The Best Moonshine Still for Beginners: A Home Distiller's Guide

The art of making moonshine dates back centuries, a practice steeped in cultural significance. While once an underground pursuit, today’s enthusiasts celebrate it openly.

Moonshine, a term echoing through history, encapsulates an artistry and cultural richness few other spirits can claim. While once an underground pursuit, today it thrives openly, resonating with enthusiasts and novices alike. As the allure of home distilling grows, so does the need for reliable guidance. This guide, curated for the budding distiller, aims to demystify the process and aid in selecting the best moonshine still for beginners, ensuring that each drop distilled is a testament to both tradition and craftsmanship. Dive in, and embark on an age-old journey with a modern twist.

2. Understanding the basics of distillation

Distillation in its simplest form is the process of separating compounds based on their different boiling points. The distilling process starts with a fermented liquid mixture called the “mash” or “Wash”. This mash contains alcohol however the alcohol level, referred to as “Alcohol By Volume” or “ABV”, is quite low at around the 6-8%. This mash is placed in the still and heated to the point where the alcohol contained in the mixture turns to vapour. The vapour rises up through the still where it enters the condenser and is turned back into a liquid. At this point if you are using a basic pot still the alcohol concentration will have increased to around 60-65%. Subsequent distillations through the pot still will further increase the ABV. If a higher ABV through one distillation is desired, a reflux still can be utilised. The reflux still is discussed in detail later in this article.

3. Types of moonshine stills suitable for home distilling

Given the growing popularity in home distilling there are now a wide variety of options available to the home distiller, catering to all levels of experience from novice to the seasoned distiller. Given that this article is focusing on the best moonshine still for beginners let’s take a look at these options and some of their pro’s and con’s.

3.1 The Air Still

This is the most basic and easy to use still available. The name “Air Still” comes from the fact that the still uses air to condense the alcohol vapour into liquid. A fan located in the head of the still blows air across a heat-sink, which in turn cools and condenses the alcohol vapour flowing through it. This air cooling eliminating the need for a water source to cool the condenser, making it a compact and eco-friendly design. With a boiler size of 4 litres the air still is quite small and only produces 700ml at 60% ABV per run according to the Still Spirits website. The air still is ideally suited to the home distiller with limited storage space and happy with producing around one bottle of finished alcohol per run. The small boiler size also makes it great for recipe development too, making it a top contender for the best moonshine still for beginners.

3.2 Pot Still

Pot stills are the workhorse of the distilling world. When most people think of a still the image that comes to mind is the quintessential Kentucky moonshine still made famous by the television series Moonshiners. The pot still design lends itself to aged spirit like Whiskey and Rum as the spirit coming off the still carries a lot of flavour. Like the Air still, the ABV for a single run on a pot still will be around the 60–65% ABV. Simple in design, they are easy to use which makes them one of the best moonshine still for beginners.

With the ever increasing popularity of home distilling many variation of the pot still have come about with most being offered for sale on platforms such as Amazon and eBay. With so many variations being offered it’s hard to know what the differences are and what’s good and bad about them. So let’s take a look at the ones you are most likely to come across when looking to buy or build you own moonshine still.

3.2.1 Traditional Kentucky Pot Still

As mentioned earlier the Kentucky moonshine still design is the one that comes to mind for most people when asked what a moonshine still would look like. Made of copper and looking like a big pot with a long neck, it is used to make spirits like whiskey and bourbon. The copper helps remove sulphides from the spirit which in turn makes the spirit taste better. The shape and design help in turning liquids into vapour and then back into liquid, whilst still carrying over a lot of flavour.

This type of still generally employs a “worm” type condenser which essentially is a long spiral tube of copper suspended in a drum of water. When the still is in operation, vapours from the heated liquid travel through this spiral tube where it is cooled by surrounding water, resulting in the vapours condense back into a liquid.

3.2.2 Stock Pot Still

If you were to search the term “pot still” through Google, the most likely still offered will be the stainless steel stock pot design. This still is basically a stainless steel stock pot with an air tight lid that directs vapour from the boiling mash to a condensing coil inside another smaller stock pot. This smaller pot is filled with water, similar to the worm condenser used on the Kentucky pot still, and cools the condensing coil thus turning vapour into liquid.

Being made of stainless steel they do not remove sulphides from the spirit which can result in an inferior tasting spirit. Given this they are more suited to someone just getting into the hobby of home distilling and wanting to keep the cost of equipment down but want more capacity than the air still.

3.2.3 Keg Pot Still

Another common pot still you will find is the Keg Pot Still. Based on a boiler made from an old beer keg, they are a simple, yet effective option. Consisting of a length of 2” copper pipe as the body of the still, with a 90 deg bend at the top to direct vapour into a water cooled Liebig style condenser. The 2” copper pipe attaches to the keg by way of a Tri-clover clamp, making it easy to remove for cleaning. Generally this type of still is sold without the keg, allowing the user to save a bit of money by sourcing a decommissioned keg. Given its simplicity this type of still is frequently offered in kit form allowing DIYers the satisfaction of building the still themselves. Thanks to their low cost and ease of operation, they make a great starter still for those that are getting into the home distilling hobby. Not only that, they are easy to upgrade as you develop your skills in the distilling hobby and want to expand your equipment.

It’s worth mentioning that the Liebig condenser used on this type of still requires a constant supply of cool water unlike the worm style condenser mentioned above. The worm style condenser only needs the water changed when it is nearing the temperature where it is too warm to condense the vapour in the coil back into a liquid.

3.3 Column / Reflux Still

Reflux stills differ from pot stills in that they are designed to produce a higher proof alcohol with minimal flavour. They contain a fractioning column which enables the reflux of liquid, aiding in condensing the rising vapour and boosting distillation effect. As a result, this increases the purity and ABV of the alcohol. The taller the column the greater the amount of reflux liquid, the more “neutral” the alcohol becomes.

Think of a reflux still as multiple pot stills combined into one, allowing it to perform several distillations in a single run. Thanks to this multiplying effect it’s not uncommon to achieve an ABV in excess of 90%. This makes the reflux still ideal for distilling vodka and neutral spirit, which is then diluted to suitable ABV for consumption.

Like the pot still, there are many variations available so let’s take a look at the common ones.

3.3.1 T500

Perhaps the most well-known reflux still would be the T500 by Still Spirits. Pitched directly at the home distiller, it is a great entry level unit for producing “neutral Spirit” that can later be flavoured with essence. With a boiler capacity of 25 litres and the ability to produce 93% ABV alcohol, the unit is capable of producing 8 Litres of finished product at 40% from one run which takes about 6 hours. This however will vary greatly depending on the ABV of the wash and the speed at which the still is run.

The T500 still employs the “cooling Management” principle to control the output of the still. This basically means that the cooling water being sent into the still is regulated to achieve the desired output speed of the alcohol coming out of the still. This makes for a compact design but can be difficult for new distillers to fine tune.

3.3.2 Boka Reflux column

A Boka still, also known as a “Bokakob” or “Slant Plate” still, is a “liquid management” type of reflux still. It consists of a tall column that has a coil condenser fitted at the top. Just below the condenser is the distinct feature of this still, the slant plates. These plates direct and gather some of the rising vapour that has just been condensed into a liquid by the condenser and is falling back down the column. It is at the bottom plate where a needle valve is fitted and used to regulate the flow of alcohol being extracted from the still. The speed at which the alcohol is taken from the still will ultimately determine the quality and ABV of the alcohol. This type of still, if run correctly, is capable of producing a very neutral flavoured alcohol in excess of 90% ABV.

Generally speaking, these reflux columns are fitted to an old beer keg that has been repurposed into a boiler, making them a relatively cheap option for the hobby distiller wanting to produce high ABV neutral spirit at home. Not only that, the design is relatively basic making it an easy build for someone wanting to go the DIY route. The biggest challenge in building a Boka still would be forming the condensing coil, which someone new to the DIY world may find difficult.

One disadvantage of the Boka still is its run speed. Taking into account heat up time, the total run time for a 2” diameter Boka still on a 50L beer keg using a 2400W electric heating element can be around the 12 hour mark. This will vary though with take-off speed and ABV of the wash.

3.3.3 Bubble Plate Reflux Column

Bubble plate reflux columns are the pinnacle for most home distillers. Whilst not the best moonshine still for beginners due to cost, they are a great still for someone wanting to progress from say a Boka still into something a bit more flexible.

The bubble plate reflux still functions similarly to other reflux still with the difference being that the bubble plate (which are fitted with the bubble caps) retains a bath of liquid on each plate. As the rising vapour interacts with the liquid on the plates which condenses the heavier compounds, forcing them down the column, allowing the lighter compounds to proceed up the column.

As the vapour moves up the column it passes through the holes in the plate into the bubble cap. The vapour then exits the bubble cap via the slots around the outside of them where it is forced to interact with the liquid on the plate. Every time the vapours bubble through a liquid layer the unwanted parts condense back into liquid, and the desired vapours keep moving up. Some of the vapour is condensed at the top of the still and sent back down the column. This “reflux” helps in further refining the product. The cleanest vapours reach the top and are condensed into a liquid where they are collected as the final product.

Generally, bubble plate reflux columns are modular in design allowing the distiller to add or remove plates as needed. The number of plates needed is determined by the type of alcohol being produced. For example, two plates are usually used for bourbon and whiskey, four plates for rum and over six plates for vodka and neutral spirit. Give the complexity of this type of still they are not considered the best moonshine still for beginners.

3.3.4 Hybrid Still

Whilst mentioned here, the Hybrid still will not be the best moonshine still for beginners due to its complexity. It has only been included to increase your depth of knowledge in distilling equipment.

The hybrid still employs features of both the pot and reflux still designs, along with an infusion basket (Botanicals basket) making it an “all in one still”. Capable of producing whiskey, rum, brandy, vodka, gin, and liquors, they are a great option for the distiller that doesn’t want to be bound by the still as to what type of alcohol they produce.

4 Copper vs Stainless

Copper and stainless steel are both commonly used materials for making stills, and each offers unique benefits. Copper is known for its catalytic reaction capabilities, which help remove sulfides during the distillation process. This will improve the taste of the spirit you produce. It’s also an excellent heat conductor which results in more even heating, therefore a more consistent distillation. Many traditional distilleries favour copper due to its historical significance and the general belief that it yields a superior taste. However, copper does have its downsides; it can tarnish and corrode, especially in acidic conditions which means it needs regular maintenance.

On the other hand, stainless steel boasts excellent durability, making it resilient against wear and tear and highly resistant to corrosion. Typically, stainless steel stills come at a lower cost than their copper counterparts. They are also easier to maintain, given that they don’t tarnish and are relatively simple to clean. In terms of flavour, stainless steel doesn’t offer the same sulphide-removing properties as copper. To compensate, some still makers design stainless steel stills with copper columns or packing, blending the advantages of both materials.

When deciding which material is the best for your moonshine still, it’s essential to consider your specific needs and preferences. For the home distiller prioritising flavour, particularly for spirits like whiskey and bourbon, copper may be the ideal choice. However, if durability, low maintenance, and cost are more important, stainless steel could be more suitable. Some home distillers go for a mix of both materials, using a stainless steel pot for its longevity, and a copper column to harness both materials’ benefits.

5 What size of still should you buy?

Selecting the right still size for a beginner getting into home distilling hinges on several key factors. One of the primary factors is the intended purpose of the still. For those looking to distil purely for personal use or simple experimentation, a smaller still, typically in the range 5 to 20 litres is often adequate. This size is user-friendly, requires less raw material, and heats up quickly, allowing for relatively quick feedback and learning. However, for people with commercial aspirations, starting with a larger model could be an advantage. Even so, people that are new to distilling are typically encouraged to begin with something not too big, perhaps around 50 Litres which is the size of a beer keg. This will allow them to master the basics before venturing into larger operations.

Space is another factor to consider. It’s crucial to take into account not only the physical space where the still will be positioned but also that there is a safety buffer around it. When distilling you are dealing with high heat and flammable materials so ensuring you maintain a safe distance around the still area is crucial.

Financial considerations also come into play when deciding the best moonshine still for beginners. Generally, the smaller the still, the less the financial outlay, making it a more feasible choice for those wanting to dip their toe into the exciting world of home distillation.

6 DIY or Store Bought?

Deciding between purchasing a moonshine still or constructing one yourself is a matter of personal preference, your goals and your skill level. Commercially available stills sourced from reputable businesses are generally manufactured to a high safety standards, ensuring reliability and durability. They often come with a polished finish and are ready to operate straight out of the box. In addition to this, you will in most cases, receive customer support for your purchase and have any concerns and queries answered by the supplier of your still. However, this convenience and guaranteed quality does come at a cost, and these stills can be relatively expensive.

On the flip side, creating a DIY still is a vastly cheaper option that also offers a personalised experience. It also allows you the opportunity to customise the still to suit your individual requirements and preferences. Building your own still can also be a learning journey, helping you better understand the distilling process and how your still works. Financially, in most cases, it will be a more cost-effective option, especially if you have access to “off-cuts” and second hand materials that are needed to build a still. Keep in mind though that there are safety risks involved if the still is not constructed correctly. This is why it is highly recommended that you follow well thought out, detailed plans, from a reputable source if you choose to go down the DIY route.

In essence, if you’re seeking a hassle-free, dependable option, a store-bought still might be the best option for you. If you’re inclined towards a hands-on experience and are confident in your construction abilities, the DIY route could be a rewarding and more cost effective option. Always prioritise safety and familiarise yourself with local regulations regarding distillation.

7 FAQ’s

How do I determine the right size of a still for my needs?

Begin with a small still, then scale up as you get more experienced. 50L is a great place to start as it has great output volume and an efficient use of time.

Is it legal to distill spirits at home in my country/state?

Laws vary, so always check local regulations before starting.

How long does a distillation process typically take?

Depending on the still’s size and the spirit type, it can range from 4 to 12 hours.

Can I use the same still for different spirits?

Absolutely, but ensure thorough cleaning between batches.

What’s the difference between moonshine and commercially sold spirits?

Mainly regulations and taxes, but homemade moonshine has a personal touch!

8 Conclusion

We have covered many different moonshine still types and sizes in this guide and it can be a little overwhelming to determine the best moonshine still for beginners entering the exciting world of home distilling. Ultimately it all comes down to the type of spirit you want to make and the budget you have for your distilling equipment

If it’s neutral spirit you want to produce then the natural selection would be a reflux still. If it’s aged spirits like whiskey and rum then the pot still will be your still of choice.

When setting out on your journey of home distilling it’s a good idea to master the basics of distillation first. That’s why my suggestion for beginners is to opt for a pot still over a reflux still. Pot stills are relatively easy to use compared to reflux stills and are an excellent way of learning the basics of the distilling process.

So, for me, the clear winner when it comes to the best moonshine still for beginners is the column pot still on a keg boiler. Firstly it comes at a relatively cheap entry point, especially if you choose to make the still yourself. With a boiler capacity of 50 litres it is capable of producing in excess of 10 bottles of finished product from one run, which is a very effective use of your time. Although the pot still is most suited to aged spirits you can produce neutral spirits with them by simply running your wash through a number of times. By doing this, each subsequent run further purifies the wash and strips out flavour producing a neutral spirit.

Embarking on the home distilling journey is exciting, but having the best moonshine still for beginners makes all the difference. With this guide, you’re well on your way to crafting spirits that not only taste great but also tell a story – your story. Happy distilling!

The Best Moonshine Still for Beginners: A Home Distiller’s Guide

Table of Contents Introduction

1. Introduction