Moonshining is an activity that requires caution! However, if you follow safety guidelines and use common sense, you can not only enjoy an interesting experiment but also the delightful beverage you create! Remember, different countries have their own laws regarding moonshining, and consuming moonshine can negatively affect your health.
Preparing Your Equipment
Step 1: Gather Necessary Materials.
Collect everything you need. For a successful process, it’s crucial to have everything in place—otherwise, you risk losing everything! You will need:
- A pressure cooker—it's best to get a separate one for moonshining.
- Copper tubing—about 2 meters long and 0.7 cm in diameter, available at any hardware store.
- A drill with a 0.7 cm drill bit to make a hole in the pressure cooker lid.
- A large metal bucket.
- A large plastic bucket.
- Cheesecloth.
- 1 kilogram of cornmeal, 4 kilograms of sugar, and 15 grams of yeast.
Step 2: Assemble the Boiler.
Now it's time to assemble the boiler. Make a hole in the pressure cooker lid and securely attach the copper tubing. Remember that the tube should be inserted so that its end does not protrude more than 2.5 centimeters inside the pressure cooker.
- The tube should be long enough to reach from the stove to the sink and extend down to the floor.
- If you prefer not to drill the pressure cooker, you can use duct tape to secure the tube in the vent.
Preparing the Mash
Step 1: Boil 10 Gallons (37 Liters) of Water.
Boil 10 gallons (37 liters) of water. You’ll need a pot on the stove and a strong gas flame. The key is to get the water boiling.
Step 2: Add the Cornmeal.
Add the cornmeal. Pour 1 kilogram of cornmeal into the boiling water and stir thoroughly with a wooden spoon. Let the mixture boil for a few minutes, then, once it thickens, remove it from the heat and transfer it to a clean container.
Step 3: Introduce Sugar and Yeast.
Add the sugar and yeast. Stir in 4 kilograms of sugar and 15 grams of yeast, mixing well until everything dissolves.
- You can use bread yeast, sourdough, or brewing yeast—all will help kickstart the fermentation process.
Step 4: Allow the Mash to Ferment.
Let the mash ferment. Cover the container with cheesecloth and move it to a dark, cool place, like a basement. Fermentation begins when the yeast starts breaking down the carbohydrates from the sugar and cornmeal, producing alcohol.
- A brown foam will appear on the surface, rising each day. Once fermentation is complete, the foam will stop rising.
- The mash is ready when it stops “bubbling.”
Distilling the Fermented Mash
Step 1: Strain the Liquid Through Cheesecloth.
Strain the liquid through cheesecloth. Stretch the cheesecloth over a bucket and carefully pour the mash. If you don’t have cheesecloth, a clean white t-shirt will work as well.
Step 2: Fill the Pressure Cooker.
Pour the liquid into the pressure cooker. Close the lid and place the pressure cooker on the stove, discarding the remaining mash in the cheesecloth.
Step 3: Set Up the Copper Tube for Condensation.
Position the copper tubing for condensation. Extend the tube from the pressure cooker to the sink filled with cold water. Submerge part of the tube in the water, with the other end directed into a clean container on the floor.
Step 4: Heat the Pressure Cooker.
Ignite the flame under the pressure cooker. The mixture should heat up to 80 degrees Celsius—no higher. This is the boiling point of grain alcohol. As pressure increases, the alcohol will turn into vapor, travel through the tube to the sink, cool down, condense, and flow into the bucket. This is your moonshine.
- The initial distillate before reaching 80 degrees will be methanol, which evaporates at lower temperatures and is toxic. Discard the first 60 grams! Real ethanol will come later.
- Monitor the temperature and collect alcohol only within the desired range. You should end up with about 7.5 liters of moonshine.
Step 5: Bottle the Finished Product.
Pour the moonshine into bottles. The finished product is very strong, with an alcohol content of 90-95%—almost pure grain alcohol. To make it safe for consumption, you need to dilute the moonshine with clean water.
