Distilling your own vodka

**Jin** · February 15th, 2009, 07:45 AM

Has anyone tried it?

I hear its rather simple....

**Joey** · February 15th, 2009, 01:50 PM

I've been wanting to try it for awhile, but haven't got around to it yet. Ole could probably help you in these matters

**I <3 Vodka** · August 31st, 2009, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jin

Has anyone tried it?

I hear its rather simple....

Vodka is usually produced by distilling to ~192 proof, then watered down and vodka brands are also particular about the water that they use to water down.

Depending on what the source of alcohol is, it is called different things. If it's from grain, this is called neutral grain spirit.

There is often filtration involved, but I don't remember which stage you do the filtration in. I believe it is before the water dilution.

On a side note, I believe it's illegal to distill your own spirit in the U.S. unless you're a licensed distillery.

Read up on this:
Azeotrope - New World Encyclopedia
You'll have to distill at least 3 times to get to 192 proof, and you need to discard the head to avoid aldehydes and ketones, then tails to avoid fusil oils.

You need to be careful too. As the alcohol gets stronger, it gets flammable and well, if it catches on fire, it will blow up.

**Ole** · September 1st, 2009, 08:27 PM

One you have a still, it's very simple. You can make a still yourself if you can learn to solder copper pipe. I have more than this, but you should be able to make your own still for less than $200.

Sugar wash takes a few days to make.
Put sugar wash in boiler.
Boil wash and collect the condensation.

I have a fraction column still that can be used to collect up to 93% vodka (186 proof). I normally use a pot still setup to make my vodka, because it takes less time and propane. (I use a turkey fryer for a burner)

Once it's done, I put it in jars for storage. It comes out of the still 100-140 proof, but I dilute it down to 80-100 proof then let it sit on activated charcoal for a few weeks to eliminate any flavors and fusels (non ethanol alcohols).

I can send you pics of my setup if you're interested.

You can make about 3 handles of vodka with about $10 worth of sugar if everything goes right. You'll also need to buy some sugar mash (turbo) yeast. The turbo yeast costs about $5-6 per packet. I only use about 1/4-1/3rd of a packet per 6 gallons. The instructions say to use the whole packet, but they cost $5-$6 each, and a partial packet works fine, it just takes longer for the wash to finish.

I buy my yeast from these guys:

MILE HI DISTILLING Alcohol Still MilkCan Moonshine Stills & Reflux.

**Ole** · September 1st, 2009, 08:30 PM

The place I linked also sells stills and i've heard they are nice (but kind of pricey).

I'm a hands on type of guy and would never use a still that someone else made.

**Ole** · September 1st, 2009, 08:39 PM

This is the yeast that I use most often:

Mile Hi Distilling 48-Hour Turbo Yeast Distillers yeast

Use only about 1/3rd of the package with 6 gallons of water and 15-18lbs of sugar. You don't need the clearing agent that they sell. Just let your wash sit for a few days after it's done, it will clear itself. You need to siphon off the top and try not to disturb the stuff that is at the bottom of your wash bucket (dead yeast, etc). You just want the clear wash that is at the top. Your vodka will taste better the better you take care of your wash.