Fans of home-made alcoholic drinks are well versed in the design of moonshine stills, they know all its main parts, but that's why a steamer is needed, only an experienced distillery will answer. A partner of this common device, a bubbler for moonshine still is a special product that acts as a filter from fusel oils.
Sukhoparnik and bubbler perform the same role, but in different ways. To find out the design, principle of operation, advantages, as well as the shortcomings of this device necessary in the process of distillation of moonshine, we advise you to read our article.
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What is a bubbler in home brewing
Home distillation of mash into an alcohol-containing drink of high strength is a rather complicated process, so the experience here does not come right away: you need to not only drive out the moonshine, but also clean it of harmful impurities. Just for such purposes, additional modules are installed, for example, a sukhoparnik or his colleague - a bubbler.
When asked why such additional devices are needed in a moonshine, the answer is simple:
- The production time for a strong drink is reduced, because secondary distillation disappears - you get a high quality product from the first run.
- Cleaning is carried out without the participation of chemicals, so there is no harm to the human body.
- The strength of the final product of distillation is increased by 15-20 degrees.
- As a result, we get a rich taste of moonshine without a taste, as well as an extraneous smell.
- You can flavor the drink with natural remedies, for example, citrus peel, various spices or the aroma of dried berries or fruits.
Two bubblers are installed in the moonshine still system: one performs the function of additional purification, and the second is a storage of aromatic substances that saturate the drink with various aromas, improving its quality and taste.
In the bubbler, the unpleasant odor of the distilled liquid is eliminated, bitterness is eliminated, the product becomes softer and stronger. This happens not only due to high purification, but also because alcohol vapor and condensate collide in its case, the first ones leak through the collected moisture, and the precipitated precipitate remains inside the product, and as a result it significantly improves the quality of moonshine.
This device, like the sucker, will not allow to drive out pure alcohol 96 samples - for this you need a distillation column, but it provides a density of 60-80%.
What is a bubbler for?
The device and operation of the moonshine still is not as simple as it seems at first glance, but the activity of each component that performs various functions is aimed at improving the quality of the final product. Improved products have several cleaning modules: a steam tank and bubbler, and we have already discussed what functions they perform.
Why they are needed is explained simply: if in the first the cleaning was not completely performed for some reason, then in the second this error will be corrected. In addition, one of the modules can be used for flavoring. After passing through such a device, the taste, as well as the aroma of moonshine, improves many times over.
Previously, these devices were not used, because moonshiners considered a steam tanker or bubbler to be optional in the distillation process, and even today debates do not subside whether they are needed or not, although most experienced distillers agree on the usefulness of additional purification and aromatization of homemade alcohol.
Design and principle of operation
Structurally, a bubbler is a hermetic vessel into which two tubes go: one is lowered to the bottom, it is through it that alcohol-containing vapors enter the device, and the second enters only a few millimeters, through which the purified vapors go on for cooling and subsequent condensation.
Any bubbler manufactured at a factory or a makeshift method consists of the following parts:
- The main tank is made of stainless steel or durable tempered glass: the second option is preferable, because you can visually observe all processes and control the liquid level.
- Lid on which the vapor inlet or outlet pipes are mounted.
- Additional devices - fittings, seals, gaskets.
The principle of operation is based on the Drexel flask, which is used to flush gases and vapors from impurities. Vapors containing alcohol and fusel oils enter the product, where they are forced through a layer of water under a certain pressure, while the fusel remains in the liquid, and the alcohol-containing vapors continue their movement further along the pipeline.
The basis of everything is not to confuse the connection when assembling the moonshine: if the input is connected to a long tube, and this can easily happen when using an opaque device, the process will be disrupted, a sharp increase in pressure will occur inside, which will lead to explosion and depressurization.
A grid is installed in the container, where the fragrances are put, the vapors pass through them and are saturated with their aromas, and the taste properties of the final product also change. Bubblers can be used in the production of elite varieties of homemade alcohol, for example, whiskey, brandy, and using an infusion of special herbs, you can cook absinthe at home.
Advantages of moonshine stills with bubbler
Here are just the main advantages of using a bubbler in home brewing:
- complete purification from impurities of fusel oils;
- the strength of the final product is increased by 20%;
- You can install multiple devices in a row;
- practically does not affect the speed of distillation;
- easy to make from improvised means.
Without secondary distillation with such a device, you can produce a high quality product, and if necessary, flavoring it at your discretion - such an improvement is possible only after selection of goals. This liquid can be used for compresses, rubbing, but in no case should be taken inside.
Experienced distillers add selected tails to the new mash to increase the yield of future moonshine. If you use several bubblers, then only in the last of them you need to add flavoring agents.
findings
Bubbers are necessary in the production of home-made alcohol, it is not worth arguing here: they additionally purify the drink from fusel oils, aromatize it, improving taste and smell. Therefore, the rationality of the use of such devices is beyond doubt, and beginner distilleries should turn to senior comrades for advice if there are any doubts.
