Moonshine Still Reviews Archives

To master the science and art of making moonshine, it's important you have a good quality moonshine still, or liquor still as some call it. Finding the still that fits your needs is a lot different than knowing you need one. It can be challenging. You may not know what size you need or what type will match your distilling needs.While it might seem like a lot of work, it doesn't have to be complicated to begin this very rewarding hobby. We have compiled a list of the best moonshine stills of 2018 to help make the process of finding your still easier.Check out one of our Facebook member's reviews of the T-500 here!Best Moonshine Stills Reviewed Here:1.Pure Copper Alembic Still for whiskey, moonshine, essential2. Bottega del Rame Copper Alembic Still3. Moonshine Distiller's Mini Moonshine Still4. Gallon Copper Moonshine Still Kit from Clawhammer Supply5. Alchemade 5 Gallon Copper Alembic Still6.VEVOR Alcohol Still, 13.2Gal / 50L Stainless Steel Water Alcohol Distiller Copper Tube Home Brewing7. Spirits T-500 Boiler and Condenser SystemWhat is a Moonshine Still and Why Should I Buy One?A still is a device that uses heat to collect the liquor made through the fermentation of a moonshine mash. A mash is a combination of water, grains, or sugar, and yeast. The still separates the ethanol, the type of liquor you're after, from the mash because it boils at a lower temperature than the water.After boiling, the ethanol becomes vapor and then turns into liquid again and drips into whatever container you're collecting it in. The still doesn't make the liquor, but it separates it from the water and impurities in the mash wash.A moonshine still is usually made from steel or copper, and they can come in a lot of different sizes. Even if alcoholic drinks are legal and you can just drive down to your nearest beverage store for a jug of liquor alcohol, making booze at home is still a super fun and easy, which is exactly what Tabletop Moonshine Stills with their DIY spirits copper still or Stainless Steel for best Moonshine Still.How to Make Moonshine | The Still FundamentalsWhat Are the Types of Moonshine Stills?There are three (general) types of moonshine stills, and each has their own benefits. The type that's best for you will depend on how much room you have, what type of flavor you want, and the amount of purity you desire.Pot StillOne of the most recognizable and traditional stills is the Pot Still, and it's the simplest design.A Pot Still has a large pot, or boiler, to heat the mash water, a tube to transport the vapor, and a condenser to turn it back into a liquid.This type of still captures the natural flavors of the mash, and it's usually 40% to 60% in purity. The purity can be increased if it's ran through the still again, but it'll lose flavor. Sometimes instead, Pot still users will run the vapors through a thump keg to further reduce impurities.Reflux StillA Reflux Still has similar parts to a Pot Still? a place to heat the mash, a tube, and a coil? but it works a little differently. A Reflux Still has a long column filled with packing. The packing is usually a metal material, like stainless steel or marbles.When distilling, some of the vapor from the wash will trickle back down through the packing. This column and packing leads to a more purified product, which increases the liquor content. This stronger drink has little to no taste, and it'll basically be like you ran it through a Pot Still several times.Fractioning / Hybrid StillThe third type of still is the Fractionating Still or a Hybrid Still. It's the same concept as the Reflux Still, but it has a much taller column with packing, around two to four feet. This additional packing condenses 90% of the liquor vapor and sends it back down the column. It leads to a liquor with 95% purity with no flavor.This is the purest liquor you can get from a still without using a vacuum. The still also allows the moonshiner to make very precise cuts between the various stages of distillation? the foreshots, heads, hearts, and tails.Whats the best Moonshine Still for me?Choosing a moonshine still comes down to what features are most important to you. Everyone has different needs and preferences, but we've outlined the largest factors of still ownership below to help you out!Still Materials & ConstructionChoosing a moonshine still comes down to what features are most important to you. One of the most important things to think about when choosing your still is what was used in its construction. Lead soldering should be avoided because it can lead to lead poisoning. You'll also want to make sure the metal is rust resistant and thick enough to stand up to years of use.Generally, there's big debate over whether the still should be copper or if stainless steel is okay. A stainless steel still will work just fine for making moonshine. It won't be as 'traditional' and it has been shown that copper naturally helps filter a small amount of impurities out, it's not critical. If you make your cuts and keep things sanitary, you can produce just as good a shine with stainless steel. Stainless steel stills are generally cheaper for the given size as well.Your End ProductThe type of taste you want is another consideration. A Pot Still is also a good choice if you're looking for moonshine that'll taste like the mash you use. If you're looking for a still that will make flavorless liquor that's great for mixing, a Reflux or Fractionating Still might be better.SimplicityA difficult setup with a lot of construction or soldering may not be your style, or maybe you're into the idea of building your still.You also might want to consider the way you'll have to clean your setup. A still with a bigger head will be easier to clean because you'll be able to reach your arm into the pot, but you might have to be more creative in cleaning your still if it has a small opening.Consider Your SurroundingsSomething else you'll need to consider is the location of your still and its visibility. If you want to make moonshine in a small space, this will affect the type of still you should get.Making moonshine may be illegal where you live, so it may be beneficial to choose a still you can easily conceal. A still with a smaller capacity that can be used indoors or one that you can disassemble quickly might be better if you?re worried about its visibility.The Best Moonshine Stills of 20191. 5 Litres Pure Copper Alembic Still for whiskey, moonshine, essential oils by CopperholicIf you?re looking for a traditional copper still and got some space, this 20 gallon still may be for you. Like all of the stills on this list, it can be used for liquor, essential oils, and water purification.The still is made of 22 gauge copper so it should hold up to the test of time. The still comes already soldered, and you?ll only need to screw the pieces together to assemble it. However, it has everything you need for the still itself, and it?s most likely one of the easier still kits to construct.While the copper color looks nice, it does come out of the box with a greenish hue from the manufacture testing it. It?ll probably need a good scrub down to make it shine. If you want an easy way to drain water from the pot, you?ll need to add a drainage hole.The included thumper keg is a nice touch. This keg will give you a cleaner tasting drink, and it?ll make it easier to add flavors to the liquor. This high-quality craftmanship isn?t cheap though as it?s the most expensive on our list.They also make this still in a 5 Gallon size and a few others if 20 Gallon is a bit too large for your preference!ProsDurable materialsEasy assemblyThumper keg includedConsGreenish hue out of the boxNo easy water drainage2. Bottega del Rame Copper Alembic 3 Qt StillIf you like the look of the Distillery Network 6 Gallon Moonshine Still but want a budget friendly alternative, this still might be for you. This copper alembic still is a true work of art. Entirely hand-made, painstakingly hammered to shape in Italy and tinned by a professional coppersmith. This is the most beautiful still in the list here by a good long shot. The still arrives fully assembled and polished. All you will need is to place the components together once you have your mash ready to go. However, we do recommend you install a thermostat into the still's onion head. If you wish, you could also install one into the pot to keep an eye on the mash temperature during distillation as well.The manufacturer recommends using a canned gel heat source likely due to the relatively small space below the pot chamber. It's worth a shot, but you may find this takes a long time to bring the mash up to temp. No doubt you could rig up an electric heat source made for moonshine stills to this though.ProsHigh quality craftsmanshipBeautiful polished finishFull copper constructionConsMay need to rig a heat source No included thermostatRelatively expensiveOnly available in 3-Qt size3. Moonshine Distiller's 8 Gal Mini Moonshine StillIf you?re looking for a cheap moonshine still still that you can easily use indoors, Vevor?s Mini Moonshine Still might be one to consider. It?s small at only 14 inches, and it?s tank can even be used to ferment the mash beforehand.Moonshine Distiller makes some fantastic quality moonshine stills; 304 grade stainless steel, quality clamps, and well-brazed copper connections that won't fail or leak. This one is a nice compact version. The built in thermometer will allow you to easily check and maintain the temperature of your vapor. Some may think this moonshine still is expensive for being made of stainless steel. Once you open up that package and see the attention to detail and craftsmanship, it will all make sense. Also, a great feature of this still is how the builder used copper for all the components that contact the vapor. This aids in heat transfer and helps reduce impurities. A fantastic choice.ProsStainless Pot is durableCopper column allows for higher proofIntegrated thermometer!ConsCannot change column angleSome prefer full copper construction4. 5 Gallon Copper Moonshine Still Kit from Clawhammer SupplyIf you?re looking for purity at a value, this Reflux Still may be what you want. It has decent output at one to two gallons per run, so you?ll be able to make larger batches. The tall column will make for purer and more potent liquor, but it?ll be more difficult to conceal.The still doesn?t come assembled, so some tools are required, and the pieces must be soldered. However, it includes all parts needed for construction of the still, and the manufacturer includes numerous step-by-step videos for construction.This DIY copper still would be great for a handy craftsman looking for a challenge that keeps on rewarding! ProsHigh output per run with high purityDetailed instructions and videosAll construction parts includedConsDifficult to concealSoldering required5. Alchemade 5 Gallon Copper Alembic StillIf you're after that Appalachian Still look, this copper still may be what you're looking for. Its hammered appearance looks great, but there's a chance it'll need a good cleaning before use as it has a green discharge reported from buyers during first use.It has a built-in thermostat, which will make checking the temperature of your mash easier. Its small enough to be used on the stove-top or another small heating element.The quality could be better though, as some have reported the soldering can be spotty in some areas causing a leak. If you're attempting to make large quantities of liquor, you may need to check the condenser and bucket often as they are too small for the size of the pot. It may be better to switch the condenser and bucket for larger ones.ProsLooks greatBuilt-in thermostatSmall for home useConsInitial Green dischargeMay leak due to solderingSmall condenser and bucket6. SEVOR Alcohol Still, 13.2Gal / 50L Stainless Steel Water Alcohol Distiller Copper Tube Home BrewingThis small still is the tiniest on our list, so it?s a great option for those who need a stovetop still or one for other limited spaces. Everything is included, and its setup is simple.Clean it, connect the tubes, add your mash, and you?re good to go. If you?re a budget conscious moonshiner, this may be what you?re looking for because it?s the most cost effective on our list. The time to break down the setup is also the shortest on our list, and, if you want to keep it out of storage, it?ll look great on display.However, it has a sloppy cooling system, which may not cool the vapor effectively. Also, the quality of the material could be better. The stainless steel isn?t rust resistant, and the soldering on the condenser may not be thick enough which will increase the possibility of leaks as we've seen. It would be a cheap starting-off point if you're handy enough to improve the few flaws it may develop.ProsSmallBudget friendlySimple assemblyConsSloppy cooling systemMay rustPoor soldering in pot7. Spirits T-500 Boiler and Condenser SystemIf you want a still that'll make flavorless liquor with a kick, this Fractionating Still may be what you're looking for. The stainless steel still is high quality and rust resistant, which means you won't have to worry about that nasty metallic taste in your liquor.Setup is as quick and simple as a smaller still, and it has a handy spout that can be used to remove excess water from the pot.However, it's extremely tall, so you could run into problems if you want to keep it out of sight. This height will pay off though, as the tall column gives the still the ability to produce 190 proof liquor in one run. This quality comes at a steep price, but we think it's worth it.ProsEasy to remove excess waterSet up is simpleOne run produces 190 proofHigh quality stainless steelConsNot the easiest to concealPricey - about $420 as of 12/24/2019The WinnerSpirits T-500 Boiler and Condenser SystemWhile all the stills on our list are great, our choice for the best still of 2018 is the Spirits? T-500 Boiler and Condenser System Fractionating Still.It?s pricey, but this is our favorite because of its convenient setup and build quality. It?s stainless steel pot and column won?t rust or leak like the Seeutek?s 2 Gallon Copper Tube Moonshine Still, but its setup is just as simple.Its output is quick, and the liquor it produces is pure, which will help you decrease your time spent producing. It also looks just as good as the traditional looking copper stills like the Alchemade 5 Gallon Copper Alembic Still.It?s great if you?re wanting to produce liquor that can be mixed, and it?s extremely simple to separate the various stages of liquor production. We believe this Fractionating Still would be great for a beginning moonshiner or a seasoned producer.Check out one of our Facebook member's review of the T-500 here!YouTube Video On Tabletop Moonshine StillPinterest Pin on How To Make Moonshine: The Complete Guide | MoonshineRecipe.orgPinterest Pin on How to Make a Still: 12 Best Moonshine Still PlansShare this article with your friends!It has: Weight: 11 pounds. Capacity: 1 gallon. Total Dimensions: 16.0? x 11.5? x 11.0? - OUR PINTEREST ACCOUNTThis new moonshine still unit is added as we keep researching for new moonshine stills in the market. The distillation process will take two hours and produces enough alcohol to make a one-quart bottle. This is the easiest way to make moonshine still and this is main reason we added this SAFE AND EASY TO USE Turbo Air Still.This looks more like a kitchen Tea kettle than a small moonshine still, this smart appliance has not any complicated assembly we are aware of, hoses and water-cooling setup is very straight forward. Just plug it in and start the distillery process!Want to know more About Moonshine Stills?