It is not enough to say about moonshining in Russia that this is a technological process perfected and streamlined for centuries. Among other things, the production of this entertainment drink is an integral part of the subculture of a huge country. In addition, this is one of the sides of the national tradition of our people.
The reason for this state of affairs is quite commonplace. The fact is that in all centuries, alcohol-containing drinks have been one of the most important sources of replenishment of the state budget. This was especially pronounced during the existence of the monopoly on their production. But at the same time, our people always drove moonshine. And this, despite the fact that for about six centuries in Russia there was a ban on the independent production of alcohol.
The use of special equipment
Many believe that the father of moonshine in Russia is none other than the monk Isidore. It was he who in the 14th century established the production of this drink in the Miracle Monastery. At the same time, Isidore was the first to use the moonshine still. It was from the monastery that this drink began its victorious procession throughout Russia.
The moonshine still used, turned out to be such an effective and successful design that it is simply impossible to come up with something fundamentally new. It’s like a bike. It can be installed, for example, disc brakes, multi-stage gearbox, electric motor and shock absorbers. All the same, he will remain nothing more than a bicycle.
That's in the moonshine. Everything is balanced very well here. And even with all the tricks, this device remains nothing more than a conventional distiller, which is designed to extract alcohol from the mash. In this case, raw materials can be named in some other way. However, the principle of the whole scheme will remain the same.
Moonshine production process
How is this traditional Russian drink made? It is obtained as a result of fermentation (the process of vital activity of yeast bacteria). This contributes to the formation of a liquid having a high alcohol content (up to thirteen volume percent). Raw materials may be different. This is not only the most popular sugar yeast mash. Apple cider can also serve as raw material; wort made from cereals; grape mash. It can be other mixtures. The main thing is that they have such a capacity of alcohol that allows you to extract it from the original composition by distillation. What is characteristic of this process?
Distillation
This process divides the components of a complex mixture into fractions, based on the physicochemical properties of the substances. The most desirable of them, because of which, in fact, distillation is carried out, is nothing but ethyl alcohol.
What is the essence of this process? When the liquid is heated, the evaporation of its constituent components occurs unevenly. So, at 56.5 ° C acetone evaporates. After it is methanol. This happens at 64 ° C. Ethyl acetate follows. To escape it, the liquid must be warmed up to 77 ° C.
Ethanol is the last to evaporate. This process begins when the temperature reaches 78 ° C. Moreover, the maximum efficiency of evaporation of ethyl alcohol can be achieved at 80-82 ° C. This temperature must be maintained in the cube of the moonshine.
Then, vapor enters the part of the system called the refrigerator. Here their temperature drops sharply. Vapors turn back into liquid.
Of course, at the very beginning of the distillation process, condensation of the most easily evaporated part occurs. Further - average. At the end of the process, ordinary water enters the refrigerator. Knowing this, one should catch the moment when the condensation of alcohol begins. This will select it in its purest form. This is the main task that stands before the moonshiner or distillery.
However, not everyone succeeds. That is why moonshine is excellent in composition. Crystal clear alcohol can only be produced using industrial plants.
Enriched alcohol, having an acceptable minimum of impurities, is also produced by the Antonych moonshine. Reviews of experts confirm that this device is a good imitation of industrial plants. And the main purpose of this device is amateur production of moonshine and other alcohol-containing drinks.
The main components of the device
What is the “Antonych” moonshine still? A review of this design confirms that it is originally composed and well done. At the same time, "Antonych" is a moonshine still, during the development of which the advantages of other models were taken into account. In general, this device receives reviews as easy to use and very practical. And really. On closer inspection, you can see that it is.
"Antonych" is a moonshine still that has everything in its design. Moreover, its components are in the optimal combination. And this allows us to consider the Antonovich moonshine still a very successful model. Owner reviews confirm that this device is suitable for home use. It is compact and, importantly, safe. In addition, "Antonych" - a moonshine still, which is notable for good performance. Using it can be obtained up to two liters of alcohol per hour.
Equipment
What is the “Antonych” moonshine still? The description of the device allows you to get the most complete picture of it. This is a distillation nozzle with a refrigerator, which is mounted in a unit. The kit includes a silicone hose, a sanitary kit, a thermometer, as well as wads made on the basis of the Sulzer nozzle, and the Selivanenko nozzle.
But this is far from all the details that are necessary for the Antonovich moonshine to work. The instruction for the manufacture of an alcohol-containing drink indicates that the process of its production is impossible without a distillation tank, as well as an adapter for installing the nozzle. However, there are no such details in the configuration of the device, which, according to user reviews, slightly reduces its consumer value. What to do in this situation?
For those that love tinkering
You can bring to perfection the moonshine "Antonych" with your own hands. Anyone who decides to try out new possibilities of the distillation process and is inclined to the continuous improvement of such devices will like this work.
It’s not for nothing that the Antonych moonshine still receives owner’s reviews as about a device that has some technical solutions that are not found in any of these devices.
Distiller "Antonych" can be attached to any flask. In addition, you will need to purchase a tank, which will become a distillation cube for the device.
The buyer will need to make a fitting on their own, and if this is not possible, then order it from those who can work on metal. However, it is important to take into account one caveat. The cube and fitting must be made of the same metal. Otherwise, the materials will begin to interact with each other, which usually happens in an aggressive environment.
Using the nozzle Selivanenko
What is the difference between other models of moonshine "Antonych"? Features of its design are that the tsar is filled with a spiral-prismatic nozzle Selivanenko. This part is nothing more than twisted wire-like pieces of stainless steel 12X18H10T like springs. The nozzle serves to increase the area of contact of the vapors leaving the mash with metal. In addition, such a design increases the level of condensation of high-boiling elements. It allows you to most effectively clean the steam from impurities even before it enters the refrigerator.
The Selivanenko nozzle is characterized by high mass transfer efficiency, low hydraulic resistance and high wettability.
Tsarga
What is attractive for the user of the Antonovich moonshine still? The device is large enough king. Its height is almost a meter. This also distinguishes "Antonych" - a moonshine still. The characteristic of this constructive detail gives every reason to get high-quality alcohol. Most devices of this class are equipped with a Panchenkov mesh nozzle. Of course, there is no noticeable difference in performance between the two devices, but users note the fact that the “Antonych” reflux condenser is able to work more efficiently.
Instant refrigerator
This is another mandatory part of the moonshine. Antonych provides for the use of an arched adapter. This element is designed to connect the drawer with a vertical refrigerator.
Despite its fairly compact size, it, according to user reviews, works quite well. “Antonych” is a moonshine (see photo in the article), which has a flow-type refrigerator in its design. At the same time, at the outlet of the device, the alcohol-containing liquid has a temperature not exceeding room temperature.
Manufacturer
The developer of the moonshine "Antonych" is a Russian company. However, the device itself is made in China. The cost of the device is quite high and approaches 12 thousand rubles. But it corresponds to the quality of the resulting product.
Manufacturers say that they are developing a new model of the device, which will have an even more original design.
Advantages
When creating the design of the moonshine “Antonych”, the developer focused on making his device truly popular. At the same time, he endowed his invention with such advantages:
- multifunctionality;
- the possibility of use in any conditions that are available not only in a city apartment, but also, for example, in a camp on the shore of a reservoir;
- maximum compatibility with the equipment that, as a rule, is available to the average user (when using the Antonovich apparatus, any available flask or distillation cube taken from another similar device can be used);
- the possibility of modernization.
Moonshine production
When you equip the flasks available at the farm with a purchased miracle distiller, you can get a high-quality alcohol-containing drink. However, before starting work, you will need to carefully read the instructions.
In order to remove heavy organic substances from the mash, which serve as the basis for the formation of light toxic compounds, it is important to carefully observe the entire distillation technology. At the same time, it is worth remembering that freezing the mash, as well as its chemical precipitation at home, will not allow you to get the desired result. That is why the so-called pervat is not recommended. It should just be drained.
A high-quality product will be obtained as a result of repeated distillation of raw materials, which contain sugar or berries and fruits of sweet varieties. If you use rye, wheat, corn or barley, you will need to add malt enzymes or malt, which will allow starch to be processed into sugar. When using mash, the basis of which is cider made from pears and apples, the raw material is initially filtered and then subjected to double distillation.
It should be borne in mind that the low quality of moonshine can seriously affect the health of the person who uses it. That is why the buyer should carefully consider the acquisition of a moonshine. One of the best models at the same time is the "Antonych". But in the end, it will be the future owner himself who decides which device suits the consumer in size, performance and price.