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. Cost should not be a key factor when making moonshine. After all, not every polyvinyl chloride can withstand the effects of aggressive chemical compounds, high temperatures and other factors that arise during moonshine brewing for a long time.
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 through chemical reactions and certain manipulations, are transformed into finished silicone surfaces.
The technology used is one of the most modern. Therefore, silicone has all the necessary properties for a wide, effective and safe use in different areas:
- 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. For determining exact dimensions tubes, it is necessary to take into account the characteristics 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 retail 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, source cold water 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 mandatory 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 in order to purchase a replacement connecting element and restore the system’s functionality.
Attention, TODAY only!
Silicone as a material was obtained in the middle of the 20th century. He quickly began to advance in the chemical industry and other fields. Silicone hoses, which are flexible tubes, have now been widely used in various fields. Thanks to your physical and chemical properties Elastic silicone hoses work great in conditions where conventional rubber products cannot be used.
Characteristics
Silicone hoses can be reinforced or unreinforced, flat (smooth) or corrugated. The sleeves are reinforced with fiberglass (single or double) and textile materials. Also, for the purpose of strengthening, they can be reinforced with a metal spiral. This production technology improves the physical properties of the pipe several times.
Single fiberglass reinforcement increases endurance and reliability, double fiberglass reinforcement doubles the resistance to increased pressure. Textile materials improve resistance to bending, dynamic loads and stretching. All these indicators are successfully used to improve technologies in a particular industry.
Silicone hoses have special characteristics.
- Chemical resistance to aggressive environments. Silicone is characterized by resistance to alcohol, alkalis, salts and even gastric juice. In addition, it is phenol and oil resistant. During operation, hoses made of this material do not absorb the odors of the substances being driven and are not destroyed by them.
- Resistance to mechanical stress, bends, cracks and twists. The tubes obtained this property due to the plasticity of the main raw materials and the reinforcement of individual models.
- The composition does not contain toxic components or allergens harmful to human health. In other words, the use of such products is absolutely safe.
- No smell. Besides the fact that silicone does not absorb foreign odors, it itself does not smell of anything.
- Low adhesion, that is, a low degree of adhesion of other substances to the hose.
- Excellent resistance to high temperatures. The heat-resistant material can withstand temperatures up to 300 degrees Celsius, and some pipe models can withstand temperatures up to 600 degrees Celsius.
- Resistant to fire due to heat resistance.
- Cold Compressibility, due to which a hermetically sealed fastening is created.
- Softness and flexibility of silicone hoses. This allows them to be pulled onto larger diameter tubes.
- Ability to withstand very low temperatures(up to -60 degrees Celsius).
- The dimensions of the hose are characterized by its diameter, wall thickness and length. Depending on the purpose, the diameters of the hoses can be from 5 mm or more. The smaller the diameter of the hose, the greater the pressure of the fluid that passes through it.
- Color. The product can be transparent or colored.
- Price. The cost of silicone hoses is at least 2 times higher than the cost of products made from other materials (polyvinyl chloride).
Scope of application
Due to their practicality and reliability, silicone hoses have found application in almost all areas.
At home
Silicone hoses are widely used for watering garden plots. Reinforced models that are protected from ultraviolet rays. Silicone tubes can be used in all water purification systems. In addition, reinforced silicone hoses are used as water pipes, and ordinary transparent ones are used as precise hydraulic levels.
In medicine
Silicone has been used in the medical field for more than half a century. Sleeves made from it are productively used in laboratories and hospitals. With their help, reagents, medicines, and vitamins are transported. Conventional medical droppers are also equipped with silicone tubes. Corrugated tubes made of transparent material used in medical equipment.
It is worth noting that in medicine both silicone’s excellent resistance to aggressive environments and smooth surface material, and almost zero adhesive ability, which does not allow bactericidal particles to linger inside the tube
An important indicator when working with silicone in medicine is the fact that the material can withstand repeated air sterilization high temperature and water steam.
In production
For production purposes, silicone hoses are invaluable in assembly pumping equipment and pneumatics for transporting liquid and gas substances. They also carry out protective function(used as electrical insulation to protect against moisture). In food production, silicone hoses perfectly withstand the requirements for compliance with sanitary and epidemiological standards. They are used as protractors for bulk and liquid products such as milk, mineral water, juices, vinegar, alcoholic drinks, and oil. Food hoses can be suction, pressure and pressure-suction.
In agriculture
In modern agriculture you can't do without silicone hoses. For example, they have become indispensable in the manufacture of milking machines. They are also actively used as Consumables to agricultural machinery.
In the chemical industry
Due to their excellent resistance to various aggressive substances, silicone hoses are used to transfer chemical media between process units.
In moonshine
In the production of alcoholic beverages, silicone tubes are used, which do not spoil the taste and smell of the liquid passed through them. Silicone hoses are used both for connecting running water and for running the finished product.
How to distinguish from PVC?
As you know, PVC hoses are two or more times cheaper than silicone products. At the same time, quality indicators here are many times lower. In order to distinguish a silicone hose from a PVC product, you need to pay attention to some signs.
- When a silicone hose is set on fire, its structure does not change; light white smoke and ash of the same color are formed. When PVC is set on fire, it turns black and melts. Acrid black smoke and ash are produced.
- If you place the hose in the refrigerator, the product made of PVC will “stiffen,” while the silicone tube will remain elastic, retaining its physical properties.
- In most cases, silicone is softer than PVC, so it’s a good idea to pick up the tube and squash it. It should be clarified that modern polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is not inferior to silicone in softness. Therefore, it is more reliable to use all three verification methods.
How to choose?
The choice of silicone tube depends on the purpose of its purchase. For example, for moonshine stills and for brewing, products with a diameter of 5, 6, 8, 10 and 12 mm and a wall thickness of 1.5-2 mm are purchased. As a rule, preference is given to simple unreinforced transparent models. If hoses are purchased for hookahs and steam generators, hot air or hot water, they can be colored. Hookah pipes are thick-walled hoses. Moreover, they do not have to be red. Some manufacturers for hot water and air produce hoses made of matte blue silicone.
The most popular option purchased for aquariums are 4mm wide hoses. They are used as components for oxygen installations. The winding length is determined according to needs. It can range from 1 to 10 meters or more. For the automotive cooling system, special corrugated silicone hoses are chosen. Smooth transparent tubes are suitable for vacuum correctors. For air lines, vacuum hoses of red, blue, and purple colors are used.
To equip trunk lines Dairy industries, breweries, and meat shops choose reinforced tubes. They are used to transport finished products and raw materials: water, cereals, oils and so on.
Silicone hoses are quite easy to use and can be used at any time of the year. They are designed both for high-temperature conditions and for use in winter at critically low temperatures. They can be easily washed and replaced.
In order to make high-quality moonshine, you need to have a number of instruments and devices. The list includes the moonshine still itself, equipped with a distillation column, a steamer and a distillation cube, as well as some additional means - a thermometer, an alcohol meter, a fermentation vessel. The device itself is very important factor is tightness, reliability of joints and connections. Experienced moonshiners recommend using silicone hoses for moonshine still.
Many beginners do not pay attention to what the connecting tubes are made of, but in vain. Subsequently, this factor turns out to be important, since it affects the quality of moonshine and the durability of the structure, but most importantly, safety. Hoses should not change diameter or shape under the influence of temperature and, of course, melt.
Silicone hoses of different diameters
On sale you can find two types of hoses made of polymer material - silicone and polyvinyl chloride. The latter costs half as much, but is different low performance operation. A hose for a moonshine still made of silicone has a number of advantages:
- First of all, it is wear resistance. Silicone is durable. It can be reused many times and the quality does not deteriorate over time. It is recommended to use it provided that the device will be used from time to time, in which case the hoses must withstand maximum impact.
- It is highly resistant to temperature changes. It can be used at temperatures from 60 to 300 degrees Celsius, which is quite enough for distilling moonshine.
- Silicone has high stability to chemical compounds, even very aggressive ones. The release of such compounds is accompanied by the distillation of mash, especially at the moment when the “heads” and “tails” are selected from the original product.
- Anti-adhesive characteristics. This parameter is especially important when it comes to food products. And it represents the following: the ability for particles to stick to the surface. Silicone hoses are easy to clean, which prevents the accumulation of products and disruption of the flow and supply of liquids.
- Bioinertness. This quality helps to obtain moonshine without any pungent odors or any additional tastes that appear when using rubber pipes or PVC equipment. Silicone does not enter chemical reactions, for which it is also actively used in medical devices.
- Silicone is highly elastic, which makes it possible to connect various elements each other without interfering with cross-country ability. In addition, thanks to this factor, the products can be used repeatedly without the risk of changing shape.
- During and outside of use, silicone does not have a specific odor, which makes its capabilities much wider.
- The functionality of the hose does not change under mechanical stress.
- It does not support the development of fungus.
- It has convenient way fastenings, standard sections and characteristics, which allows you to purchase additional required quantity hose and attach it conveniently.
All these characteristics taken together give a long period use, and their low cost (at least not much higher than PVC) makes them the most rational for use in a moonshine still.
Often, when buying hoses at the market or in a small store, the seller himself does not know what exactly he is selling. In some cases, they also try to deceive people and sell them polyvinyl chloride instead of silicone, so it is very important to at least approximately understand how these two materials differ from each other.
The distinction methods are usually simple; checking can be done right on the spot. First of all, evaluate the softness of the material - silicone is easy to compress and recovers after mechanical action is completed. If the seller agrees to cut off a small piece of the hose and there is an opportunity to set it on fire, it is worth paying attention to the fact that silicone does not support combustion, unlike PVC, which smokes black and emits characteristic odors.
How to choose a silicone tube?
Currently, the range of diameters of silicone tubes that the industry offers is very large - from 2 to 50 millimeters. Typically, hoses with a diameter of 5, 6, or 8 millimeters and a thickness of 1.5-2 millimeters are chosen for a moonshine still. Depending on the design, sizes may vary, but usually their selection is not difficult.
You can purchase such tubes in a specialized store or online. Moreover, in the latter case, you can also buy other parts of the device along with the hoses. Such tubes are best used in areas between a cold water source, a distillation column and others, in particular between the still and the distiller.
Of course, no one guarantees that silicone tubing will be of superior quality. But as a rule, stores try to choose reliable suppliers. If you buy a hose in a specialized store, then its quality will most likely comply with GOST.
Installation of silicone hoses
It is very important to securely secure all connections of silicone tubes. In this case, the tightness of the installation should be maximum. It is very convenient to use a plumbing squeegee; its diameter should match internal diameter hose It is installed inside a small hole that is drilled in the lid alembic. After installation, the squeegee is tightened with outside using a nut. For reliability, it is recommended to use a rubber gasket or, even better, silicone sealant at the joints.
If you additionally secure the hose with a clamp, it will hold on stronger, as it will protect the system from depressurization when the tube expands, which occurs due to increased temperature.
It is easy to attach silicone hoses, and if necessary, they can easily be replaced with new ones, unlike copper ones. In addition, they take up a lot less space during storage and transportation.
How to properly clean silicone hoses?
By general principles Silicone tubes, like others, require cleaning after each distillation process. Despite the many benefits of silicone, product residue can accumulate in the tubing and cause off-odors when re-distilled.
Most often, rinsing with running water is sufficient, but sometimes special brushes may be needed. After washing, the hoses must be dried. In addition, hoses that show signs of wear should be replaced altogether.
If you have doubts about what to buy - silicone tubes for a moonshine still or cheaper analogues made of polyvinyl chloride - it is worth analyzing the possible losses. Such savings can lead to damage to the hoses, spoiled taste of the drink, possible leakage of the product and, as a result, fire. Therefore, this choice does not make sense.
The design of the distiller requires the presence of a number of compounds. For tightness, silicone hoses for moonshine stills are often used - they are characterized by their low cost, which does not compromise reliability. In addition to this solution, tubes made of copper or of stainless steel, but they require the use of welding or soldering, which is sometimes difficult to implement, especially in simple home devices.
1
On sale you can find 2 types of connecting hoses made of polymer material. In addition to high-quality silicone tubes, the assortment of construction stores offers their analogues made of polyvinyl chloride. They practically do not differ in appearance, but in conditions of elevated temperature they behave very unpredictably: they change shape, begin to stretch, sag and release harmful substances that affect the taste and smell of moonshine.
Silicone tubes for moonshine still
How can you distinguish food grade silicone hoses from technical PVC pipes? There are several simple methods, which will help you deal with the issue directly during the purchase. Firstly, silicone is more soft material, it is characterized by high elasticity and pliability. It is easily compressed in the hands, and after the cessation of exposure it returns to its original shape. Secondly, if you are in a store or market, ask the seller to cut a small piece of the hose and light it with a match or lighter. Silicone practically does not support combustion, and after prolonged heating a dense crust forms on it white. Polyvinyl chloride burns very well, producing copious black soot and bad smell burnt rubber.
When choosing silicone tubes for a moonshine still, you should not 100% trust the opinion of sellers, because often they themselves do not know the differences between this material and PVC and can unknowingly mislead you. You only need to focus on the listed signs and the cost of the hose - the price of silicone is about 2 times higher.
2
To avoid unnecessary losses of valuable product and ensure complete sealing of the moonshine still, you need to securely fasten the silicone tubes at the joints. To do this, it is very convenient to use a plumbing pipe, the diameter of which coincides with internal size hose A small hole is drilled in the lid of the distillation cube, into which a squeegee is installed, after which it is screwed in inside nut. For reliability, it is recommended to use a rubber gasket or silicone sealant at the joints.
Fastening silicone tubes at joints
Hoses for the distiller will stay on the drain more securely if they are additionally secured with small metal clamps. The fact is that when heated, the tube expands slightly, and this can contribute to depressurization of the system.
The use of high-quality connecting elements in the distiller is a guarantee High Quality final product, absence of foreign smell and taste.
Attaching silicone hoses for a moonshine device is very simple, and if necessary, they can be easily replaced with new ones, which cannot be said about their steel or copper counterparts. In addition, tubes from polymer materials take up much less space during storage or transportation. Physical properties food grade silicone ensures its reliability: they do not interact with alcohol and are weakly susceptible to the operating temperature of the moonshine still.
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In large stores and supermarkets you are unlikely to be deceived. Moreover, they have certificates for the products. However unscrupulous sellers In markets, PVC tubes are often passed off 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.