Comments on: An easy way to make moonshine http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html Brain candy for Happy Mutants Mon, 20 May 2013 01:33:00 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1613022 Gilbert Wham Fri, 21 Dec 2012 01:45:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1613022 Surely a brita-style filter costs more than the extra few quid it takes to buy the nice booze though? Surely a brita-style filter costs more than the extra few quid it takes to buy the nice booze though?

]]> By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1613019 Gilbert Wham Fri, 21 Dec 2012 01:43:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1613019  I've had some beautiful, £200+ a bottle grappa. But yes, paint-softening is rather apt...  I’ve had some beautiful, £200+ a bottle grappa. But yes, paint-softening is rather apt…

]]> By: pupdog http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1612227 pupdog Wed, 19 Dec 2012 23:00:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1612227 Oh definitely - filtering out the impurities from cheap vodka makes it more like 'okay' vodka. Filtering anything else just makes it funky. Potentially actually distilling again will remove some impurities (Some whiskey is 'triple stilled' and the like), but you would have to be buying some pretty rank swill to start with to make a big difference. Also, you'd have to cut your distillate, or enjoy your paint thinner... Oh definitely – filtering out the impurities from cheap vodka makes it more like ‘okay’ vodka. Filtering anything else just makes it funky.

Potentially actually distilling again will remove some impurities (Some whiskey is ‘triple stilled’ and the like), but you would have to be buying some pretty rank swill to start with to make a big difference. Also, you’d have to cut your distillate, or enjoy your paint thinner…

]]> By: Jellodyne http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1612202 Jellodyne Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1612202 Proven? No, I think we need to keep testing. Proven? No, I think we need to keep testing.

]]> By: Antinous / Moderator http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1612177 Antinous / Moderator Wed, 19 Dec 2012 22:05:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1612177 Why would you want to make homemade fake flavored booze, anyway? It's not like you can't buy a tub of crap liquor at a big box store for almost nothing. Why would you want to make homemade fake flavored booze, anyway? It’s not like you can’t buy a tub of crap liquor at a big box store for almost nothing.

]]> By: strangefriend http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1612156 strangefriend Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:47:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1612156 Well, since we're talking about illegal stuff, let me point out you can make hash oil (honey oil) with this still (though butane is the preferred solvent these days.)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_oil Well, since we’re talking about illegal stuff, let me point out you can make hash oil (honey oil) with this still (though butane is the preferred solvent these days.)  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hash_oil

]]> By: strangefriend http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1612155 strangefriend Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1612155 Also, you need to get yerself a <a href="http://www.gunsandammo.com/2012/03/08/10-quality-rifles-for-under-500/" rel="nofollow">shootin' iron</a> if you gonna be a 'shiner.  (For the Revenuers.) Also, you need to get yerself a shootin’ iron if you gonna be a ‘shiner.  (For the Revenuers.)

]]> By: Jerril http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1612124 Jerril Wed, 19 Dec 2012 21:18:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1612124  Which is very different from <i>distilling</i> it. It's also more legal! I wouldn't do it on something other than vodka though - on everything else, you'll also be filtering out what makes it not-vodka.  Which is very different from distilling it. It’s also more legal!

I wouldn’t do it on something other than vodka though – on everything else, you’ll also be filtering out what makes it not-vodka.

]]> By: Nagurski http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1612051 Nagurski Wed, 19 Dec 2012 20:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1612051 Whenever I get a batch of fruit wine that's not quite up to standard, I run it through the stove-top still and get some very nice brandy that's ready to drink. Whenever I get a batch of fruit wine that’s not quite up to standard, I run it through the stove-top still and get some very nice brandy that’s ready to drink.

]]> By: bill_mcgonigle http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611961 bill_mcgonigle Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:49:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611961 Interesting - I have a similar unit at work to remove the sodium silicofluoride from the tap water (lugging water up the stairs to the office is less interesting, water delivery is wasteful). At the same time there have been a few different chemistry experiments I'd like to do for fun (e.g. trying aerogels) and woodworking (solvent for shellac) but the government causes ethanol to cost $125 a gallon, which is beyond my hobby budget.  Heck, I even tried to buy some Everclear to use as a toothbrush sterilizer (n.b. alcohol and I don't misce) and was saddened to see my State had banned the antiseptic-grade stuff. Meanwhile, potatoes are 29 cents a pound at the produce stand... Interesting – I have a similar unit at work to remove the sodium silicofluoride from the tap water (lugging water up the stairs to the office is less interesting, water delivery is wasteful).

At the same time there have been a few different chemistry experiments I’d like to do for fun (e.g. trying aerogels) and woodworking (solvent for shellac) but the government causes ethanol to cost $125 a gallon, which is beyond my hobby budget.  Heck, I even tried to buy some Everclear to use as a toothbrush sterilizer (n.b. alcohol and I don’t misce) and was saddened to see my State had banned the antiseptic-grade stuff.

Meanwhile, potatoes are 29 cents a pound at the produce stand…

]]> By: bill_mcgonigle http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611948 bill_mcgonigle Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:37:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611948 "people died from methanol poisoning ... may have tried to distill booze from industrial alcohol?" So, denatured alcohol working just as their government intended? “people died from methanol poisoning … may have tried to distill booze from industrial alcohol?”

So, denatured alcohol working just as their government intended?

]]> By: kringlebertfistyebuns http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611914 kringlebertfistyebuns Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:10:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611914 "Paint-softening" is the most apt descriptive term for grappa I've ever read. “Paint-softening” is the most apt descriptive term for grappa I’ve ever read.

]]> By: pupdog http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611912 pupdog Wed, 19 Dec 2012 18:09:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611912 It would make it stronger for sure, not sure about better - Mythbusters did a taste test, and it seems that running your cheapo vodka through a carbon filter (like a Brita-style water pitcher) several times makes a big difference. It would make it stronger for sure, not sure about better – Mythbusters did a taste test, and it seems that running your cheapo vodka through a carbon filter (like a Brita-style water pitcher) several times makes a big difference.

]]> By: Daniel Orf http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611863 Daniel Orf Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:26:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611863 Wire up a temp controller with a thermocouple at the neck.  It's not particularly difficult especially for someone who demands this level of control. Wire up a temp controller with a thermocouple at the neck.  It’s not particularly difficult especially for someone who demands this level of control.

]]> By: Jeremy Pickett http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611858 Jeremy Pickett Wed, 19 Dec 2012 17:21:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611858 The Compleat Distiller is far and away the best modern book for hobbyists.  Also, this unit isn't worthless, but it is more work than it's worth. Not that I would know or anything. The Compleat Distiller is far and away the best modern book for hobbyists.  Also, this unit isn’t worthless, but it is more work than it’s worth.

Not that I would know or anything.

]]> By: C. Glen Williams http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611819 C. Glen Williams Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:34:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611819 Perhaps someone with a better knowledge of science than I have (or someone with a better knowledge of illegal spirit distillation — which may be the same difference) can answer this. Could a still like this be used to improve the quality of inexpensive alcohol? Granted, there may always be some amount of nastiness that will never go away due to cheap ingredients and shortcuts in the mash and original distillation — but if you ran an inexpensive bottom-shelf vodka through this sort of thing, would there be any possible improvement? Perhaps someone with a better knowledge of science than I have (or someone with a better knowledge of illegal spirit distillation — which may be the same difference) can answer this. Could a still like this be used to improve the quality of inexpensive alcohol? Granted, there may always be some amount of nastiness that will never go away due to cheap ingredients and shortcuts in the mash and original distillation — but if you ran an inexpensive bottom-shelf vodka through this sort of thing, would there be any possible improvement?

]]> By: Preston Sturges http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611817 Preston Sturges Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:33:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611817 This is made more practical by the new super yeast varieties used for fermenting to high alcohol levels.  This is a real problem on Indian reservations where people drink gallons of bucket brewed wine.  This is made more practical by the new super yeast varieties used for fermenting to high alcohol levels.  This is a real problem on Indian reservations where people drink gallons of bucket brewed wine. 

]]> By: Preston Sturges http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611813 Preston Sturges Wed, 19 Dec 2012 16:30:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611813 Masturbation is proven to be harmless.  Masturbation is proven to be harmless. 

]]> By: scruss http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611778 scruss Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:57:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611778 After the Old Italian Dudes in the neighbourhood have finished their biggest sunflower competitions, after all the tomatoes are bottled for the summer, they disappear into their garages and a sweet, paint-softening haze descends over Scarborough. I'm not sure how legal distilling grappa is here in Ontario, but those boys sure have a high old time making it. After the Old Italian Dudes in the neighbourhood have finished their biggest sunflower competitions, after all the tomatoes are bottled for the summer, they disappear into their garages and a sweet, paint-softening haze descends over Scarborough. I’m not sure how legal distilling grappa is here in Ontario, but those boys sure have a high old time making it.

]]> By: crnk http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611762 crnk Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:27:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611762  This is legal in the USA too.  The instructions I have seen for these are flavorings to add to vodka, and the store I see them for sale at is a homebrew shop that does not sell distilling equipment.  Furthermore, home distillers that I know about do not use these flavorings.  This is legal in the USA too.  The instructions I have seen for these are flavorings to add to vodka, and the store I see them for sale at is a homebrew shop that does not sell distilling equipment.  Furthermore, home distillers that I know about do not use these flavorings.

]]> By: crnk http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611757 crnk Wed, 19 Dec 2012 15:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611757  Yes, there are some 'essential oil' stills sold in the US, with obvious disclaimer about the legality of use for alcohol.  I think the Beer Nut in SLC has an automated product like this one for such things...$500 last I remember.  Yes, there are some ‘essential oil’ stills sold in the US, with obvious disclaimer about the legality of use for alcohol.  I think the Beer Nut in SLC has an automated product like this one for such things…$500 last I remember.

]]> By: GlyphGryph http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611706 GlyphGryph Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:46:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611706  Uh... isn't that true, though? I mean, there were over 40,000 deaths due (directly, not through diseases it causes) to consumption of alcohol in 2010, while there were only a little over 26,000 gun deaths. (Not counting suicide, since statistics show the availability or legality of guns doesn't actually impact the suicide rate, only the tool used) And I'd be willing to bet there is at least some portion of overlap there, too.  Uh… isn’t that true, though? I mean, there were over 40,000 deaths due (directly, not through diseases it causes) to consumption of alcohol in 2010, while there were only a little over 26,000 gun deaths. (Not counting suicide, since statistics show the availability or legality of guns doesn’t actually impact the suicide rate, only the tool used)

And I’d be willing to bet there is at least some portion of overlap there, too.

]]> By: Tribune http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611705 Tribune Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:44:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611705 So is this a device to distil water or a device that can be used "nudge nudge, wink, wink" to distil "water"?  So is this a device to distil water or a device that can be used “nudge nudge, wink, wink” to distil “water”? 

]]> By: Halloween_Jack http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611700 Halloween_Jack Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:15:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611700  Subject of <a href="http://boingboing.net/2012/09/11/the-iconic-mash-still.html" rel="nofollow">a previous post</a>; probably wouldn't work.  Subject of a previous post; probably wouldn’t work.

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611697 Dlo Burns Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:11:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611697 Peppers are a type of berry. Maybe next time you could try roasting them or just use the seeds & pith. Peppers are a type of berry. Maybe next time you could try roasting them or just use the seeds & pith.

]]> By: Dlo Burns http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611695 Dlo Burns Wed, 19 Dec 2012 13:04:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611695 I feel hung over just reading about that. I feel hung over just reading about that.

]]> By: Gilbert Wham http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611691 Gilbert Wham Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:55:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611691  One would hope not. Shit's nasty, yo.  One would hope not. Shit’s nasty, yo.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611680 niktemadur Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:20:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611680 It's about the Ke$ha. It’s about the Ke$ha.

]]> By: niktemadur http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611679 niktemadur Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:19:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611679 Forgot the last two steps: (5) ??? (6) Profit! Forgot the last two steps:

(5) ???

(6) Profit!

]]> By: Preston Sturges http://boingboing.net/2012/12/18/an-easy-way-to-make-moonshine.html#comment-1611676 Preston Sturges Wed, 19 Dec 2012 12:06:00 +0000 http://boingboing.net/?p=201391#comment-1611676 A different walnut than the American black walnut, which is toxic to other plants. A different walnut than the American black walnut, which is toxic to other plants.

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