Dangers of Moonshine – Why Beginners Should Use Sugar Wash for Distilling.
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Moonshine is a popular and type of home alcoholic drink that has been around for centuries. But you should know the dangers of moonshine…
If you drink moonshine distilled incorrectly too much it can cause alcohol poisoning, which can lead to coma and even death. We recommend sugar wash as being the best for a beginner distiller. We got into depends in this article about all positives and negatives.
How did moonshine get its name?
Ok let’s start from the beginning, the name for the corn whisky (sometimes called white lighting) came from the distillers during the prohibition time in the USA which was illegal due to tax problems. Distillers would only make this alcohol at night, working by moonlight. This hid the smoke from the fires used to heat the boilers hence moonshine.
Should you see a bottle of moonshine for sale in the bottle shop they are referring to white corn whisky that has not been aged.
The dangers of moonshine due to methanol
Moonshine is a type of alcohol where the mash is made from grains, typically corn, sugar, and yeast. It is often distilled illegally, without proper regulation or safety measures, and as a result, it can be very dangerous to consume.
From the mash, you will get methanol produced. We break down the chemical reaction in sugar wash involving methanol that happens in the process here.
Can you get poised from moonshine? Yes!
Consumption of 10ml or more of concentrated methanol is lethal. What this means is that moonshine containing 10ml of methanol is fatal.
Methanol (wood alcohol) is produced during the fermentation stage with the recipe that uses Pectin, fruits, barley, and corn products, to make whisky. This mash is distilled in a Pot Still that allows the hot vapor to pass through thumpers (optional) and then cooled to a liquid, good distillers can easily remove the volatiles/methanol in it by making cuts correctly which are foreshots and heads.
One way to minimize the risks is to use sugar wash for distilling. Sugar wash produces no methanol but does have volatiles that must be removed as foreshots and heads that are combined as one (DIY) until the distiller/brewer can make perfect cuts to separate the foreshots from the heads. The heads are then reworked back into the next batch as there is alcohol in this cut.
As a result, it is considered the safest method for making home alcohol or sugar wash moonshine. While it is a neutral spirit (90 > 95%) blended down to 38 > 41% then adding a flavor or infusion to the flavored spirit. It is a good starting point for those who are new to the process to learn all the basics including some chemistry.
Why is moonshine dangerous?
Moonshine is a type of distilled spirit that is often produced illegally. It is known for its high alcohol content, which can range from 40% to 90%. While some people may enjoy the taste and effects of moonshine, it is important to understand the potential dangers associated with making and consuming it.
Methanol Content
As mentioned numerous times, one of the biggest dangers of moonshine is methanol poisoning. Methanol is a toxic byproduct of the distillation process that can cause blindness, organ damage, and even death. Methanol is produced when the alcohol is distilled at high temperatures, and it can be difficult to remove from the final product.
Quality Control
With not enough knowledge, this can lead to inconsistency in the distillation which can be very dangerous from methanol, incorrect cleaning and so on.
With no oversight concerns, equipment maintenance, and sanitizing procedures can all fall by the wayside. These conditions make for potentially dangerous brews.
LEGAL ISSUES
The production and consumption of moonshine are illegal in many places. Even today, the production and consumption of illicit alcohol can result in legal consequences. You will need to check with your local and country laws when starting this journey.
Have a chat at your local brewing store for more information. They will steer you in the right direction.
Solution for beginners to make safe and drink moonshine
Making moonshine can be a dangerous process, as it involves the fermentation and distillation of alcohol. One of the biggest dangers of moonshine is the presence of methanol, we know what it can do and all bad stuff.
The below is the general breakdown of a sugar wash in terms of methanol. And it’s safe…
Therefore, it is important to take proper precautions when making moonshine to ensure that it is safe to drink. We want to make sure everyone is safe.
We recommend doing the following
By learning about the above. And importantly the different cuts and properly discarding the foreshots and tails, beginners can ensure that their moonshine is safe to drink and has a high alcohol content.
So… making moonshine can be a dangerous process. It’s your choice to choose a pot or reflux still.
But by starting as a beginner distiller learning the dangers of moonshine fundamentals is key! By using a sugar wash with a reflux still and learning about the distilling cuts, beginners can produce a safe and high-quality product. It is important to take proper precautions and follow best practices to ensure that the moonshine is safe to drink and free from harmful impurities.
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Last Updated on Nov 05, 2023 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.
