The moonshine still is equipped with flexible tubes. Hoses tie up alembic, steam tank and refrigeration tank. With their help, water is supplied and discharged. The tubes must be resistant to temperature changes, aggressive chemical compounds, not come into chemical contact with alcohol, and easy to clean. Silicone hose not only meets all these requirements, but also has a number of advantages over other materials.
Previously (and even now) craftsmen in the manufacture moonshine still used materials that were on hand. Tubes made of copper, brass, stainless steel and other materials were used. The moonshine still was robust construction, which could not be disassembled and thoroughly cleaned after use.
As a result, harmful particles settle on the walls of the tubes, which ultimately affects the taste and quality of the moonshine. And also many materials can react with alcohol. For example, aluminum is in contact with it. Recent studies have proven that long-term exposure to aluminum causes aging of the body and irreversible liver degeneration.
As an option, you can opt for flexible tubes. PVC hoses are widely used, although this is not the most the best choice for moonshine. Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has a number of disadvantages:
- PVC reacts already at a temperature of 65° C.
- At 100 degrees, toxic dioxides begin to be released.
- Plasticizer enters the distiller.
- During the brewing process, the hose may break and disrupt the distillation process.
Therefore, the PVC tube should be replaced with a silicone hose.
What's good about silicone?
Silicone is called a material XXI century. Unlike other flexible substances, it can withstand high temperatures. It can be used for quite a long time:
- 150 ºС - five to ten years
- 200 ºС - two to four years
- 240 ºС - 3–6 months
- 260–290 ºС - 12–36 days
- 300–350 ºC - 20–28 hours.
- 400 ºC - from 10 minutes to two hours.
In addition, this material has a number of unique characteristics:
- Adhesion resistance. Silicone does not react with alcohols. High temperature does not prevent the material from maintaining its properties and not coming into contact with other substances.
- Non-stick. No particles stick during distillation. Silicone tubes do not develop blockages that can clog them and stop the distillation process.
- Elasticity. A hose made of this material is easy to connect; it fits perfectly into the fitting and does not slip off at the most inopportune moment. Thanks to the stretchability, a smaller hose will easily fit onto a larger diameter tube.
- Low deformation. The hose can be bent, it is resistant to mechanical damage, and does not expand under the influence of temperatures.
- Sterility. Resistant to mold and mildew. Silicone has bactericidal properties.
- Transportability. A moonshine still with silicone tubes is easy to transport.
- Wide operating temperature range. Silicone can withstand not only high temperatures, but also low ones. You can safely leave the pipes at your dacha in winter without fear that they will freeze. Silicone, unlike polyvinyl chloride, does not crack.
- Protection from rodents. The problem is quite urgent if the device is left at the dacha for a long time. It can easily be damaged by uninvited inhabitants of suburban areas: mice and rats. Silicone, unlike rubber, cannot be damaged by these rodents. They don't like this stuff. The owners of the plots noticed that, for example, silicone sealants rodents avoid.
- Affordable price. Compared to copper, silicone hoses are much cheaper in cost.
How to choose a handset?
Often sellers try to sell PVC pipes under the guise of silicone hoses. Sometimes incompetent managers themselves do not realize that they are not offering silicone tubes at all, but a completely different material. How to recognize a fake?
To distinguish a counterfeit, just ask the seller to cut off a small sample and set it on fire. Fake PVC burns with a black flame with unpleasant smell, leaves soot (carbon).
Silicone does not want to catch fire; if the piece is still difficult to set on fire, then after the fire it will remain white ash. The latter proves that this is the required organosilicon compound. True, carbon is added to some types of silicone materials, which can produce black soot. There is no need to use such hoses; carbon materials are usually intended for industrial use.
If the seller does not allow you to test a piece of hose with fire, then you can try bending and stretching it. Silicone does not leave whitish marks on the folds.
If you stretch the sample and look at the light, then no impurities will be visible in the material.
Organosilicon tube, unlike PVC, does not change its properties in the freezer. Polyvinyl chloride will become hard and lose elasticity, silicone will remain elastic. It can be bent and unbent as if it had not been frozen.
Varieties of silicone
The choice of silicone materials is very large. They are used in the space, aviation, and medical industries. Today, doctors even put silicone lenses in the eye.
There are a huge number of tubes made of this material. Sometimes they are sold complete with a moonshine still, but more often distillers purchase them themselves.
There are peroxide and platinum silicone. The latter uses platinum as a catalyst. Peroxide will cost less, but during the distillation process it can release harmful substances with an unpleasant odor. After several distillations it will become cloudy rather than transparent. When exposed to ultraviolet rays, the peroxide material will turn black.
The necessary tubes can be purchased at Medtechnika stores, but it is better not to buy such things in chemical departments or construction supermarkets. They sell industrial silicone, the production of which uses unsafe catalysts.
Medical silicone has been used for half a century. It is made from high-quality material, which is accessible for sterilization and has high adhesive properties.
Medical tubes are designed to withstand repeated exposure to aggressive environments (including alcohol vapors); they are perfectly smooth on the inside. A smooth surface at the micro level is an important indicator. The tube is designed to prevent bactericidal particles from sticking to it. In moonshine brewing, the smoothness of the inner wall is also important. Microparticles will not stick to it during distillation.
When purchasing, you should pay attention to the density of the material. It starts from 0.60 cm³, but most manufacturers offer from 1 cm³. A good quality hose will have an even higher density, up to 1.36 cm³.
Experts advise purchasing only platinum silicone. Despite the fact that platinum is used in its production, it is sold at quite affordable prices. He German manufacturers material is offered from 80 to 400 rubles per square meter.
Installation of silicone hoses
Typically, tubes with a diameter of five to eight millimeters are chosen. It is very important to securely secure all product connections. They achieve perfect tightness using a plumbing fitting that fits the pipes in size. For tightness, you can use a rubber gasket or silicone sealant.
The hose can be secured with a clamp. It will protect the tube from falling out during the distillation process.
How to properly clean pipes?
Although hygienic, the tubes are cleaned after each distillation process. Silicone accumulates harmful particles over time. The material can be easily washed under strong water pressure. The hoses are easy to dry. They can be left in the sun as they do not deteriorate when exposed to direct sunlight.
Despite its durability, silicone does not last forever. Over time it wears out. Alcohol vapor increases the aging of the material. Silicone won't last a decade, it's not the right material. Therefore, if the tube shows signs of aging, replace it.
Silicone tubes for moonshine stills are used to distill the product and remove harmful substances. For cooling the distillate with water, the material is not so important as to fail running water, PVC hoses are also used.
The advantages of a silicone hose over PVC pipes are undeniable. The cost varies greatly, but it is better to choose a material that is safe for health and easy to use.
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. He also has good properties food material, 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 shipping and place your 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 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.
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. The cost should not become key factor when making moonshine. After all, not every polyvinyl chloride can withstand the effects of aggressive chemical compounds for a long time, high temperatures and other factors that arise during moonshine brewing.
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 due to chemical reactions and certain manipulations turn 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 outlets, but also many online stores offering profitable terms delivery. 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, understand by appearance Whether the product offered is a silicone or PVC hose is very difficult for the average consumer. 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 tubes for 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 funds to purchase a new connecting element, not to mention the fact that you will be forced to interrupt the process of making alcohol to purchase connecting element for replacement and restore system functionality.
Attention, TODAY only!
In large stores and supermarkets you are unlikely to be deceived. Moreover, they have certificates for their products. However, unscrupulous sellers in markets often pass off PVC pipes as silicone, since it is impossible to distinguish them by eye. Therefore, it is important to know how to choose the right hose.
Peculiarities. Eat little secret, which will help you accurately determine what material the hose is made of.
Ask the seller to cut a small piece of the hose you need and use a lighter to light it. PVC hose burns with black smoke, leaving black charring and ash. Silicone burns without soot, the ash and charring are pure white.
And in this way you will be able to determine what material is in front of you only at home, after you have already made a purchase. Place the hose (gasket) in freezer overnight/day and then look. Silicone will remain elastic even at temperatures below 20-28°C, while PVC will harden.
How to choose a silicone tube?
The techniques for determining the material are clear, but the question of how to determine the quality of a silicone tube remains open. Therefore, do not take their word for it, ask to see a certificate confirming quality.
And this is often possible only in supermarkets. The online store is also obliged to send you a document along with the hose confirming its food approval. But this point should be specified when ordering.
Installation on the device
Installing a hose on a moonshine still if there are pipes is a simple matter. When ordering/purchasing, keep in mind that you may not find an exact match to the size of the fitting, but tolerances are always indicated, for example: 8/12 mm, etc. That is, such a hose will stretch onto a fitting with an external cross-section of both 8 and 12 mm. Although, naturally, it is better to take one as close as possible to the size of the pipe.
For better fastening You can additionally secure the silicone tube to the fitting.
Advice. When using nylon mounting ties, it becomes difficult to disconnect the tubes, because cutting the clamp can damage the tube.
But this problem can be solved. To loosen the tie, you need to press (for example, with a screwdriver) the burrs on the tie at the place of the connecting fastening, while simultaneously loosening the tension.
Make sure that the silicone is not in close proximity to the fire, it can ignite, and coupled with the flammability of alcohol, a fire is not far away!
Don't be surprised if some difficulties arise when removing the tube; silicone has the property stick to» to the pipes. But after “loosening” it will come off.
you were useful information, are you ready to use silicone hoses? Tell us in the comments and like.
