Is It Dangerous To Distill At Home Or Make Moonshine ?

Is home distilling safe? What can go wrong?
Can moonshine make you go blind? Have you ever heard that?
Turns out home distilling can be a totally legitimate hobby, you just need to understand and follow the safety rules!
--------NOTE--------
This is just a overview!! You will need more information than this before you get stuck in! More to come soon!
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----** MUPPET MOMENT**----
My first MUPPET MOMENT has been pointed out!
The information about foreshots and methanol is pretty weak. While the practical advice (separating foreshots etc) is still a good idea the reasoning behind it is wrong. Thanks to those that pointed this out to me!
I will dedicate the time to making an entire video just on this topic in the future and will link it with a card as soon as its ready.

[@cmcocktails]

I hate blindness and death, leads to a rough day.

[@StillIt]

+Common Man Cocktails it certainly does! They are kind of pesky like that! Luckily we have the technology to avoid it haha

[@TheHotEndChannel]

Yeh it's only the uninformed that will go blind, if you do a little homework first it's safe and easy

[@notlisztening9821]

What about Hydrogen sulfide? It supposedly builds up, whenever some sort of grain is fermented and needs copper to form copper-sulfide and be able to be separated from the final product

[@StillIt]

My first MUPPET MOMENT has been pointed out! The information about foreshots and methanol is pretty weak. While the practical advice (separating foreshots etc) is still a good idea the reasoning behind it is wrong. Thanks to those that pointed this out to me! I will dedicate the time to making an entire video just on this topic in the future and will link it with a card as soon as its ready.

[@kalleklp7291]

Maybe I can help you out and elaborate on the foreshots subject. As soon as the still comes to temperature and one notices it starts to boil, the first gas will come off. These are uncondensable gasses, that simply draw off and there is nothing one can or should do about it. Then comes what we call foreshots, which are mainly Methanol and Acetone (among with a lot of other crap that we don't want). Rule number 1: If it smells like nail polish remover, chances are it is. So toss it, regardless of what amount it may be. Rule number 2: Draw them off sloooooowly. That means by the drip. Rushing through this phase will result in smearing and crappy product....it WILL. Rule number 3: Take the foreshots on EVERY run. Yes, that includes the stripping run. The crap ain't supposed to be in there, so there is no reason why one should drag them along the process. Follow these 3 simple rules, and you are off to a good start. Btw..the foreshots don't just magically dissapear, that's not how it works. They are present at all time (yes, even in the finished product). The trick is to eliminate as much as you can, during the distillation process. See them like terrorists...up to no good and a p.i.t.a. They are the reason for hangovers, regrets about the last drink (or the last 6 of them), calling in sick at work, failing to give your wife what she needs etc...so avoid them at any costs. Without them, everyone would be a master distiller and things would be easy. Unfortunately, that's not how the laws of nature work.

[@RobertSeviour1]

I'm sure this topic will go around and around then come back in where we started but here goes anywho: you can separate out discrete fractions from mixes with a fractionating column (how did they think of that name?). You can find YT videos of guys who have built magnificent, tall structures which are capable of doing this. Here is the best description I have found of the compounds present in brewers' mashes: www.diffordsguide.com/encyclopedia/198/bws/distillation-the-science-of-distillation

[@jtwildlife2979]

I can't see a Safety playlist... did you get around to doing a followup correcting to note that methanol is found throughout the cuts (but don't worry it's neglible)? That foreshots discarding gets rid of ETOH contaminated with high levels of other volatile compounds (but not really methanol)? PS: without even having gone through a lot of videos you've created this year I can see you're doing a bang-up job, contrasting with a lot of the nonsense already out there. On HD there was a discussion about the need for a proper doco that cast distilling in a good light, not a sensationalist hillbilly light. I can only see that happening in NZ. I also can't see it happening through one of the regular production companies. Having said that, you clearly have skillz to bring to the table w.r.t. camera work and production and editing. Perhaps we should just produce an indy doco?

[@OldNorsebrewery]

Distilling have been a long tradition in my country until 30 yrs ago when owning a still became illegal. Farmers used to freeze potatoes and use it later for wash and then distill it. I remember they got low 90s % abv on their first run. Myself I´m deadly afraid of blindness and death so I stick with making beer

[@BeardedBored]

Great video. I think it's awesome that you're devoting a full video to safety.

[@StillIt]

Thanks man! There is going to be a whole lot more devoted just to safety! Safety first eh?!

[@scottclay4253]

Nice to see two giants communicating so early. Love you both, and my have you grown!

[@BeardedBored]

@@scottclay4253 Yeah, we met on Reddit and started out around the same time:-)

[@scottclay4253]

Thanks, Bearded! Never seen Reddit. Your “Legalize it” was my starting point with you and Jesse had just finished cleaning run and was locking forward to running Teddy Sad’s. Both were links or posts on the HD forum if I remember correctly. I am looking forward to proposed “Breaded-n-Bored & BrewBird” conversation. Stay well and thank you for your content, always top notch and great fun. BTW-Brewbird just hit 2500 subs and was over 99000 view.

[@coolspoonful]

methanol is a one carbon alcohol, ethanol two, propanol three, butanol 4, pentanol 5, etc. When can I expect my geek points?

[@StillIt]

+E. Klingspohn nice, can't believe no one else wanted those geek points. You can collect them anytime you want. But they will be officially announced when I finally make a channel update video haha

[@leonham8105]

yeah 2 u

[@kcain64]

@@StillIt Is Methanol lighter than Ethanol?

[@Galdring]

Methanol is _slightly_ heavier than ethanol, because its molecules are more densely packed.

[@abseafoodnewcastle5252]

@@kcain64 methanol is lighter alcohol than ethanol

[@hoglundh]

Fantastic! Thanks.

[@countryboycharlie9793]

My hero looney Larry is how I heard of u keep up the great videos 👍

[@StillIt]

+charlie knight ah true? Yeah the man is awesome! I watched a bunch of his vids! Welcome and hope you enjoy :)

[@vlogbag9863]

Hi @Still It thanks for the great content... just got a noob question, what do you do with all the remaining liquid in the still after you've taken all the hearts and some of the tails? do we just throw them away? Thanks! Keep the wonderful content coming!

[@colinmcintyre1769]

I use it in the garden. I don't want to drink it, but I'm sure you can do anything you want.

[@mrmedic2012]

Hey there bearded brother! My name is Kevin from California, nice to meet you. Your videos have pushed me to continue on my distillation journey. My beer keg and control panel are ready. Quick question though. How do I prevent my boiler from running dry? I have had this happen with brewing beer, the electric heating elements are expensive lol. I assume a sight glass, your suggestions? Thanks bro, cheers!

[@StillIt]

You mean you dont want to boil the still dry? You will get used to how full it needs to be. There are calculators out there that can help you with this. A sight glass on a still does not really work.

[@mrmedic2012]

@@StillIt thanks brother, so there are calculations to prevent running dry. Can you point me in the right direction for that?

[@flizmoflom9642]

are there any testing kits or testing agents used to detect methanol and any other harmful byproducts of alcohol disstilation ?

[@wingmanalive]

Good intro video. I have TONS more to add upon request. Please ask!

[@StillIt]

You heard em crew. If you want some help take up the kind offer :)

[@c2k911]

You say the first that come out if methanol how about if u do throw away and your alcohol is smelly after you finish and gives headaches also if you throw the last parts to aswell pretty weird maybe it's the still or something

[@stormgaming1793]

How do u tell heads to heart

[@inglishill4028]

Do not let pressure build up in a still!! Yup, one of the most important. If you are designing or building your own still make sure you don't restrict the vapour path at all. Stay away from columns with valves in them and the like. A sealed unit will build pressure and become a bomb. I am sure Still It will do a video in the future showing a still blowing up :)

[@StillIt]

Yes Sir! It certainly is! To be honest I should have given that a segment all to its self rather than just mentioning it. But I will do a whole video just on that for later!

[@kalleklp7291]

Not quite...a VM still (Vapor Management), can have a valve in the takeoff branch. However, the important thing is that it HAS to have a vent to atmosphere. This can be done by simply letting the end where the reflux coil goes in, be open or if one absolutely wants a cap, drill a hole in it. No still (a vacuum still excluded), should be sealed off...or one wouldn't likely be there to test taste the batch in the boiler.

[@daveserota7571]

I am just waiting for my still to come that I bought on Wish. Hope it will work ok. Was going to use my home gas stove, but now I think I might pick up a hot plate.

[@StillIt]

Nice mate, enjoy chaseing the craft.

[@daveserota7571]

Still It hopping I won’t kill the family 🤔🤔, was going to do a easy corn mash for my fist . Any suggestions??

[@jbrunson1949]

The china stills are ok and they work,, not as good a some of the american made stuff,,, I was really thinking of the other statement you made,, you do know that most gas stoves have pilot lights, which can be just as dangerous as using the stove flame, if you have a newer stove that has the click starter for burners, no problem,, just remember if you are around gas, it is the air around you that is the problem, when it gets to a dense enough state that it could be ignited, most anything can make it blow,,, sawmill sawdust is a prime example,, if a lot of the dust is fine and a spark from an electric motor startup can set off a fire,, so keep air circulated well ,, not in a closed up room...

[@troyedwards8100]

Safety first last and always!

[@Jesepy93]

Nice video again. :) TS

[@StillIt]

Thanks man :)

[@mackdog3270]

What?? I can't use the radiator from my 1986 hybrid nissan toyota pugeot station wagon as a condenser?

[@michaelhayward7790]

Which kind of solution will destroy flammable vapour? Water and naoh?

[@HauptJager]

Good video mate. Safety first... Good idea.

[@StillIt]

Cheers mate 🥃

[@texasowl5356]

How did you do the dark/black in the background yet “pop” at the center of the camera focal point?

[@StillIt]

Black paper for background. Light above and center and below center, very close to me so the falloff means the light does not effect the background.

[@texasowl5356]

Still It oh wow. Cool. I gotta try that. Love the channel!!

[@StillIt]

Cheers mate :)

[@mattthomas4026]

This is something I'm trying to figure out. A stainless steel pot with copper column. I want the temperature gauge in the by the copper. What's a good a good seal? I thought about drilling a hole smaller then the arm of the temperature gauge and forcing it into the lid on the pot. I feel like that would show the temperature of the pot and I want the temperature of what's boiling.

[@StillIt]

+Matt Thomas a lot of people seem to have success soldering in a short length of copper that is only slightly wider than the theometer probe. Then a inch or so up the thermometer wrap Ptfe tape so that it gets thicker the further up you go. It can then be wedged in kinda like a cork ;)

[@mattthomas4026]

+Still It Ah ok I see what you're saying. I could use some really thin copper like what connects to a refrigerator or a dishwasher. That copper pipe is about the size of the probe. I think ptfe is what I refer to as Teflon tape. That white stringy stuff that goes around pipe threads for a garden hose or the kitchen sink connections.

[@StillIt]

+Matt Thomas bingo on both ;). Teflon tape is generally accepted as a "safe" material for our use.

[@jimawhitaker]

I didn't even know until today this was legal in the US ... I was searching Amazon and stumbled on a complete kit. I'm not interested but thanks for the video... everyone needs a hobby ;-)

[@kyleivy86]

Its legal to sell the tools to make them but illegal to make ☹

[@apple6ification]

I have read of people distilling aromatic tinctures using a mason jar. a whole is drilled in the lid and a rubber gasket is fitted in from the cut and split top of a dropper. A food grade copper tube is coiled and placed in a receiver. The alcohol tincture in mason jar is gitted with the lid and coil and placed in a water bath. The tincture is distilled. is this just crazy or could it be done safely. i did this once based on a book I read. How could this be done more safely, if at all. I'd like to try distilling an aromatic tincture because the aromatics are more concentrated and perhaps increases therapeutics/more concentrated. could an alembic still be used more safely?

[@apple6ification]

fitted not gitted

[@StillIt]

+donna sparkle that sounds pretty much like a small impromptu version of a gin still. I guess it would work, but the rubber is a bit of a worry. The glass is not exactly ideal either. Luckily there is a lot of innovation going on in this area. You could totally do this in a alembic/pot still. But you will need a base spirit to put into the still. For gin and the like normally it's a relfux stilled neutral/vodka. You could also have a look at "gin basket" set ups. The aromatics and botanicals are suspended in the vapour path, rather than steeped in the liquid. A "carter head" is a very attractive option too!!

[@apple6ification]

thankyou! I will look into those options :)

[@StillIt]

+donna sparkle let us know how you get on man!

[@drdzdd]

Some guys say that removing methanol from tainted alcohol is not possible and foreshots don't do the trick. It's that real? Thx all of you

[@kcain64]

Is Methanol lighter than Ethanol?

[@mubeenamjad3619]

I making a pot still. For the very first time. Just a tip needed. My pot still is stainless steel. Its kinda thin china type. How much milimiters steam out pipe should i get on the lid.

[@StillIt]

Need a little more detail. Do you mean before or after the condenser? And do you mean length or width? Hope the build is going well mate!

[@mubeenamjad3619]

Yes the widh and the length of the pipe rite out of the pot in which i will be heating the good stuff. With PID temp controlled heating elements. I am not good at brazing stuff. So was thinking to use AC copper pipe.

[@mubeenamjad3619]

I hv just ordered a shotgun condenser it was like 20bucks. Stainless . China love poor people and poor people love china

[@steveb9199]

Always throw out the first half pint on a five gallon run. That is bad stuff. Taste bad too.

[@murderinc.hunting7686]

Ethanol is the 2 carbon

[@robertbeliveau1692]

It’s all good Brotha ! Society here in the States has become so pussyfied that they look for things to bitch about ! It’s extremely sickening to watch for those of us who did the 60s and 70s ........... all but one man in my family did their time in the military ..... even lost an Uncle who died in Korea when he was only 20 ...... I catch myself saying out loud to my father that I’m glad he’s not alive to see what this country has become ! Keep doing what you do Brotha ........ we will see hobby distilling legalized before I hit the dirt ....... growing pot is becoming legal soooooo fast that hobby distilling will be on the docket for Congress soon enough !!!! Be good man , but if ya can’t be good, then, be good at it !

[@waltbraden9705]

i need to no is it the wash temp or the vapor temp we watch first run tuesday

[@StillIt]

+walt braden woooop! Awesome and good luck my man. Vapor temp. Think of vapor temp almost like abv. As the two are coralated.

[@waltbraden9705]

got it tks

[@closertothetruth9209]

i just want to make fuel for the genset and mower for fun distilling + molecular seives, i only drink low alcohol drinks really low. 2%.

[@tryharddabbler9452]

A quick question... Do you get cloudy output? What do you do if your getting cloudy moonshine output?

[@StillIt]

I have not had it cloudy off the still. Only when doing infusions. Cloudy may indicate oils from the tails creeping into other parts of the run. What size wash? What kind of still? How fast was the run?

[@tryharddabbler9452]

Still It .... I do small batches of 8 liters per run. What I have is an improvised set up. About 4-6 drops per second. Where I am at, any form of liquor is illegal. And my set up is a bit unique that what most distiller have... Like my worm, instead of copper pipes, I'm using the tubes for nebulization.

[@waltbraden9705]

thanks it all failed my homemade still was a disaster so wash went out back got re build,,it was was first try ..info good . be awhile b4 i try again got to rebuild the cap.. untill i test not jump gun on wash just to excited

[@StillIt]

+walt braden she's tricky not to rush into huh? But that's the way mate. Take your time and enjoy he process ;)

[@Waltz505]

What's the danger in cooking your mash in a turkey fryer pot?

[@AAAA-zv5pb]

10 liters of water. 3 kg sugar How many grams of yeast I need ?

[@josephatnip2398]

You really don't need much 2 of those little packets of a good champagne yeast should be more than enough for ten liters or almost 3 gallons

[@jimdent351]

What about using an aluminum pressure cooker for a pot? There is another guy on KZbin, who basically will tell you that he is a professional, and says it's okay. Even though he acknowledges that long term use will cause the aluminum to become pitted, he also insists that it cannot be carried up by the vapour. I think he's wrong myself, because if he was correct then theoretically a pot containing lead would be okay too.

[@StillIt]

+Jim Dent yeah I have seen this discussed a few times too. Honestly I can't give a definitive answer. As you say I think there is no question that it will be leeching into the backset. It is also well established that aluminium is nasty for the human body. REALLY nasty. So while I can't say for sure that it will travel up the column. I would also emphasize that I would most definitely not use it.

[@StillIt]

+Still It even if it does not travel with the vapor it still presents problems. Just not worth it dude!

[@maxischerr]

The problem with aluminium is, that it reacts with acid and right, in mash is normaly acid for a low ph. That is why you should use stainless steel (neutral), or better copper (reacts with e.g. sulfur, for better taste).

[@mickeymuddyboots]

very very useful thank you im now aware dangers metenol ethonol wow could killed myself ,, not a drinker just curious about the distill

[@jamesmediallc8933]

Hahahahaha. I remember the ole floating head days.

[@josephatnip2398]

I don't know why I'm watching this I live in the Missouri Ozarks everybody makes moonshine here and everybody pretty much uses the same recipe and everybody's product tastes just about the same there really isn't much to it

[@StillIt]

Isn't much to it? Ha hah hahaha hahahahahaha hahahahahahahaha hahahahah hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha

[@sykesgeo132]

I drink everytime i run my still lol just gotta be smart about it

[@informationalhazard5845]

I like to drop acid when I do runs lol Just gotta be smart about it

[@coreyheidbreder590]

Doesn't invisible flame mean it's poisonous?

[@StillIt]

Using flame colour to test the spirit is a pretty bad way to "test" a distillate. The idea behind the flame test is red = bad blue = good. But honestly, it's a pretty fallible test. It relies on far too many variables to be of much use. "inadvisable" flame is a little misleading I guess. Its just that it gives off very little light. So in sunlight or a well light room, it's going to be VERY hard to see the flame.

[@sith1986]

Yo, you gonna update these beginer videos with all the years of experience you've gotten?

[@gwenwood4651]

Is it legal for my husband making moonshine in West Plains mo please ancer me please

[@StillIt]

Can't tell you exactly what the laws are there. Not exactly my specialty. Sorry haha I know that's a let down. But best to check things out for your specific location.

[@mikeappleget482]

Ancer? Maybe your family should hold off on making moonshine.

[@jbrunson1949]

not absolutely positive, but I believe Mo, is one of the states that does allow the resident to make a small amount per year for their self consumption,,, it is something like 5 gallons a year,,, but if he has a fuel permit he can make it ,, as much as he wants for fuel, run lawnmowers and cars, whatever... makes it easy to get a permit if you have a homestead working, they want issue you one if you live in say downtown city.. by federal law it is illegal ,, to make for consumption,, but a couple of state laws do allow it,, check with state laws..

[@waltbraden9705]

no worries i will had to go buy the rot gut lol

[@thomasedwin1]

If you can bake a cake you can make good quality safe drinking spirits

[@StillIt]

Here is a man that can read between the lines :)

[@VestigialLung]

Well nobody else commented with it, so it looks like all my years working in chemistry labs have been good for something. Methanol is one carbon; ethanol is two.

[@StillIt]

haha nice man ;)

[@tefocharlesmodise9937]

Dude...You grew really in 3 years...LOL!

[@tefocharlesmodise9937]

Old! You grew really old.

[@CraftyZA]

1:12 - slightly disagree. Got a forum that I run on facebook. We say exactly the same as you, but added a 7th safe element. Every single commercial distillery uses silicon gaskets. It is even normal stock when buying one of those dragon column stills between each section, and just about every other commercial still. I used a silicone hose in a picture on the forum and nearly got banned. Post was removed, so I thought post was misunderstood. So I reposted with explanation that it was in fact silicone, and was threatened with a perma-ban. Silicone is related to glass. It is inert, and why it is used for these purposes. Kind of lost interest in the forum after that and started my own community in South Africa. Not close to your size, we we are a few thousand strong, with a vibrant vibe, and strong moderation with an epic team of moderators.

[@thetruckersmanifesto3873]

I only drink the four shots.

[@StillIt]

ah. . . . . .that explains it

[@51rwyatt]

I tried distilling, but I went blind AND blew up. I got better.

[@robertbeliveau1692]

Problem is ...... I already shared you on my Facebook...... I gotta go see if I can take that off ..... Jesse , America is not like was even 20 years ago ..... everyone gets their feeling hurt over nothing and our society has become quite pussified. Don’t say scary shit if you can help it please.....

[@gwenwood4651]

Or is my husband trying to kill me please let me know ASAP please please I beg you

[@StillIt]

It's definitely a safe hobby of you take it seriously and treat the process with respect :)

[@jimmymolo]

Gwen Wood 😂😂😂😂

[@JaredHani]

Get rid of moonshine

[@StillIt]

Would you like to elaborate on your position?

[@StillIt]

I guess not then.

[@JavierMedinaImagery]

Don't be shady.... Hahaha

[@StillIt]

Dont be shady!!! Im watching you dude!

[@robertbeliveau1692]

You’re gonna scare the hell outta a bunch of Americans with how you say what you say.......

[@StillIt]

Oh please let me delete this video then.......

[@robertbeliveau1692]

Still It ........ naw ...... keep the video ....... these yanks need a good eye opener !

[@StillIt]

@@robertbeliveau1692 lol dude I was joking. Honestly I can't remember exactly what I said in the video.

[@yzashakur9540]

fukin rights i want it goin around my house

[@Big_Red_Wade]

no drinking while distilling? have you not seen Moonshiners? thats basically gospel hahahahahahahahahahaha

[@chuckdontknowdoya6100]

Moonshiners is a FAKE show don't try to learn from it.