits.
This high-proof beverage has been made and enjoyed illicitly for centuries. These days, moonshine still kits are more accessible than ever, so you can make your moonshine at home!
Moonshine stills are easy to assemble and operate. They usually come with detailed instructions and all the accessories you need to start making your hooch.
Still, kits have many different components — condensing columns, pipes, heat source, pressure relief valve, and fermentation lock — but they all serve the same purpose: turning sugar into alcohol!
In this article:
- Our Picks for the Best Moonshine Still for Beginners
- How does a Moonshine Still Work?
- How to Clean Moonshine Still?
Our Picks for the Best Moonshine Still for Beginners
- Best Overall: VEVOR Alcohol Moonshine Still for Beginners 13.2 Gal/50 L
- Top Pick: WMN_TRULYSTEP MSC03 Copper Alcohol Moonshine Ethanol Still for Beginners 20 L
- Most Versatile: VEVOR 70 L/18.5 Gal Alcohol Distiller (Moonshine Still) for Whisky Brandy Wine
- Best Efficient Small Moonshine Still: Suteck Small Alcohol Still for Home DIY Wine Whisky Brandy Making 12 L
- Best Premium: YUEWO 3 Pots DIY Moonshine Still for Beginners, Home Brew Wine Making
- Most Affordable: YUEWO 2 Pots Stainless Steel Moonshine Still, Home Brew Kit
1. Best Overall: VEVOR Alcohol Moonshine Still for Beginners 13.2 Gal/50 L
Weight: 17.50 lbs (7.9kg)
Size: 17 x 17 x 17 inches
Rating: 4.4 out of 5.0
This Alcohol Still is a 13.2-gallon stainless steel water alcohol distiller manufactured by VEVOR, an award-winning manufacturer based in the United States. The distiller has been designed to be easy to use and maintain and comes with all the necessary parts needed to get it up and running.
It is ideal for anyone looking to distill their alcohol at home and those interested in learning more about how distilling works.
The moonshine still is made from food-grade 304 stainless steel, making it a durable and long-lasting product. In addition, the unit features a built-in thermometer that displays the temperature of the distilled water, making the monitoring process easy.
There is also a funnel for adding ingredients into the still, as well as a thermostat control that lets you adjust how hot the boiling point of your water will be during the distillation process. Finally, this model also comes with a cleaning kit for easy maintenance and cleaning of your unit after each use.
Efficiency
This kit for a distillery uses an open cooling system. Lower distillation temperatures are made possible by the copper coil’s quick heat conductivity and substantial surface area in contact with the coolant. To conserve cooling water, a circulating water pump is installed. In addition, the condenser’s rubber pad can act as insulation and hasten to cool.
To ensure a good seal, this copper moonshine still uses food-grade silicone tubing, which is flexible, robust, and difficult to bend. In addition, silicone gaskets and four buckles assist the lid in sealing tightly inside the lid. The package also includes a simple-to-use one-way exhaust valve that can be used during fermentation.
You can use this distiller to make all types of alcoholic drinks, including whiskey, vodka, and brandy. You need very little maintenance, and it is easy to use. The VEVOR Alcohol Still is perfect for anyone who wants to make their alcohol at home.
Pros
- Easy to operate
- It is very versatile
- It has a rapid cooling feature
Cons
- It may be relatively expensive.
2. Top Pick: WMN_TRULYSTEP MSC03 Copper Alcohol Moonshine Ethanol Still for Beginners 20 L
Weight: 8.68 lbs (3.9kg)
Size: 11.81 x 11.81 x 11.81 inches
Rating: 4.1 out of 5.0
This copper alcohol moonshine ethanol still is an excellent starter distiller for anyone thinking about getting into moonshine making. This 20-liter stainless steel can still make up to 25 liters of alcohol per day.
It’s very simple to set up and easy to use. The water connects directly to the top of the unit, so there are no temperature-control issues or other complications. The output is a clear spirit that runs at around 80% ABV. The spirits produced by this kit are very drinkable, and they’re perfect for beginners. Looking for a simple way to get started with moonshine making? This is the best option.
Efficiency
It is a high-quality copper alcohol moonshine still for distilling up to 20 liters of ethanol. It is created from food-grade stainless steel and is fully automated. As a result, it can produce excellent quality moonshine free from impurities when operating at high temperatures.
It is made of stainless steel and safe, non-toxic red copper. The parts are constructed of food-grade materials, and the fermenter has been carefully thickened. Also, there is no lead in any of the parts, which makes it very safe.
While the copper moonshine stills distill great-tasting spirits without chemicals or additives, this copper still can also be used to distill other liquids such as water. A perfect choice for home distilling enthusiasts looking to produce their moonshine, this still is a must-have for any moonshiner’s toolkit.
Pros
- It is versatile, hence allowing it for multipurpose usage.
- There is a 100% return guarantee.
Cons
- It can be relatively expensive.
3. Most Versatile: VEVOR 70 L/18.5 Gal Alcohol Distiller (Moonshine Still) for Whisky Brandy Wine
Weight: 26lbs (11.79kg)
Size: 20 x 20 x 20 inches
Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
This is another VEVOR on our pick. This moonshine kit is a quality alcohol still designed to extract the purest alcohol from fruit, vegetables, and grains. This distillate is then used to create a wide range of products such as wine, whiskey, brandy, and other alcoholic beverages.
The stainless steel design of this still provides durability and resistance against rust. In addition, the curved neck design allows for easy filling and emptying. The VEVOR 70L 18.5Gal Water Alcohol Distiller can also be combined with other accessories, such as the VEVOR 6L Distiller Kit (sold separately), for optimal efficiency.
Efficiency
This liquor still uses stainless steel coiled tubes with a rapid thermal conductivity that ensures promising cooling performance and a large contact area with the coolant, producing a relatively low temperature of distilled product. In addition, a second water circulation pump helps the condensing agent’s water flow move more quickly during the condensation process.
The stainless steel used in this liquor distiller is of the highest quality and is hygienic, and argon welding techniques are used. It has a sizable fermentation tank with a capacity of 70 Liters/18.5 US Gals and cutting-edge cooling systems for top performance in brewing and steaming alcohol. Due to its unique qualities and convenience, it is frequently used in residential and commercial settings.
It is made of 304 stainless steel, corrosion-resistant, and safe to use. The thermostat control makes it easy to maintain the right temperature during distillation. In addition, the thermometer helps you track the temperature of your alcohol distillation process. With this thermometer, you can ensure that your homemade liquor stays at the optimal boiling point for the best results.
Pros
- It has outstanding Impurity Filtration
- It also has a 1-year warranty and free customer service support.
- It is safe and easy to use.
Cons
- The power connectivity chord is only made for USA power outlets.
4. Best Efficient Small Moonshine Still: Suteck Small Alcohol Still for Home DIY Wine Whisky Brandy Making 12 L
Weight: 10.5 lbs (kg)
Size: 18 x 13 x 12.6 inches
Rating: 4.3 out of 5.0
This copper still is one of the best alcohol distillation kits you can buy. This home distilling kit will help you to make homemade whisky, wine, brandy, gin, rum, or vodka at home. You also get a thumper keg which can be used to carbonate your homemade spirits.
With this kit, you will get everything you need to distill any type of alcohol, including those that are difficult to distill, such as coffee, tea, cereal, and even water! The kit includes everything you need to distill: spirit boiler, copper tube, thermometer, thumper keg & lid, stainless steel pot stand & lid, and instructions.
Efficiency
The fermenting pot’s internal thermometer, which shows temperatures in Celsius and Fahrenheit, allows you to see them precisely while they are in operation. Also, to improve the seal and prevent steam leakage, the fermenter is surrounded by four stainless steel buckles and has a sealing ring inside.
Also, To improve the seal and prevent steam leakage, the fermenter has four stainless steel buckles and a sealing ring.
The copper cooling tube’s improved thermal conductivity and increased surface area in contact with the cold water, consequently speeding up wine production. Depending on your taste, you can mount the one-way air valve on the lid of the home distiller, which is also appropriate for home brewing, doing your work easy, and you can design it the way you want.
Pros
- The main advantage of this system is that it can produce a large amount of clear spirit at once.
- It is easy to use to store and transport. However, this system has several disadvantages as well. Nevertheless, this system is still attractive for people looking to make their spirits at home without investing in an expensive commercial distillation system.
Cons
- It requires a lot of space and can be difficult to set up and operate.
- It is expensive to maintain and build.
5. Best Premium: YUEWO 3 Pots DIY Moonshine Still for Beginners, Home Brew Wine Making
Weight: 12.35 lbs (5.6)
Size: 13.78 x 13.78 x 13.78 inches
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
The distilling device is used to distill water or any other liquid that can be boiled. It consists of three parts: the still, the Thumper, and the yeast bottle.
The still is where the heat source and the copper are placed to boil the water. The Thumper is used to pressurize the still so it can work properly. The yeast bottle is where yeast is added as well as sugar and water, so it will ferment, creating ethanol from the sugar.
Efficiency
The DIY 8-gallon/30-liter still copper water alcohol distiller is a new type of water distillation kit designed to be easy to build and use at home. The 8-gallon copper still kit is a great way to get started with distilling, and it can also be used to produce some delicious alcoholic beverages!
You can start making your alcohol by adding water, yeast, and sugar to the DIY 8-gallon/30-liter still copper water alcohol distiller, then letting it sit for a few days. Once you’ve let the yeast do its thing, you can strain out the yeast and add some more water.
You can then repeat the process until you’ve reached the desired strength of your drink, or you can save some of the liquid and store it in bottles or glass jars for future use. The DIY 8-gallon/30-liter still copper water alcohol distiller is very easy to build and use, and it allows anyone interested in home distilling to get started immediately.
Pros
- Easy to assemble
- It has a high adaptable rate
Cons
- Most times, it does not come with paper instructions.
6. Most Affordable: YUEWO 2 Pots Stainless Steel Moonshine Still, Home Brew Kit
Weight: 5.8 lbs (2.6kg)
Size: 9.84 x 9.84 x 7.09 inches
Rating: 4.0 out of 5.0
This is a multipurpose cheap distillery equipment. Hence, you can make ethanol, Whiskey, alcohol, and many more with this mini copper still. It is a fairly large still with four different types of capacity, including 10L/12L/20L/30L, that can handle various distillation needs by selectively boiling a large amount of raw material and then chilling it to condense the vapor.
This copper still is very safe and easy to use for both beginners and professionals. The structure and the material used in making this copper make it easy to handle and install.
Efficiency
Both the boiler and the bucket are made of stainless steel, which is completely non-toxic and food-grade. It is thickened in the fermenter. Hence, it is made with extremely high-quality materials, which will consequently yield high-quality results when you are making your moonshine.
This copper still contains a thermometer with both Celsius and Fahrenheit scales so the user can readily check the temperature while operating the distiller. There is also a free stainless steam plate and a free gauze bag to prevent burnout, with considerably superior distillation capabilities. When using the large pot as a fermenter pot, you can check the temperature with the free temperature tag on the fermenter, making it much easier and more efficient to use.
Pros
- Design that is friendly to beginners and experts.
- There are several uses for this device. Along with distilling beverages, it is also possible to distill water or steam.
- Use for several purposes
Cons
- No discounts from the manufacturer.
FAQs About Moonshine Still
1. How Does a Moonshine Still Work?
Firstly, extract the sugar from the corn or other plant source used to make the mash. After the sugar is extracted, it must be fermented so that it can convert into alcohol before it starts to spoil.
To fast-track this process, the fermented mash will be heated so that the enzymes can act more quickly and the temperature of the mash can increase. Once fermentation has been completed, the moonshine still will then condense the vapors into alcohol.
Related:
How Does a Moonshine Still Work
2. How to Clean a Moonshine Still?
Moonshine still can be a dirty job. The still itself is made of glass, metal, and plastic. It needs to be cleaned regularly to ensure it is working properly. Some methods involve pouring vinegar or lemon juice into the still to remove any rust and scale buildup.
Other methods include using kerosene or other solvents to make sure there is no sludge in the system. Checking the condenser and making sure it is working properly before distilling again is very imperative. It may need fixing if there are clogs in the system. Also, put in good ventilation when you are distilling, as the fumes can be toxic to your lungs.
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