Best still for beginners for Moonshine / Spirits
When it comes to making moonshine/distilled alcohol, choosing the right kind of still is crucial for distillation. You wondering well what is the best still for beginners?
There are several types of moonshine stills available, but not all of them are suitable for beginners. We will discuss the best still for beginners that are recommended for newbies for your batch of moonshine.
What are the best still for beginners?
Easy, there are 3 types of stills to choose from for home distilling. They are all there for a reason due to skill levels and eagerness to start this EPIC hobby.
Note – each one produces types of moonshine and needs either a wash or mash.
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Air Still
The Air Still is a compact and easy-to-use still that is perfect for aspiring rookies. The still is made of stainless steel and is designed to be used with a sugar wash. It is safe to use because it does not produce any menthol.
It is also very affordable and can be used to make a wide range of spirits, including vodka, gin, and rum.
Pros
Cons
Why Get This Still:
Get the Air Still for its simplicity, affordability, and versatility. Perfect for beginners, this compact, stainless steel still makes distillation easy and safe, allowing you to craft a variety of spirits like vodka, gin, and rum without the fuss.
Ideal for small batches and sugar washes, it’s the go-to choice for aspiring distillers looking to start their journey with confidence.
Pot Still
The Pot Still is a traditional still that has been used for centuries. It is made out of copper and is used to produce a wide range of spirits, including whiskey, brandy, and rum. You start with a moonshine mash recipe to create the flavoured alcohol.
The thing is that pot copper still is not recommended for newcomers because it requires a lot of skill and experience to use effectively. Making the mash can be complex and dealing with the distilling cuts is very important. The reason is due to the methanol produced during the distillation process.
Pros
Cons
Why Get This Still:
Choose the Pot Still for its unmatched ability to produce rich, flavorful spirits like whiskey, brandy, and rum. Perfect for experienced distillers, this traditional copper still offers superior control and quality, allowing you to master the craft of distillation.
Though it requires skill and precision, the Pot Still is ideal for those looking to create high-quality, authentic spirits with depth and character.
Reflux Still
It is the best moonshine still for a novice. It is a column still made of stainless steel and is designed to be used with a sugar wash. It is safe to use because it does not produce any menthol (sugar wash). Oh yeah.
It is also very efficient and can produce high-quality spirits with a high alcohol content. Also, it is easy to use and requires minimal skill and experience to run a still.
Pros
Cons
Why Get This Still:
Get the reflux still for its ease of use, efficiency, and ability to produce high-quality, high-proof spirits. Perfect for novices, this stainless steel still offers safe and reliable operation with minimal skill required. Ideal for creating clean, neutral spirits like vodka, it’s a top choice for beginners looking to distill with confidence and precision.
Brewing advice when getting the best still for beginners
From our brewing knowledge, the best type for a beginner is a reflux still. It is hands down the best way to be safe, efficient, and easy to use.
But it is up to you, if you are interested in a traditional pot still are also good options, but they require more skill and experience to use effectively.
What are your still needs?
Before you start shopping for a still, it’s important to consider your needs.
But it is up to you, if you are interested in a traditional pot still are also good options, but they require more skill and experience to use effectively.
How do you want your flavours & ingredients?
With the combined power of a reflux still and sugar wash, your neutral distilled alcohol will be a pure spirit. With this neutral spirit, you can add flavours to it.
These will be bottled flavour essences that can be purchased from a brew store such as whiskey, brandy, vodka, gin etc. You will mix this into your potion to make the flavour you are after.
The reason for this is to understand the brewing knowledge to your best before making alcohol from raw ingredients like a pot still. Go forth and make delicious moonshine.
Decision time – the best still for beginners is…
After considering all the options, reflux stills are a great option for a beginner distiller. It is a simple and easy-to-use apparatus that produces a supernatural high-quality, neutral spirit. This still kit is also much safer than other types of stills, such as pot stills, as it is less likely to produce harmful substances.
When combined with a sugar wash, the simple still is the best solution as minimal nasties are produced for you my young apprentice.
We highly recommend a reflux still with a sugar wash for making moonshine at home. It’s the best solution for a fresh novice who wants to try their hand at home brewing. Now you know what the best still for beginners are… go brew!
Remember moonshine is a fun hobby and sooner or later your first batch of moonshine will be ready for your friends and family. So enjoy, my friends.
Last Updated on Aug 30, 2024 by The Brew Mechanic
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With 35 years of knowledge of being a chemical engineer in alcohol manufacturing plants, my mission is to teach the next generation of home distilling alcohol brewers at a supernatural speed.
My reviews are based on real-life experiences with reflux stills, sugar wash, troubleshooting and mystical chemical reactions.
