How to Make a Whiskey Still With a Beer Keg
The production of whiskey usually goes through seven steps that can take quite a long time. The distillation process works with a professional still, made out of copper, or with a copper pot. However, when you lack money or tools, you can transform a beer keg into a kettle as a still replacement. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Beer keg
- Reciprocating saw
- Rubber stopper
- Copper tubing, 9 feet
- Rubber mallet
- Glass water carboy with cap
- Campfire stand
- Thermometer
- Soda can
Instructions
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1
Bend the copper tubing around the soda can so you get a coil. Get rid of the can and put the coil aside for a moment.
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2
Drill a hole on the top of the keg and use the saw to cut around the side of the cap. Remove the central tube from the keg by pulling it from the top.
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3
Cover the hole you just made on the keg with a rubber stopper. Drill two holes on it. One should be large enough to allow the copper tube to pass and the other one should fit the thermometer. If you cut more than you need, you can use caulk to seal any gaps that may appear.
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4
Use the rubber mallet to secure the stopper onto the keg and then insert the tube and the thermometer.
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5
Make a hole on the cap of the water carboy big enough to fit the copper tubing. Place the cap back on the carboy.
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6
Place the kettle on the campfire stand. Insert the copper tubing on the kettle through the hole on the stopper.
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7
Insert the other end of the tube into the carboy through the hole on the cap.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Always use copper tubing. It's easy to mold and gives a better taste to the product.
When operating, you'll get about 3 liters of whiskey for every 5 gallons of fermented mash you use.
Repeat the distillation process three times, at least, to get a strong drink.
Make sure use this equipment outdoors, since alcohol will evaporate and could create a fire hazard.
In some states, you must have a license to distill alcohol.
