How to Build a Still
A still is used to make distilled alcoholic beverages and is illegal to use, but not to build, in most parts of the world. Creating your own alcohol in the United States is illegal and so you should not attempt it. The information provided here is simply to show how to build a still and should not considered in any way as an encouragement to break the law. This design is extremely simple, easy to use, and has been around for many years. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Cooking thermometer
- 1/2 gallon of table wine
- Cooking pot
- Mixing bowl
- Drinking glass - 10 ounce size
- Magnet
- Ice cubes - approximately 10 pounds
- 8 to 10 pound weight
Instructions
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How to Build a Still
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1
Check your equipment before beginning.
The magnet must be strong enough that when placed in the bottom of the drinking glass it will securely hold the glass in the center of the large cooking pot. The mixing bowl must fit snugly on top of the cooking pot. A tight seal between the mixing bowl and cooking pot is essential for success. Make certain you have a proper cooking thermometer, which can measure temperatures in excess of 212 degrees Fahrenheit. -
2
Assembling your still.
After washing all of the items, including the magnet, place the drinking glass in the center of the cooking pot. Carefully place the magnet in the glass to hold it in place during the cooking process. Put the cooking pot on your stove or burner. -
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3
Prepare your ingredients.
Pour the 1/2 gallon of wine into the cooking pot, being careful not to allow any to enter the drinking glass. (Important note: The drinking glass must be tall enough to prevent the wine from entering during the cooking process.) Fill the mixing bowl with ice, and then place the weight atop the ice. Place the mixing bowl on top of the cooking pot, making certain to achieve a good seal. The better the seal, the better your results. -
4
Begin the cooking process.
Turn on the stove or burner to high. Allow the contents to reach a temperature of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. When this temperature is reached turn the burner/stove down to a low heat. You will need to carefully control the temperature from this point forward. Very slowly allow the temperature to increase over the next 30 to 45 minutes until it reaches 212 degrees Fahrenheit. After this temperature has been attained, turn off the heat and remove the glass from the cooking pot.
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Tips & Warnings
The various elements in the wine will evaporate at different temperatures. The alcohol you are attempting to collect will evaporate at 173 degrees Fahrenheit. As the alcohol evaporates it comes into contact with the bowl filled with ice. As it condenses on the bowl it will drip back into the drinking glass. For every 1/2 gallon of wine you process you will recover approximately 3 ounces of alcohol. There are many more complex designs you can make which use a variety of different ingredients to produce alcohol. This is a simple still which can be made with household items with little or no expense.
While the result of your work will not be poisonous, it should not be considered safe to consume --- DO NOT DRINK IT. Remember, using a still to produce alcohol is illegal in the United States and most other countries of the world.
