Traditionally, in our country, alcoholic beverages at home are made using a moonshine. However, not so long ago, very interesting products appeared on the market, which are also perfectly suitable for this purpose. They are made of copper and are called alambiki. In this regard, many lovers of distillation of domestic alcoholic drinks have a question: “Alambik or moonshine still - which is better?”
Features of the design of moonshine
The classic equipment for distillation of alcohol used in Russia constructively consists of:
Distillation cube in which the raw material is heated.
Sealed cap with thermometer.
Steam outlet pipe.
Tube-coil.
A refrigerator in which water is poured. In this tank passes the coil.
Tanks for collecting the final product.
Sometimes the apparatus is supplemented by a distillation column. Using it, you can get very pure moonshine, devoid of any smell. Metal chips are commonly used as filler in a distillation column. In this device, heavy vapor fractions settle.
Design Features Alambika
So, alambik or moonshine - which is better? To answer this question for yourself, it is worthwhile to learn about the design features of the copper version as well. In fact, an alambic is the same distillation cube. The design of the classic model includes:
As you can see, structurally, from the moonshine still, the alambik is practically no different. Often, in addition to it, a special column is installed, which is installed between the helmet and the distillation cube. Unlike distillation, it is used to give moonshine a certain smell and taste. For this, various kinds of natural ingredients are poured into it. Alambik with a column can be used not only for the preparation of moonshine, but also for the production of essential oils. That is how in ancient times used an alambic (or moonshine for an alchemist). We learned how to get alcohol with it a little later.
Essential oils are prepared in alambike using a fairly simple technology. Water is not poured into the distillation tank, not water. In this case, for example, flower petals are poured into the column. Passing inside it, the vapor simply captures the aromatic compounds. Very often, alambiks are also used to make cognac and other expensive alcoholic beverages.
Types of Alambiks
The model described above is the classic, most popular alambic moonshine. Its device is actually simple. However, today on sale you can find slightly different varieties of this equipment. There are alambiki:
Intended for the production of whiskey. A feature of such devices is a helmet made in the form of a bulb. With their use, you can drive moonshine with a strength of up to 70 gr.
Charente. Used to distill cognac. A special container is additionally included in the design of this apparatus. Using such alambiks, it is possible to produce almost continuous distillation.
There are also alambiks with distillation columns, water traps, in a water bath, etc.
Alambik or moonshine - which is better in one case or another?
What device is better to get for making alcoholic drinks at home? In this case, it all depends on the purpose for which the device is supposed to be used.
Since alambiks are made of copper, the price of them is much higher than ordinary moonshines. The first variety of distillation devices costs about 12-25 thousand rubles. Moonshine still can be purchased for 3-10 thousand. Thus, the disadvantages of alambiks include primarily the high cost. Their advantage is that:
Moonshine expelled with their use is of better quality. The copper from which they are made absorbs many harmful substances during the distillation process. In addition, even in the absence of a column, some of them settle in a helmet.
With the use of alambika, you can cook not only moonshine, but also liqueurs, wine, etc.
Thus, in the event that you need the unit only for making moonshine, it is better to purchase an inexpensive ordinary model from stainless steel. But at the same time, you should definitely pay attention to the quality of the material used for the manufacture. Stainless steel should be food, and even better, medical. With the use of such moonshine stills, it is possible to drive a drink that is inferior in quality to that made using an alambic, only slightly.
If it is supposed to make not only moonshine, but also other, more complex drinks, of course, you should pay attention to alambik (or copper moonshine).
The best models of moonshine stills and reviews about them
Most often in our country they buy equipment of this type of brand:
Judging by customer reviews, using the latter one can drive very good moonshine, practically devoid of any smell. Also, the advantages of "Gorilychey" include ease of use and low cost.
Devices "Magarych" fans distillation of domestic alcoholic beverages are also considered very reliable. The advantage of these models is also considered excellent build quality and attractive appearance. Such a device can serve for a very long time, as it is made of thick steel. The simplicity of the design and the absence of unnecessary parts are also considered by many to be a plus for the models of this brand.
Alambik moonshine still: consumer reviews
The best equipment of this type is considered made in Portugal and Spain. It is about these models that the best reviews exist. Alambiks are made in these countries, usually by hand and are expensive. Their assembly is carried out using technologies developed in ancient times. Copper for the manufacture of such alambiks is used only the highest quality. The enterprises specializing in its production carefully monitor this.
Too inexpensive devices of this variety, many consumers do not recommend purchasing. The fact is that often these are ordinary stainless steel fakes, only decorated with copper. Consequently, the moonshine expelled in them is absolutely no different from that prepared in a traditional apparatus.
Where could I buy?
Many users are wondering where to get such an interesting moonshine. Barrels and alambiki, as well as ordinary models of stainless steel are often sold in specialized departments of the shopping center of household appliances. This equipment is also available through the Internet. A barrel is worth buying for storage, for example, made using cognac brandy.
Is it possible to make an alambik with your own hands
Making such a machine yourself is not too easy. However, with a great desire, everything is possible. Copper sheet and a minimum of skills in soldering it are all that is needed to assemble such equipment as the Alambik moonshine with your own hands. Reviews about the equipment of this type made by Russian craftsmen are often no worse than about Portuguese and Italian. But only if during its assembly high-quality material and expensive solder with the addition of silver were used. The very technology of manufacturing an alambika looks like this:
Pre-cutting. Of course, spherical distillation capacity will be problematic. But it is quite possible to give it a cylindrical shape with a smooth outline of the top and bottom.
Soldering is done.
The finished device polishes to a shine.
Thus, asking the question: “Alambik or moonshine - which is better?”, It is worth focusing first on what purpose equipment is needed for. The first variety is worth buying for those who want to try their hand at the manufacture of different types of alcoholic beverages. If you need ordinary moonshine, it is better to purchase a simple model from stainless steel.