@TheSoapyJew You will have to use a synthetic rubber such as neoprene, Viton (fluorocarbon elastomers), or even try putting one layer of a nitrile glove over the rubber - that would be the quick and easy method, and you could probably get two or three liners out of one glove. I wouldn't use them for more than one batch. The problem is that most common rubber is butyl rubber, and that leads to the fusel oils being leached out. Butyl rubber just corrodes under high temp, high grade ethanol.
You shouldn't use a rubber stopper as ethanol is corrosive to natural rubber and can lead to fusel oils in your ethanol. If you plan on drinking the stuff it will either taste like crap or give you a nasty hangover. You would be better off using a threaded thermometer in your pipe setup. You won't get anywhere near 190 proof using that set up, probably more around 170. You would have to run your first batch through subsequent distillations to get higher proof stuff.
@craniumface Boy are you right. After seeing this video I decided to try using a rubber stopper and it tastes like shit. And I put way more effort and money into it than he did. Not sure what i'm gonna do now.
slow your water down ....get some kind of valve to control the flow....and you have to run it at around 175deg ..if you take your stove and turn it up slow a little bit at a time intell you hit the temp you need you can find the perfect spot for the temp ..if you slow her down and get the temp right you will get more output..this potstill will only put out about 45-50 abv the first run thriough..run it through i more time to get 80+ abv..or just get a cheap $10 vodka and run it through one time
That still design will not generate 195 proof from the first run. Word of advise, invest in an alcometer and hydrometer so you can test your shit after fermentation is done and test your final product. You "still" have a lot of learning to do young jedi. You might want to think about building a copper parrots beak so you will know what you're producing as the moonshine is coming out of the condenser.
I wonder if your gettin enough cooling? How cold was your water? I would think you should be able to adjust the flow with the water flow. Maybe you need a exspansion chamber so the steam can build up more.
In your video you asked for comments. Since you are not using a pressure cooker I would suggest using the flower on any rivet on the pot. Those are not manufactured to hold under pressure. Hope it helps. I'm currently working on my own design and this video did help in some ways. May post the results if anyone is interested.
if u cook your shine slower it will be much smoother. also thats still a pot still design your not get over 120 prof make i suggest taking and making a collum filled with copper brissle pads there like steal wool but copper. then attach your jaketed condencer u have there up to that. that will give u around 180 prof.
@SmokeyandtheBandit77 thanks for watching my video to tell you the true it is stronger than bacardi 151 is 151 proof my shit lights up faster and burns hotter and smooth when u drink but burn like fire going down
Jb weld and rubber fittings are both bad, they will still leach shit into the vapor. Your cooling hose is setup exactly how it should be. A therometer on a pot still like this is pointless. Just heat untill it produces but that stove by design isn't gonna get hot enough to produce fast. I hope like crap you are ditching about a shot glass of the front to get rid of the wood alky.
So you're not cutting the heads/tails? And where's your thumper? This allows a higher alcohol percentage in a single run. It's not thay bad of a design, but instead of flour/ water sealant, maybe you could cut a 1/2" Dia. Rubber hose, lengthwise, and wrap it around the edge of the pot for a gasket, and develop a clamp system utilizing the handles on the pot itself.
Family friend, Ali Randolph, sang her original song about Popcorn at his Memorial Service. She has now posted a video of the song played with her band, The Outta Luck Band.
Moonshiners - Popcorn Sutton - Ali Randolph & The Outta Luck Band - Music Video - Moonshine
That is not 195 proof. You cannot use that method to get that high alcohol content. Even if it came out at say 195 proof, as soon as it hits the air it pulls the moisture out of the air and dilutes itself back down to about 193 proof.
i could use a five gallon mash recipie, and as to the charcoal-- ive been verry sucksessfull with burnt wood chips. it leaves a better flavor since your not storing it for long.
I'm not here to put you down but instead inform. First JB Weld is rated for 600 F. It won't break down because of heat on a still, instead the ethanol being produced will break it down. However it has very low, if any, toxicity. Instead it imparts a bad taste on the likker. Second the best you can ever do is 196.5 proof unless you use a vacuum still. Lastly don't light it with a blow torch, instead use a match if you're trying to "test" it. All in all, it looks good and at least you're trying.
No way can you get 190 proof - 95% abv from this pot still. To get that, you would have to reflux the distillate over 1 meter and reach equilibrium for 40 mins... Your moonshine will be at a maximum of betweel 50% abv and 60% abv...
@0lllllll0Jeep Yea, buy a hydrometer or alcoholmeter, they're like $10 on e-bay. It's the only way to know exactly what % of alky is being produced. You will find that using it to help decide where to cut off the heads from the hearts and tails will be much easier.
Sorry to burst your bubble there Mr. A. That is a very simple pot still and getting anything over 130-150 proof from it would be near impossible. A good 3"-4" reflux unit would get there after repeated distillation but your one run thru isn't getting anything close to 190-195 proof. Good design though. Keep up the education and remember it's a learning experience... some people brew for a lifetime and they're still trying to get that perfect brew.
Hi might want to try some oatmeal and flour-- flax seed and flour better binding agent --running the still slow is way better all the old timers used to say if I could run it using a wooden match I would slow wood heat is better does`nt burn the throat 155-170 will get you a good vapor you have a low column do you use copper wool in it
i stay to traditional. hillbillies are gettin more advanced. my cousin is the game warden. lol. i still do the original. good lookin still. ill try this
Have you tried distilling this multiple times to get a very good product? I don't see the point in hobby vodka making if you can't get a better product and at a better price. Does the still pay off over time, or is this really just a labor of love?
Alex, it's Summer. I just wanted to let you know...your mother is gonna beat your ass when she finds out you were filming in her kitchen...she gon be pissed. Love ya! o;
dont test yer allkeehall with a torch, use a match. also i use charcol filter from a brita water filter, makes mine smooth very nice set up, makes mine look OLD!!!lol sorry no vids, i dont have a cam
Cheers! First off, great job on the liebig condenser & cooling circulation system. However, a BIG warning about JBweld, I did the same thing on my first DIY potstill, b/c I couldn't find any info on JBweld health hazards below burning temp. But, You could definitely TASTE JBweld in the distillate. & JBweld's MSDS says not to grind or inhale dust of the cured epoxy. (Plus, alcohol is a solvent.) I recommend using Aquarium sealant silicone or High-temp food-grade silicone from Reynolds materials.
Okay, saw the other video's so I know that you know about the Methanol. good job on adding the water pump. I think the pressure cooker was the better idea as its guaranteed to not leak and at the moment my only concern is the Solder used on the pipes, I know that there is some Copper Solder out there and hope that you didn't choose a type that had lead in it. But all in all looks great, keep up the good work.
I don't know if anyone has said this or not, but dude be careful, Methanol that is produced at 148 degrees F, will come out the end of your still first, so you always want to dump the first half cup to 1 full cup, Methanol can cause serious organ damage and blindness, plus you wanna clean your pot and run it all back through a second time so that it removes more water and brings the alcohol content up more.
Fire is a VERY BAD way to test ABV. You risk starting a serious fire. Get a proof and traille hydrometer. Those are designed to test alcohol in distilled spirits. I picked one up at my local home brew shop. You can also get them online.
I also noticed you aren't doing any cuts. I am assuming it's just a stripping run to test out the new still.
If you haven't, you should check out he home distiller site. Lots of good info there. Lots of cool still designs too.
Turn the heat up just past Medium on the stove and leave it. Mine works great. i bought one like it. Put cold water in one side of the sink and run the hot water run off in to the other side. It will start dripping slowly and speed up. Test your product often to make sure the strength is still good. when it starts tasting week . Shut off and refill the pot with fresh. 3 hours makes 14 pints at 180 proof.
good god, man! It's like a mad scientist took over a meth lab!
backyardsounds 4 days ago
@TheSoapyJew You will have to use a synthetic rubber such as neoprene, Viton (fluorocarbon elastomers), or even try putting one layer of a nitrile glove over the rubber - that would be the quick and easy method, and you could probably get two or three liners out of one glove. I wouldn't use them for more than one batch. The problem is that most common rubber is butyl rubber, and that leads to the fusel oils being leached out. Butyl rubber just corrodes under high temp, high grade ethanol.
craniumface 1 week ago
You shouldn't use a rubber stopper as ethanol is corrosive to natural rubber and can lead to fusel oils in your ethanol. If you plan on drinking the stuff it will either taste like crap or give you a nasty hangover. You would be better off using a threaded thermometer in your pipe setup. You won't get anywhere near 190 proof using that set up, probably more around 170. You would have to run your first batch through subsequent distillations to get higher proof stuff.
craniumface 3 weeks ago
@craniumface Boy are you right. After seeing this video I decided to try using a rubber stopper and it tastes like shit. And I put way more effort and money into it than he did. Not sure what i'm gonna do now.
TheSoapyJew 1 week ago
if you pack your copper b4 your condencer with copper mesh you will bring your abv way up on your first run.....
TheSleepermgm 4 weeks ago
slow your water down ....get some kind of valve to control the flow....and you have to run it at around 175deg ..if you take your stove and turn it up slow a little bit at a time intell you hit the temp you need you can find the perfect spot for the temp ..if you slow her down and get the temp right you will get more output..this potstill will only put out about 45-50 abv the first run thriough..run it through i more time to get 80+ abv..or just get a cheap $10 vodka and run it through one time
TheSleepermgm 4 weeks ago
That still design will not generate 195 proof from the first run. Word of advise, invest in an alcometer and hydrometer so you can test your shit after fermentation is done and test your final product. You "still" have a lot of learning to do young jedi. You might want to think about building a copper parrots beak so you will know what you're producing as the moonshine is coming out of the condenser.
guinnstout 4 weeks ago
EBAY ?
zakman187 1 month ago
I wonder if your gettin enough cooling? How cold was your water? I would think you should be able to adjust the flow with the water flow. Maybe you need a exspansion chamber so the steam can build up more.
hpjunky70 1 month ago
I prefer everclear over moonshine
coolttrain 1 month ago
In your video you asked for comments. Since you are not using a pressure cooker I would suggest using the flower on any rivet on the pot. Those are not manufactured to hold under pressure. Hope it helps. I'm currently working on my own design and this video did help in some ways. May post the results if anyone is interested.
TheSoapyJew 1 month ago
MOONSHINE
321killin 1 month ago
you aint supposed to use an aluminum pot
boogyman4562 1 month ago
170 dude. Any higher will make the booze wicked. So i've heard. Where's your thump keg?
hpjunky70 1 month ago
if u cook your shine slower it will be much smoother. also thats still a pot still design your not get over 120 prof make i suggest taking and making a collum filled with copper brissle pads there like steal wool but copper. then attach your jaketed condencer u have there up to that. that will give u around 180 prof.
tooodoodjmf 1 month ago
do a video of you proofin it...i think youll find its alot lower than you think its probly down closer to 100 proof
SmokeyandtheBandit77 1 month ago
@SmokeyandtheBandit77 thanks for watching my video to tell you the true it is stronger than bacardi 151 is 151 proof my shit lights up faster and burns hotter and smooth when u drink but burn like fire going down
Alexhuntzinger 1 month ago
Thank you for mentioning why not to use aluminum. I knew I needed stainless but I didn't know why. Thanks for clearing that up.
TheSoapyJew 1 month ago
PopCorn would bitch slap yo ass
MrRooney357 1 month ago 7
careful you dont go makin poison now
arthurkaylee 1 month ago
How far down should a thermometer be in relation to the mash, should it be in the vapor or the top portion of the actual mash?
eknucks18 1 month ago
use a coil condensor
ghettobraden 1 month ago
Jb weld and rubber fittings are both bad, they will still leach shit into the vapor. Your cooling hose is setup exactly how it should be. A therometer on a pot still like this is pointless. Just heat untill it produces but that stove by design isn't gonna get hot enough to produce fast. I hope like crap you are ditching about a shot glass of the front to get rid of the wood alky.
neo71665 1 month ago
Shouldn't you have the cooler water going in at the top and exit at the lower end?
remm57 1 month ago
Nice design. I'm looking to try this but I'm adding the thumper portion of the distilling process that the old guys have in their set up.
remm57 1 month ago
do you have to do a second distillation if so why
blackdre36 1 month ago
So you're not cutting the heads/tails? And where's your thumper? This allows a higher alcohol percentage in a single run. It's not thay bad of a design, but instead of flour/ water sealant, maybe you could cut a 1/2" Dia. Rubber hose, lengthwise, and wrap it around the edge of the pot for a gasket, and develop a clamp system utilizing the handles on the pot itself.
TheLiberator88 1 month ago
This has been flagged as spam show
Family friend, Ali Randolph, sang her original song about Popcorn at his Memorial Service. She has now posted a video of the song played with her band, The Outta Luck Band.
Moonshiners - Popcorn Sutton - Ali Randolph & The Outta Luck Band - Music Video - Moonshine
exposefraud 1 month ago
That is not 195 proof. You cannot use that method to get that high alcohol content. Even if it came out at say 195 proof, as soon as it hits the air it pulls the moisture out of the air and dilutes itself back down to about 193 proof.
TechnicianMad 2 months ago
@TechnicianMad Wow, I didn't know that. makes sense though.
PittsburghCopBlock 1 month ago
You could use a bulkhead fitting for your lid. That way you wouldn't need JB weld.
saintrojo 2 months ago
you wont be getting over 193 proof, tops bro.
silverado669 2 months ago
Problem with that kinda of stove is they pulse on and off. The old crappy coil stoves work much better for making booze
roundweego1 2 months ago
i could use a five gallon mash recipie, and as to the charcoal-- ive been verry sucksessfull with burnt wood chips. it leaves a better flavor since your not storing it for long.
thedonfromnap 2 months ago
I'm not here to put you down but instead inform. First JB Weld is rated for 600 F. It won't break down because of heat on a still, instead the ethanol being produced will break it down. However it has very low, if any, toxicity. Instead it imparts a bad taste on the likker. Second the best you can ever do is 196.5 proof unless you use a vacuum still. Lastly don't light it with a blow torch, instead use a match if you're trying to "test" it. All in all, it looks good and at least you're trying.
snowboarderr1234 2 months ago
you need a hydrometer, you will be very surprised usually you only get around 120 from your first cool, you need to buy the alaskan bootlegers bible
durhamsteven 2 months ago
just use black RTV for the sealant
BowHunt1229 2 months ago
No way can you get 190 proof - 95% abv from this pot still. To get that, you would have to reflux the distillate over 1 meter and reach equilibrium for 40 mins... Your moonshine will be at a maximum of betweel 50% abv and 60% abv...
Tip: Get rid of the plastic funnel.... Be safe...
TheSamohon 2 months ago
Do you know of a way to accurately measure the alcohol content of the moonshine? (within maybe 5% if possible)
0lllllll0Jeep 2 months ago
@0lllllll0Jeep Use an Alcometer @ 20C... Very accurate...
TheSamohon 2 months ago
@0lllllll0Jeep Yea, buy a hydrometer or alcoholmeter, they're like $10 on e-bay. It's the only way to know exactly what % of alky is being produced. You will find that using it to help decide where to cut off the heads from the hearts and tails will be much easier.
penztoy 2 months ago
man....looks dodgy but luv it anyway!
jasonclark666 3 months ago
slower the drip smoother it is
delkins234 4 months ago
Sorry to burst your bubble there Mr. A. That is a very simple pot still and getting anything over 130-150 proof from it would be near impossible. A good 3"-4" reflux unit would get there after repeated distillation but your one run thru isn't getting anything close to 190-195 proof. Good design though. Keep up the education and remember it's a learning experience... some people brew for a lifetime and they're still trying to get that perfect brew.
penztoy 4 months ago
Hi might want to try some oatmeal and flour-- flax seed and flour better binding agent --running the still slow is way better all the old timers used to say if I could run it using a wooden match I would slow wood heat is better does`nt burn the throat 155-170 will get you a good vapor you have a low column do you use copper wool in it
MrMrtiki 5 months ago
i stay to traditional. hillbillies are gettin more advanced. my cousin is the game warden. lol. i still do the original. good lookin still. ill try this
SuperJohncenarko 5 months ago
Can u send me ur recipe and procedure for the mash? Thanks. Great vid.
tizzowe1 6 months ago
Have you tried distilling this multiple times to get a very good product? I don't see the point in hobby vodka making if you can't get a better product and at a better price. Does the still pay off over time, or is this really just a labor of love?
PyroChemicals2 6 months ago
@PyroChemicals2 Pay off in time in savings I should say, I'm not implying the unlicensed sale of alcohol.
PyroChemicals2 6 months ago
Alex, it's Summer. I just wanted to let you know...your mother is gonna beat your ass when she finds out you were filming in her kitchen...she gon be pissed. Love ya! o;
xocraptasticox 7 months ago
dont test yer allkeehall with a torch, use a match. also i use charcol filter from a brita water filter, makes mine smooth very nice set up, makes mine look OLD!!!lol sorry no vids, i dont have a cam
hershey4234 8 months ago
@hershey4234 thanks i havent try the charcol yet that how they make jack thank for the comment
Alexhuntzinger 8 months ago
Can u post ur mash recipes again? Thanks
hawk5070 10 months ago
you didnt finish the rest of your ingredients at the end!
smokypotbear 10 months ago
@smokypotbear ya ran out of space on cam
Alexhuntzinger 10 months ago
@smokypotbear yea! im looking for good 5 gal recipies
thedonfromnap 2 months ago
Cheers! First off, great job on the liebig condenser & cooling circulation system. However, a BIG warning about JBweld, I did the same thing on my first DIY potstill, b/c I couldn't find any info on JBweld health hazards below burning temp. But, You could definitely TASTE JBweld in the distillate. & JBweld's MSDS says not to grind or inhale dust of the cured epoxy. (Plus, alcohol is a solvent.) I recommend using Aquarium sealant silicone or High-temp food-grade silicone from Reynolds materials.
Johnlismore 11 months ago
Okay, saw the other video's so I know that you know about the Methanol. good job on adding the water pump. I think the pressure cooker was the better idea as its guaranteed to not leak and at the moment my only concern is the Solder used on the pipes, I know that there is some Copper Solder out there and hope that you didn't choose a type that had lead in it. But all in all looks great, keep up the good work.
01Animosity 1 year ago
I don't know if anyone has said this or not, but dude be careful, Methanol that is produced at 148 degrees F, will come out the end of your still first, so you always want to dump the first half cup to 1 full cup, Methanol can cause serious organ damage and blindness, plus you wanna clean your pot and run it all back through a second time so that it removes more water and brings the alcohol content up more.
01Animosity 1 year ago
Nice liebig condenser!
Fire is a VERY BAD way to test ABV. You risk starting a serious fire. Get a proof and traille hydrometer. Those are designed to test alcohol in distilled spirits. I picked one up at my local home brew shop. You can also get them online.
I also noticed you aren't doing any cuts. I am assuming it's just a stripping run to test out the new still.
If you haven't, you should check out he home distiller site. Lots of good info there. Lots of cool still designs too.
purplemutantas 1 year ago
thank for the info i wil try it to see how it works thank
Alexhuntzinger 1 year ago
Turn the heat up just past Medium on the stove and leave it. Mine works great. i bought one like it. Put cold water in one side of the sink and run the hot water run off in to the other side. It will start dripping slowly and speed up. Test your product often to make sure the strength is still good. when it starts tasting week . Shut off and refill the pot with fresh. 3 hours makes 14 pints at 180 proof.
mcpeake78 1 year ago