In the design of a moonshine still, hoses are needed to supply water to the refrigerator and dephlegmator, as well as to drain the finished moonshine into a receiving container. It is best to use only silicone, since it is he who has the optimal characteristics for our craft. For 95% of moonshine stills you will need a silicone tube diameter 8 mm(usually the diameter of the fitting is 10, so we install our “figure eight” made of silicone under tension and everything works great).
We invite you to explore a number of features related to selection, purchase and connection these hoses to the moonshine still. Why are they so better than PVC (polyvinyl chloride) tubes and can polyurethane analogues be used?
You won't believe it. Silicone! Ideally it should be food (IRP-1338), but even the usual one is washed well after the first distillation and does not stink. Always rinse the tubes thoroughly before use, just in case.
In second place is polyurethane. It also has good food properties, but it is less convenient. It bends poorly, holds uncertainly, does not stretch. Therefore, if you are offered a silicone or polyurethane hose, then give preference to the first option.
On the third is PVC. Polyvinyl chloride quickly begins to smell bad, deform and become tan. It spoils the taste of moonshine over time and is inconvenient to use. It is better to refuse it.
Silicone. 
PVC (polyvinyl chloride). 
Polyurethane.
Where is the best place to buy a silicone hose (cheaper and 100% guaranteed)
A few places where you can actually buy a good silicone tube:
It is on Ali that you can buy a cheap and high-quality hose.
- Ali Express. The Chinese online store offers excellent tubes at prices starting from 60 rubles per meter (diameter 8 mm). There are many sellers, the quality is about the same everywhere, so look for free delivery and place an order.
- Automotive store (especially for foreign cars). I don’t know about services for Russian cars, but for foreign cars they definitely sell good silicone hoses with a diameter of 8 mm.
- In specialized moonshine stores. Small sellers can sell you a fake, but normal guys will always sell you decent material.
- Large construction stores (Leroy Merlin). And also where there is plumbing, goods for the garden and home... In general, a lot of places.
If you are not in a hurry, the easiest way is to order from China. Very low prices and decent quality.
What does a silicone hose look like and how to distinguish it
Main characteristics and distinctive features of various materials:
- Silicone transparent, whitish, soft. Stretches well. It does not burn or smoke black, and when heated it emits white ash.
- Polyurethane usually red or blue (for hot and cold water). It is harder and bends much worse.
- Everything else is PVC or other material that does not suit us.
In the video below you can see how to do it correctly distinguish silicone from PVC by igniting and burning.
I have never done this myself, but in the video everything is clearly visible and understandable. Good way!
How to connect a hose to a moonshine still and water
To connect to the moonshine still we use union. Two fittings at and two at the refrigerator. The water supply goes to the lower connection, and the water drainage goes to the upper connection.
Fastening is usually not required because silicone with a diameter of 8 mm fits normally on a 10 mm fitting. As a last resort, you can use a metal clamp (for reliability).
The hose can be connected to the tap using fitting, diverter or sealant covers. All these methods are described in detail in the publication about, so we will not dwell on this point.
The production of strong alcoholic beverages requires the presence of not only a moonshine still, a distillation column, a steamer and some other devices, but also connecting hoses. It is through these tubes that the finished product will pass, water will be supplied, removed, steam will pass through and other processes will be organized, without which the preparation of the drink will be impossible.
Novice moonshiners may not attach importance to connecting tubes, although the taste characteristics of the alcohol, strength and quality of the future drink may depend on their type, reliability and material. Experienced alcohol producers increasingly prefer systems that use silicone tubes rather than cheaper PVC analogues.
Advantages of silicone hoses
The main doubts when choosing hoses for a moonshine still lie in the choice of a silicone element or a more economical analogue, namely a PVC product. The last option is quite risky, although more budget-friendly. Not every polyvinyl chloride will be able to withstand aggressive chemical compounds, high temperatures and other related factors that are present during moonshine brewing for a long time.
There is a possibility that the tubes will simply collapse during the process of preparing the drink, and under the influence of compounds and high temperatures, some of the released substances contained in the material will end up in the product.
If we compare silicone products with other types of hoses, in particular those made of PVC, we can highlight the following advantageous features:
- Wear resistance. Silicone is quite durable and even its repeated use in a moonshine system will not deteriorate its quality. That is why, if you plan to periodically produce alcohol, then it is better to pay attention to silicone tubes, which will withstand various influences due to their initial wear resistance;
- Resistance to high temperatures and changes. The material is able to withstand severe temperature changes, and the permissible intervals can range from -60°C, and the maximum value can reach +300°C;
- Resistance to chemical compounds, including quite aggressive ones. The production of alcohol is accompanied by the release of accompanying compounds. Naturally, they are not particularly chemically aggressive, but at high concentrations and constant contact they affect the walls of the system. Silicone tubes successfully cope with this effect and do not react with the compounds present;
- Anti-adhesive characteristics. Such parameters are important for food processes, since they imply the possibility of possible particles sticking to the walls and accumulating them on the surface, and also make it easy to clean the tubes themselves. If the tubes become clogged during the distillation process, the intensity of the removal or supply of water and product is disrupted, which will negatively affect the quality of the process. When blockages accumulate, it is sometimes necessary to interrupt the process and additionally blow out and clean the connecting elements;
- Bioinertness. In preparing a high-quality alcoholic drink, not only its strength and degree of purification are important, but also its taste characteristics, which can be ruined by ordinary pipes. High temperatures, components contained in the mash, as well as some other factors, can affect the structure of the hose material, which will lead to the release of a number of substances, but not when using silicone products. They are bioinert and do not react with other solutions. Therefore, silicone is successfully used not only in food processes, but also in medicine;
- Elasticity. This quality makes it possible to connect various elements of the system with each other without compromising cross-country ability. The elasticity of silicone tubes allows the products to be used repeatedly and their shape does not change, since even with deformation the material tends to return to its original configuration;
- No specific odor, including during operation. Even with prolonged use, there is no need to worry that a foreign odor will appear or the taste will change;
- Mechanical resistance. You can bend the hose, squeeze it, but it will not lose its functionality;
- Differences in size, section, color and other external characteristics. This allows the elements to be used for a variety of fittings and structures;
- The development of fungus is not supported, which is explained by the structure of the material;
- A convenient method of fastening, since the material tends to stretch a little, although there is also the option of using adapters;
- Long term. Compared to conventional rubber, the service life of silicone tubes is several times longer. The material is absolutely not inferior to PVC products, and even in some modifications exceeds the possible service life;
- Reasonable price. Compared with copper tubes, which have high practicality and corresponding cost;
The characteristics of silicone, which are its advantageous features over other materials, are explained by a special manufacturing technology.
Special organosilicon compounds are taken as the basis, which, together with other compounds, are transformed into silicone surfaces during temperature changes, chemical reactions and certain manipulations. The technology itself is considered one of the modern ones, some stages are being modernized, and as a result such highly sought-after material is being produced. It is actively used in the food industry, medicine, everyday life and in other various processes where a reliable and safe connection is necessary.
How to choose silicone tubes
Currently, silicone hoses can be purchased in various diameters (from 2 mm to 50 mm). Typically, diameters of 5,6,8 mm and a wall thickness of 1.5-2 mm are chosen for moonshine construction. Dimensions may vary depending on the design features, but choosing the required dimensions is not difficult.
You can buy a silicone hose at specialized retail outlets or online with delivery. There are resources where you can purchase all the necessary components along with the main equipment and auxiliary devices. It is advisable to use tubes in areas between the distillation column, a source of cold water and other devices, including between the distillation cube and the distiller.
The quality of the silicone hose depends on the manufacturer, but most companies sell proven products that meet the basic characteristics.
Since not everyone can determine whether a silicone hose is made of silicone or just PVC based on its external parameters, there is a certain technique that helps determine whether the product is silicone. To do this, you can set fire to the edge of the tube and if there is a characteristic pungent odor, black smoke, then the element is not silicone, which is characterized by light smoke and the formation of white ash. This method can be used if a hose is purchased on the market, but when purchased in a specialized store, medical laboratories, including an online resource, this verification option is not relevant. Such products comply with GOSTs and established standards.
How to clean silicone hoses
The connecting tubes require regular cleaning after each distillation process. Despite the fact that silicone does not absorb odors and does not react with other compounds, there is a possibility of the formation of foreign odors due to distillation residues. Special brushes can be used to help, but most often it is enough to rinse with running water. It is important to dry the hoses; to do this, you can hang them. If the wear of the product is already noticeable, as evidenced by a change in color, loss of elasticity (this will only occur after a number of cycles), then it is better to replace it.
If you still have doubts about purchasing silicone tubes or more economical analogues, then it is worth analyzing what damage is likely due to a conventional connecting device. The main ones include: spoiled taste of the drink, interruption of the distillation process due to waste of the element, damage and other possible troubles. We must not forget about the additional costs of purchasing a new connecting hose, and if a leak occurs during the main process, then some amount of alcohol will also be lost.
If you decide to make cognac or any other drink yourself, you should prepare thoroughly. This means not only studying the recipe, but also purchasing the appropriate equipment, a moonshine still, a steamer, a distillation column and other devices, including tubes, preferably silicone ones. If all this is purchased in a specialized store, then everything you need can be purchased immediately in a kit or assembled. To obtain tasty and high-quality alcohol, you should invest a little, which will be justified after the first successful distillation process. You need to save wisely, because even such an insignificant element at first glance, like a connecting hose, can ruin all your work. Moreover, if you plan to constantly produce alcoholic beverages yourself, then the requirements for everyone leaving the system must be analyzed and fully complied with.
Almost any moonshine still is a network of nodes connected in a certain sequence. It ensures the process flows.
In this case, the important point becomes the question of what exactly can be used to connect these nodes and what effect this will have on the final product.
And in order to fully understand what hoses for a moonshine still are, what their structure is and what materials can be used for their manufacture, it is worth familiarizing yourself with the topic in all detail.
Hoses for a moonshine still are an essential element of any unit for distilling moonshine, along with and. Although they are called hoses, the same category includes tubes made of different metals.
The main purpose of this element is to transport alcohol-containing steam from one unit to another, for example, from a distillation cube to, and from it to a refrigerator.
In addition, hoses are necessary for supplying and draining water to the cooling circuit in the refrigerator and, if it is jacketed. The only model that does not use hoses to supply water to the refrigerator is this.
Design and principle of operation
The structure of steam and water pipes in a moonshine still is very simple. The product consists of a piece of tube of the required length and diameter and fastening devices at the ends.
There are two main types: threaded with a union nut and clamp.
The first is more convenient to use, more reliable, it cannot be damaged by pressure, but its installation is more expensive. If for the first you will need to weld threaded pipes onto the unit components, then for the second it is enough to equip the steam outlets with fittings, and this is much simpler. Using such a connector is not so convenient, and the clamped edges of the tube will gradually wear out as the clamp is tightened.
The principle of operation of steam and water pipes in a moonshine still is very simple, steam and liquid pass through them, but the conditions are somewhat different, which is why the requirements for their parameters differ.
The water supply system supplying water for cooling the refrigerator and the reflux condenser jacket has low pressure, and the liquid does not have an aggressive chemical effect on the wall material.
In this regard, tubes made of almost any material are suitable for its arrangement. It can be rubber, PVC, silicone or other polymer materials.
Several aggressive factors act in the steam pipeline: high temperature, pressure drops and the aggressive chemical effect of alcohol compounds.
As a consequence, the material used must be both durable and heat-resistant, but more importantly, chemically inert.
Therefore, for moonshine stills, those polymer hoses that are labeled “food grade” are used; food grade stainless steel and copper are safe metals, but they must be cleaned regularly.
What are the types
Before listing the materials from which it is best to make steam and water pipes for a moonshine still, it is worth saying which materials should not be used.
It is strictly not recommended to use it for the manufacture of steam pipelines. polymer materials without special food labeling. This category includes almost all types of rubber, with the exception of gas hoses and PVC made from simple silicone.
The fact is that upon contact with various alcohol compounds - ethanol, butyl, propyl, amyl and other alcohols - such materials form toxic substances with varying degrees of harmful effects on the body.
Also, for the manufacture of steam pipes, you cannot use aluminum, which, although it has excellent performance properties, actively forms harmful oxides from contact with alcohols.
Such tubes were used quite often in the past to connect the still and the refrigerator, which can lead to a stereotype that this is normal. Now we can list suitable materials, their strengths and weaknesses.
Silicone hoses for moonshine still
Edible varieties that are labeled differently, such as BgW or BGA, have a number of distinct properties, such as:
- Ease of processing.
- High heat resistance – more than 100 C°.
- Good flexibility, elasticity and memory of the material, due to which the hoses do not deteriorate from bending, stretching and cycles of thermal expansion and contraction.
- Light weight.
- High chemical inertness, preventing the formation of any toxic compounds.
- Transparency, which makes it possible to observe the process inside and find problem areas.
- Affordable price and wide distribution of goods on store shelves and online platforms.
Food-grade silicone also has its weaknesses.
- When heated by steam, silicone loses its elasticity, which is why steam lines will require additional support from supports or hangers.
- Easily damaged by cutting or piercing influences.
- Not the best look.
Often used to create rigid and durable connections between multiple nodes.
Otherwise, this metal has a number of strong qualities, including the following:
- High strength.
- Tremendous wear resistance and durability.
- Tremendous heat resistance.
- Almost complete chemical inertness.
Also, food-grade stainless steel has its own weaknesses, which are mainly not related to operation during the distillation of alcohol:
- Difficult to process.
- Relatively expensive.
- The larger the non-removable structure, the more difficult it is to clean.
- Heavy weight.
- A solid fragment of the unit is not as convenient to store as a collapsible one on silicone tubes.
To install water pipes, you can use almost any type of polymer or metal pipes, since the harmful substances formed there are isolated from alcohol and will not affect the final result.
How to choose the right one
Since both silicone and stainless steel have many subtypes, it is not enough just to know the name of the material. In addition, the hoses must correspond to the parameters of the moonshine still. Therefore, when choosing a product, you should adhere to a number of criteria that are of primary importance:
- Marking. You can only use food-grade varieties, but they are also divided into several categories, so it is worth checking with the seller whether the selected type is resistant to ethanol and elevated temperatures.
- Inner diameter. Although pipes and hoses are sold according to their external diameter, it is the internal diameter that must correspond to the power of the system. Too narrow will lead to increased pressure, as a result the distillate will deteriorate; if too low, the unit will also work poorly, in “half-idle” mode.
- Wall thickness. The service life of the hoses depends on it, you shouldn’t take too thin ones - they will become unusable faster, but there is no need to overpay for thick ones, the range from 1.5 to 2 mm is the most popular.
- Total length. It is better to take with a small margin, especially if you plan to install threaded connections with a union nut at the ends.
Important! Since PVC hoses, which cannot be used for the steam lines of a moonshine still, are very similar to silicone ones, to avoid getting into trouble, ask the seller if you can set the edge on fire. When PVC burns, it emits significantly more smoke and a “plastic” smell; silicone burns with white-grayish smoke and leaves behind white ash.
Modern polymer materials are distinguished by a huge range and make it possible to qualitatively equip a moonshine still with both steam and water pipes for reasonable money.
But you should not let your guard down, only “food” varieties can be used in contact with alcohol-containing substances.
Almost all of the suitable materials are modifications of silicone, but if you want greater reliability and durability, you can always fork out the cash and equip the unit with food grade stainless steel tubes.
The design of the distiller requires the presence of a number of compounds. For tightness, silicone hoses for moonshine stills are often used - they are characterized by their low cost, which does not compromise reliability. In addition to this solution, copper or stainless steel tubes are also used, but they require welding or soldering, which is sometimes difficult to implement, especially in simple home devices.
1
On sale you can find 2 types of connecting hoses made of polymer material. In addition to high-quality silicone tubes, the assortment of construction stores offers their analogues made of polyvinyl chloride. They practically do not differ in appearance, but in conditions of elevated temperature they behave very unpredictably: they change shape, begin to stretch, sag and release harmful substances that affect the taste and smell of moonshine.
Silicone tubes for moonshine still
How can you distinguish food grade silicone hoses from technical PVC pipes? There are several simple methods that will help you deal with the issue directly during the purchase. Firstly, silicone is a softer material; it is highly elastic and pliable. It is easily compressed in the hands, and after the cessation of exposure it returns to its original shape. Secondly, if you are in a store or market, ask the seller to cut a small piece of the hose and light it with a match or lighter. Silicone practically does not support combustion, and after prolonged heating a dense white crust forms on it. Polyvinyl chloride burns very well, while emitting copious black soot and an unpleasant smell of burnt rubber.
When choosing silicone tubes for a moonshine still, you should not 100% trust the opinion of sellers, because often they themselves do not know the differences between this material and PVC and can unknowingly mislead you. You only need to focus on the listed signs and the cost of the hose - the price of silicone is about 2 times higher.
2
To avoid unnecessary losses of valuable product and ensure complete sealing of the moonshine still, you need to securely fasten the silicone tubes at the joints. To do this, it is very convenient to use a plumbing squeegee, the diameter of which coincides with the internal size of the hose. A small hole is drilled in the lid of the distillation cube into which the squeegee is installed, after which it is tightened from the inside with a nut. For reliability, it is recommended to use a rubber gasket or silicone sealant at the joints.
Fastening silicone tubes at joints
Hoses for the distiller will stay on the drain more securely if they are additionally secured with small metal clamps. The fact is that when heated, the tube expands slightly, and this can contribute to depressurization of the system.
The use of high-quality connecting elements in the distiller is the key to the high quality of the final product, the absence of foreign smell and taste.
Attaching silicone hoses for a moonshine device is very simple, and if necessary, they can be easily replaced with new ones, which cannot be said about their steel or copper counterparts. In addition, tubes made of polymer materials take up much less space during storage or transportation. The physical properties of food-grade silicone ensure its reliability: they do not interact with alcohol and are slightly susceptible to the operating temperature of a moonshine still.
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It is necessary to thoroughly prepare for the process of making strong alcoholic drinks. The accessories without which it is impossible to brew moonshine must include a moonshine still, a distillation column, a steamer and a number of other devices, including connecting hoses. They are needed to release the finished product, supply water, remove and pass steam, as well as organize other processes necessary to prepare the drink according to all the rules.
Those who are going to make moonshine for the first time may think that connecting hoses play an insignificant role. However, the appearance, reliability and type of material can greatly affect the taste characteristics, strength and quality of the drink. Experienced moonshiners use systems with silicone tubes, rather than cheap PVC analogues.
Benefits of silicone
What is better to choose: silicone elements or PVC products, which are more affordable. Cost should not be a key factor when making moonshine. After all, not every polyvinyl chloride can withstand the effects of aggressive chemical compounds, high temperatures and other factors that arise during moonshine brewing for a long time.
We should not exclude the risk that during the preparation of a drink, the tubes will collapse at the most inopportune moment, and as a result of exposure of the connections to high temperatures, the hazardous substances contained in the material will enter the prepared product.
Advantages of silicone hoses:
Silicone tubes were able to acquire all of the above advantages thanks to a special manufacturing technology.
The basis for this material is special organosilicon compounds, which, when other compounds are added to them and exposed to temperature, as well as through chemical reactions and certain manipulations, are transformed into finished silicone surfaces.
The technology used is one of the most modern. Therefore, silicone has all the necessary properties for wide, effective and safe use in various fields:
- in the food industry,
- medicine,
- everyday life
- wherever you need to provide a reliable and secure connection.
Features of choice
Today, manufacturers offer many options for silicone hoses, differing in working diameter. In relation to moonshine construction, tubes with a diameter of 5, 6, 8 mm and a wall thickness of 1.5-2 mm are usually used. To determine the exact dimensions of the tubes, it is necessary to take into account the features of the system, but in most cases, products with the above dimensions are sufficient.
Place of purchase
Today, the sale of silicone hoses is carried out not only by specialized retail outlets, but also many online stores, offering favorable delivery conditions. You can find many resources on the Internet where anyone can order the necessary components, including a coil, and along with them the main equipment, as well as a number of auxiliary devices. Silicone tubing is best suited for connecting areas between the distillation column, cold water source and other devices.
Particular attention should be paid to the manufacturer of the product, as this can greatly affect the quality of the hose. But problems with this arise very rarely, since most companies offer proven products that meet all the requirements for them.
How to distinguish silicone
Unfortunately, it is very difficult for the average consumer to understand by appearance whether the product being offered is a silicone or PVC hose. But there are proven ways to find out whether a product is silicone.
To do this, you need to bring a fire source to the edge of the tube and observe what the smoke will be like. If it has an unpleasant pungent odor and is black in color, then most likely it is a fake. An original silicone hose will produce light smoke, and combustion of the material will necessarily be accompanied by the formation of white ash.
You can use this technique if you decide to buy a hose on the market. But if you purchase silicone tubes in a specialized store or medical laboratory, you will not have to resort to this method. In such places, all products comply with GOST requirements, and therefore there is no reason to doubt its authenticity.
Cleaning Rules
Each moonshine brewing cycle must be completed by cleaning the connecting pipes. Although it is known that silicone does not absorb odors or react with other compounds, the possibility of off-odors that may arise from distillation residues cannot be ruled out.
To remove them effectively, you can use special brushes. However, in most cases, simply rinsing the tubes with running water is sufficient. After removing foreign substances, the hoses must be allowed to dry; to do this, they should be suspended. If you notice serious signs of wear on the product, which can be identified by discoloration and deterioration in elasticity, you should not continue to use such tubes.
If the above facts do not fully convince you that silicone tubing is preferable to PVC hoses, think about the possible damage that can occur due to the use of a conventional connecting device. In this case, you can expect the following:
- Spoiled taste of the drink;
- The need to stop the distillation process due to a broken element connection or damage.
Also remember that you will have to spend money on buying a new connecting hose. If a leak occurs directly during the brewing of moonshine, then you will also lose a certain amount of alcohol.
The moonshine brewing process must be approached responsibly. Even such a minor detail as incorrectly selected connecting tubes can seriously affect the quality of the drink. Despite the fact that this element can be considered as an object for saving, experienced moonshiners do not recommend purchasing budget options for pipes for a moonshine system.
If they suddenly fail, not only will the taste of the alcohol deteriorate. In addition to this, you will have to spend additional money on purchasing a new connecting element, not to mention the fact that you will be forced to interrupt the process of making alcohol in order to purchase a replacement connecting element and restore the functionality of the system.
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