How Does a Moonshine Still Work?

The art of making moonshine is a century-old tradition with roots going back to the mid-to-late 1800s. While there are countless different techniques and ingredients used to create it, nearly all of them are done with a still. As the name suggests, the “still” is used to distill alcohol vapor from the solution or ingredient mix. For a more in-depth look at how moonshine stills work, keep reading.

Mash vs Liquid Ingredients

Moonshine can be made from a variety of ingredients. Some people prefer to mix corn, malt and sugar into a thick mash, while others use a basic liquid combination consisting of sugar water and yeast. Both of these methods are perfect for creating deliciously rich moonshine. However, it’s important to note that the ingredients used will have a direct impact on the flavor. The corn from moonshine mash will have a distinct flavor that softens the overwhelming bite of the alcohol.

Distillation Process

Whether the moonshine is made from mash or liquid, the distillation process is the same. The solution is heated up to an appropriate temperature (varies depending on your ingredients), at which point the alcohol vapor evaporates and travels through a copper tube into a separate compartment where it’s mixed with cold water. From here, the alcohol vapor evaporated yet again through a different copper tube into a warm box where it slowly drips out.

It’s important to note that the first couple tablespoons of distilled moonshine should be discarded. The initial alcohol vapor oftentimes contains high levels of toxic methanol which could end up in your moonshine. Discarded the first 4-5 tablespoons of your distilled moonshine will keep your product safe from methanol.

The distillation process isn’t fast by any means, so don’t expect to create a jug of corn moonshine in just a couple of hours. It’s a tedious process that requires patience and dedication. However, all of your hard work is paid off in the end once you are finally able to sit down and enjoy the fruits of your labor.

Also, reflux and fractioning stills allow for greater alcohol purity since they are able to recondense the moonshine multiple times. People who are serious about moonshining always recondense their liquid multiple times. This is done to achieve a clear consistency that’s far more potent than moonshine condensed just one time.