Heating a container with a braga for the production of home-made strong drinks is carried out not only on gas, wood or electric stoves. The heater for moonshine still allows you to operate it in any place with power, without being tied to a specific point. Built-in electric heaters among homegrown distillers are becoming increasingly popular. Consider their characteristics and installation methods.
general information
The network presents many modifications of the heating elements for the moonshine still, as well as the units themselves. Craftsmen not only adapt the right equipment and compete in originality, but also create competitive products that suit the most demanding users.
Distillation cube with a built-in heater has pros and cons. Let's try to understand the weaknesses and strengths of the devices under consideration, as well as consider their varieties.
Advantages
Among the advantages, the following points are noted:
- the mobility of the unit, allowing you to use it in a separate place, without occupying the stove for several hours in a row;
- there is the possibility of mounting heaters in volumetric cubes, without the need for removal or installation on a furnace;
- no additional installation of an oversized distillation column is required, which may not fit under the hood;
- the mash gains operating temperature faster when alcohol fumes accelerate;
- can completely automate the distillation.
disadvantages
Like any device, the heater for the moonshine still has its drawbacks. These include a significant consumption of electric energy, which affects the increase in utility bills. In addition, particles of mash sometimes stick to the heater elements, which burn up. This leads to a deterioration in the taste of the final product. The price of the devices in question is higher than ordinary analogues, which also does not suit some consumers.
Device and principle of operation
A tubular electric heater (TEN) for a moonshine still includes the following parts in the design:
- a metal tube of various configurations made of stainless steel or non-ferrous metal alloys;
- internal insulator in the form of a magnesium mixture and quartz sand with a spiral thread of nichrome inside;
- output studs;
- sealing sealing sleeves;
- fixing nuts;
- output for power cable.
After assembly, sealing and electrical insulation, the unit is ready for operation. An important element in the design is a sucker for moonshine. After all, it is in it that most of the waste is collected after the haul. It is worth noting that heaters are not allowed for operation without liquid. This is fraught with the failure of the element and the risk of fire.
The principle of operation of the heating elements is based on the type of electric boiler. Current passes through the filament, heating it. The spiral gives the temperature to the internal filler, after which the walls of the tube and the working fluid are heated.
The choice of heating elements for moonshine
In order not to be disappointed in the unit, when choosing it, you need to pay attention to three important factors:
- Power. The standard indicator is 1-5 kW. The larger the volume of the cube, the more powerful the heater is needed.
- Way of functioning. You should buy a device for working in liquids.
- Form of construction. It is necessary that the heater fully enters the cube, and the working fluid (mash) covers it with the top, leaving no exposed areas.
Installation of heating elements in a moonshine still
This task is not difficult to cope with. The work consists of several stages:
- At a distance of 50 millimeters from the bottom of the cube, holes are drilled for landing fasteners, which are cleaned.
- Sealing sleeves are put on the output studs, the end-switches are inserted into the holes.
- Seals are also mounted on the outside.
- A special sealant or “epoxy” is added to the hole between the sealing elements, after which the nuts are gently tightened with moderate force.
- Connect the thermostat, if it is provided in the design.
- Isolate the compounds.
The second way to install a stainless steel heating element is welding. It is quite popular because it does not require the acquisition of additional devices if the user has a welding machine and the corresponding skills. The indicated method is not the most reliable, since the bottom seam of the cube is broken and can leak over time.
The essence of the process is to place a working clamp 5 centimeters in a pre-prepared hole. It is cut out using a special nozzle on the drill ("crowns"). Seat neatly scalded. The result will be a nest where the heater will be quietly screwed in, which after distillation can be removed back.
Temperature control
A moonshine still with a heating element and a temperature controller ensures operation without the need to turn the heater on and off mechanically. The temperature controller is available for sale, a model with an indicator of up to 140 degrees is suitable. Alternatively, you can use heaters with a rod regulator (with single or double protection).
A 95 degree temperature regulator is enough to drive the mash, since the liquid does not need to be brought to a boil. Some craftsmen, in order to avoid burning the wort, mount a combined controller. On the one hand they put an electric heater, and on the other - a steam generator. The first option is used to process sugar (liquid) mash, and with the help of the second modification thick wort is distilled.
Recommendations for beginners
If you have a desire to equip the moonshine still with a heating element, keep in mind that high-quality home-made alcoholic drinks require certain skills and the corresponding components of the equipment.
The general design of the unit must include such elements:
- Refrigeration compartment with a coil, which is required for proper distillation.
- A sukhoparnik for a moonshine still, responsible for screening sivuhi and foreign impurities.
- Reinforcement column (drawer) with filler. This part helps to obtain raw alcohol of high purity with a strength of 80-85 degrees.
- An electronic or bimetal thermometer installed in a special capsule at the top of the cube.
The thermometer in the distillation tank is necessary in order to control the process of distillation of alcohol vapor. At a temperature of 78.4-85 ° C, it begins to evaporate, and the dripping process is already planned at 65 ° C. All liquid obtained at the lower elevations refers to the “heads”. These are toxic substances saturated with methyl alcohol, acetone and other fusel additives. Such inclusions must be discarded or added to the mash at the next run.
As a rule, the first and last harmful drops make up about 10% of the distillation. An alternative way of counting is 50 milliliters for every 10 liters of brew. After reaching a temperature above 85 ° C with fumes of alcohol fusel oils are also released, causing a severe hangover, up to poisoning. With these parts (“tails”), they act in the same way as with “heads”. Remember, compliance with fire safety measures and technical recommendations is a guarantee not only of a quality product, along with the proper performance of the equipment, but also of your safety.