‘Lead Burns Red and Makes You Dead’ on MoonshineDVD.com “Lead burns red and makes you dead.” Ever heard the saying ” lead burns red and makes dead ” before? While it’s not nearly as popular as it once was back in the early 1900s, there are still plenty of people who use it when referring to moonshine stills.
The phrase is used to describe the flame color of moonshine when it’s set on fire. A red-burning flame usually indicates the presence of a toxic chemical or element, and as such, it should be avoided at all costs. Back in the early days of moonshining, stills were often constructed with automotive parts, such as radiators.
Unfortunately, this buildups of lead and other toxic chemicals in the moonshine. Moonshiners and consumers would use the lead burns red and makes you dead test to determine whether or not it was safe to drink. If the flame burned red, they would toss the moonshine out, believing there were toxins present.
- If the flame burned blue, it was safe to drink.
- To perform the test, moonshiners and people looking to buy moonshine would pour a small amount into a spoon and set it ablaze with a match.
- Moonshine is naturally flammable due to its exceptionally high alcohol by volume content, so it doesn’t take much effort to set it on fire.
Once the moonshine caught fire, it would produce a flame that was usually either blue, yellow or red. The conventional wisdom supporting this phrase suggests that red-burning moonshine is the direct cause of lead. When lead is present in the moonshine, it burns red; therefore, it was common belief that red-burning moonshine was produced with automotive radiators.
- But red isn’t the only ‘dangerous’ color associated with moonshine.
- If it burned yellow, it was usually tainted with some other foreign chemical.
- There are literally dozens of foreign chemicals that may trigger a yellow-burning flame.
- Ideally, moonshine should burn a smooth, clear blue with no other colors.
The problem with the lead burns red and makes you dead method is that it doesn’t reveal the presence of methanol. Methanol burns invisible; therefore, it’s not easily detected using this method. Even if a batch of moonshine burns blue, it may still contain the highly toxic chemical known as methanol.
Contents
- 1 What color flame is bad moonshine?
- 2 What color is methanol when burning?
- 3 Is it safe to drink homemade moonshine?
- 4 What color is moonshine color?
What color does moonshine burn if it’s good?
MOONSHINE FACTS | mysite Did you know when your brother-in-law makes his apple pie moonshine and it freezes that means it’s under 20 proof? An IPA beer these days is product rated at 8 proof and a regular domestic beer is 4% alcohol by volume. Did you know when you get clear corn, rye or wheat moonshine and it’s heavy with bubbles that it means it’s low in proof? Our moonshine is 150 proof before it is expertly blended to produce your favorite flavor.
So, if your brother-in-law makes his own or buys 100 proof vodka at the liquor store it is not possible for his moonshine to ever be more than 100 proof. When he puts about a quarter of that in a bottle and adds flavoring it then becomes only 25 proof. Did you know that the higher the proof of the moonshine, before adding flavoring, that less bubbles and a lighter weight is good? Water is heavier than alcohol, therefore moonshine with too much water produces a bubbly, heavy and lower grade product.
Did you know the higher the proof of the clear the less you will taste the corn, wheat or rye? So if it has heavy, sweet corn taste it’s probably 80 proof at best. Did you know that our state taxes any product put into the state store at a mandatory 44% cost to the distillery? That doesn’t include the 6% sales tax, 1% county tax or the taxes on the grain which is 225%! Did you know if the proof of a clear moonshine is high it will burn blue with a tad of orange on the top? That’s because it’s extinguishing the oxygen in the air.
If it’s low in proof it wont burn blue or hardly at all. Country Hammer Moonshine offers a top quality product, with an unmatched variety of flavors. Best of all we make it convenient and it’s totally LEGAL ! Our clear has very few bubbles, is low on water content and won’t freeze, even after we blend in the flavors.
It will always burn blue, has a smooth taste with very little burn and minimal corn taste. Any of the facts mentioned above can be verified with a Google search. : MOONSHINE FACTS | mysite
What color flame is bad moonshine?
Making moonshine alcohol is a fun hobby, it can involve the whole family (or just be a “father and son” or “father, son and grandson” activity) or it can involve some friends. Making your own moonshine alcohol can introduce you to a whole community of people who have the same passion like you, one that does not create damage, is interesting and does not require a big financial investment.
- However, if you want to properly enjoy your homemade moonshine, then you need to pay attention to how you prepare it, as well as to the ways to test your moonshine and see if it’s any good.
- Hence, before making the moonshine alcohol, you need to be careful to the next safety tips: • Always use a pure copper moonshine still.
Using copper is not just a traditional way of making moonshine, but it has huge benefits such as absorbing syntheses with sulfur, reducing bacterial contamination, has great heat transfer properties and increases the entire quality of the product. • Always use a solder without lead.
- Lead can cause health problems and, once in your organism, it is very hard to eliminate.
- Try a silver solder instead, for example.
- Always use natural ingredients (water, sugar, yeast).
- Make sure your moonshine still is very well sealed.
- Clean it with some water before using it, as this way you can also see if there are any leaks to it which might allow the alcohol vapor to escape, thus wasting your time and money.
If, however, you notice a leak during the process, try to seal it with flour paste (which is the best sealing material). If, you cannot do that, consider that the leak is still not very well sealed or find other leaks, then stop everything and do not start again until you repair your leak(s).
• Always use a collection pot made of glass, never of plastic and preferably of small mouth. And remember to place this vessel away from any fire or other form of heat. • Always dispose of the first bit of moonshine, in order to avoid contamination with methanol (which has a lower boiling point than ethanol).
Contagion with methanol can be noticed by the bad smell and taste of your moonshine and needs to be avoided, since it is toxic. Now, if you successfully made your moonshine alcohol, here are is how you properly ensure that the process went well and that you, in fact, made good moonshine: 1.
First, smell it. If you notice a weird, chemical odor, do not drink it and proceed to the second step.2. The best test is the spoon one. No matter if your moonshine smells or not weird, this test needs to be done: put some moonshine in a spoon and light it on fire. If your alcohol is: a) Red: there is lead in it, so do not drink it.
b) Yellow: you risk getting blind, so not drink it. c) Blue: best color to get, as it means you achieved your purpose of making good, safe, moonshine alcohol. d) If it has no color: basically, if it does not burn, then your process did not go as scheduled and you obtained some liquidwhich is not proper moonshine.
Does blue flame moonshine burn?
Detailed Description – Ole Smoky is a Tennessee distillery that has impressed us with their quality moonshine and flavoured whiskey releases. This bottling kicks things up a notch however, coming in at a whopping 64% ABV, or 128 proof. This is what is known as a “sugar wash moonshine” where a corn mash, left over from corn whiskey production, has sugar added and is then fermented again and distilled.
- It takes its name from the fact that when lit (something we do not recommend!) it burns a vivid blue flame.
- The coloured glass jar also reflects this.
- This is a yeasty spirit, with a pastry-led nose, and slight spiciness.
- The palate is hot with lots of pepper, sweet cereal, bread and floral notes.
- The finish is punchy and short with a lot of peppery spice.
This is a little hot when drunk by itself, but does offer delicious flavours. It excels when served over ice, or with a mixer. We’ve also had good results using this in place of over-proof rum in tiki cocktails! Not for the faint of heart, but this is a top-quality jar of moonshine!
What does it mean if my moonshine burns yellow?
Moonshine Lore Moonshine, white lightning, mountain dew, hooch, and white whiskey are terms used to describe high-proof distilled spirits that are generally produced illicitly. Moonshine is typically made with corn mash as the main ingredient.The word “moonshine” is believed to derive from the term “moonrakers” used for early English smugglers and the clandestine (i.e., by the light of the moon) nature of the operations of illegal Appalachian distillers who produced and distributed whiskey.The distillation was done at night to avoid discovery.
Moonshine was especially important to the Appalachian area. This white whiskey most likely entered the Appalachian region in the late 1700s to early 1800s. Scots-Irish immigrants from the Ulster region of Northern Ireland brought their recipe for their uisce beatha, Gaelic for “water of life”. The settlers made their whiskey without aging it, and this is the same recipe that became traditional in the Appalachian area.
Years after these initial settlers, moonshine served as a source of income for many Appalachian residents. In early 20th century Cocke County, Tennessee, farmers made moonshine from their own corn crop in order to transport more value in a smaller load.
- Moonshine allowed them to bring in additional income while at the same time cutting down on transportation costs.
- Moonshiners in Harlan County, Kentucky, like Maggie Bailey, made the whiskey to sell in order to provide for their families.
- In modern usage, the term “moonshine” ordinarily implies that the liquor is produced illegally; however, the term has also been used on the labels of some legal products as a way of marketing them as providing a similar drinking experience as found with illegal liquor.
Making Shine Distilling moonshine is a remarkably simple process, requiring four main ingredients: corn, sugar, yeast, and water. Corn can be substituted with various ingredients, including barley, rye, or fruit, but corn is most often used because it is cheap and easy to obtain.
- Some shiners used hog feed, which can be bought in large amounts without arousing suspicion.
- Without going into needless detail, the corn, sugar, and water are combined with the yeast, and the yeast processes the sugars, creating alcohol.
- The resulting mash is heated nearly to boiling, which hastens the fermentation and releases alcohol steam.
The steam is carefully filtered to remove any solid ingredients, then diverted into a device called a “worm.” The worm is a coiled copper pipe bathed in cold water, which causes the alcohol steam to condense into moonshine. Safety Alcohol concentrations above 50% ABV (alcohol by volume 101 proof) are flammable and therefore dangerous if improperly handled or stored.
This is especially true during the distilling process when vaporized alcohol may accumulate in the air to dangerous concentrations if adequate ventilation has not been provided. In our opinion and for this very reason electrically heated boilers have a distinct advantage over a boiler heated with a open flame.
In our opinion you have very little control over temperature when heating with wood or propane. Tests A quick estimate of the alcoholic strength, or proof, of the distillate (the ratio of alcohol to water) was often achieved by shaking a clear container of the distillate.
Large bubbles with a short duration indicate a higher alcohol content, while smaller bubbles that disappear more slowly indicate lower alcohol content. A common folk test for the quality of moonshine was to pour a small quantity of it into a spoon and set it on fire. The theory was that a safe distillate burns with a blue flame, but a tainted distillate burns with a yellow flame.
Practitioners of this simple test also held that if a radiator coil had been used as a condenser, then there would be lead in the distillate, which would give a reddish flame. This led to the mnemonic, “Lead burns red and makes you dead.” or “Red means dead.”Although the flame test will show the presence of lead and fusel oils, it will not reveal the presence of methanol (also poisonous), which burns with an invisible flame.
Does real moonshine light on fire?
5 Surprising Uses for Moonshine – Crystal Ridge Distillery Moonshine is in a league of its own when it comes to versatility. Moonshine is in a league of its own when it comes to versatility. Depending on the drinker’s taste and prefer ences, moonshine can be easily modified to replace other spirits. Keep readin g to learn five surprising uses for moon shine that m ight come in handy in the future. Lighter fluid Sitting around a bonfire with good friends while sipping on a jar of moonshine sounds like the perfect way to spend a cool fall or winter night outdoors.
- As it turns out, moonshine is ideal for starting the bonfire, too.
- Moonshine is a highly flammable liquid that works well as a source of fuel.
- And, unlike toxic gasoline, moonshine is made with all-natural ingredients, so whether you’re starting a bonfire or lighting your charcoal grill, you won’t have to worry about consuming toxic chemicals.
Antifreeze Most spirits need exposure to a temperature of at least -150 degrees before they freeze. Considering that moonshine is among the highest-proof spirits, it can be used as an antifreeze substance for certain things like vehicle engines or generators.
- Opting for moonshine rather than actual antifreeze will work just as well, if not better.
- Unlike commercial antifreeze products, moonshine is entirely natural and won’t cause damage to the environment.
- Pain reliever For centuries, mothers have used moonshine to calm and soothe cranky or teething babies.
Full disclosure, we do not recommend the use of alcohol for anyone under the age of 21. However, scientific studies have shown that alcohol, especially moonshine, is a very effective painkiller for its high alcohol content. You’ve probably heard of people “drinking away their pain” — it seems as though there is some truth to that! Cleaner Moonshine can be used as a safe, all-natural cleaning agent.
Simply replace your chemical-based cleaner with moonshine and clean even the dirtiest surfaces, whether it’s the shower, kitchen counter or outdoor furniture. Even better, the high alcohol content will instantly kill 99% of germs and bacteria, leaving behind a fresh, clean surface. Antiseptic Whether you’re gearing up for a weekend deer hunt or planning a camping trip, be sure to pack a bottle of moonshine just in case you find yourself with a cut or scape while out in the great outdoors.
Moonshine contains a high enough alcohol content to kill off any bacteria that may get inside of a wound. Simply pour some moonshine on it to kill the germs and bandage it up. Then, just for good measure, drink a shot or two to help with the pain. Crystal Ridge Distillery is the only moonshine distiller in Hot Springs, Arkansas.
How can you tell if moonshine is safe?
One way to test the purity of a moonshine liquor is to pour some in a metal spoon and set it on fire. If it burns with a blue flame, it is more likely safe to drink. If it produces a yellow or red flame, it is an indication of the presence of lead.
Is Blue Flame Moonshine strong?
Ole Smoky Blue Flame Moonshine Review By Richard Thomas Rating: B+ Ole Smoky Blue Flame Moonshine (Credit: Richard Thomas) Moonshine has a reputation for being rocket fuel. In truth, illicit moonshine often is fairly high octane stuff and for sound economic reasons.
- Although stories of white lightning being distilled so high as to be able to run a car off it are usually just that, stories, the proof often is high because it’s easier to haul and sell stronger stuff.
- Old Smoky Blue Flame is a legal moonshine that hits that high octane spirit nicely.
- Bottled at 128 proof (64% ABV), it’s nothing if not strong.
Yet it’s not actually rocket fuel, in that it’s surprisingly palatable, despite it’s potency. I have read that this legal, Gatlinburg-made hooch is a corn and sugar shine, although I wasn’t able to confirm that by press time. The Moonshine Although it’s light blue in the jar, the liquid is quite clear in the glass.
- The nose is sweet, creamy corn, like corn pudding that is just a little undercooked.
- There is no corn husk, grassiness to the scent whatsoever, and it’s amazingly smooth when one considers it’s 64% ABV.
- Mind you, I was tasting from a tumbler, but even so it gave me no burn whatsoever! The flavor is simple and full-bodied: thick, buttery sweet corn, but more bit sweeter than any sweet corn I’ve had.
It’s not like sugar-added, but just more intense. The finish finally brings the corn husk out, but it’s quite smooth and understated. It’s warm, but not hot and with no bite at all. Once again, this is quite a surprise for such a strong and unaged liquor.
What color is pure moonshine?
Moonshine
Type | Whisky |
---|---|
Alcohol by volume | At least 40% |
Proof (US) | At least 80° |
Colour | Clear to off-white depending on ingredients |
Ingredients | Grain (mashing), sugar (fermented water) |
Why did my moonshine turn blue?
Copper Stills and Blue Moonshine – Copper is the material of choice for moonshine stills. Nearly every experienced moonshiner uses copper for their pot stills. Not only is it easy to find, but copper is also resistant to contamination and possesses high heat transfer properties.
- However, copper may also result in moonshine coming out with a bluish tint if it’s not used correctly.
- So, why do copper stills lead to a blue-colored batch of moonshine? While it may not happen all the time, moonshiners with copper stills may experience a blue batch every once in a while.
- Basically, this is caused by the alcohol vapor corroding the copper metal.
As the copper is literally eaten away, fragments transfer into the moonshine batch, which ultimately gives it a bluish tint. It’s important to note that moonshine made with fruit is more likely to turn out blue. The highly acidic content of the fruit juice works to corrode the copper pipes faster than normal.
How hot does a moonshine still need to be?
Temperature Safety When Distilling – Distilling alcohol uses high temperatures – generally around 200 degrees Fahrenheit. High temperatures mean opportunities for accidents, so make sure that everyone who is in your distilling environment is aware of how hot your equipment will get. Controlling and monitoring the temperature will help you keep your distillery safe.
What color is methanol when burning?
2.6. Burning Characteristics and Heat Flux to Exposed Objects – Liquid fuels, such as propane, butane, naphtha, petrol, kerosene, etc. all burn with a luminous flame resulting from glowing soot particles. Pure methanol and ethanol generally burn cleanly with a bluish flame color and very limited luminosity.
In daylight, it may be difficult to spot such flames. Since water has a lower vapor pressure than methanol and ethanol, the liquid left in the burner unit will be enriched in water especially during the terminal phase of the combustion. This may result in very small and invisible flames during the last minutes before flame out.
It may therefore be anticipated that tiny flames may persist in a seemingly extinguished bioethanol heater or fire place. The user may be unaware of these flames representing an ignition source during refueling. The heat flux to an object exposed to hot flames may be expressed by: Q ˙ ” = h ( T f − T s ) + ϕ ε f σ T f 4 ( W / m 2 ), (7) where h (W/m K) is the convective heat transfer coefficient, T f (K) is the temperature of the flame, T s (K) is the temperature of the exposed surface, ϕ is the view factor, ε is the flame emissivity, and σ (5.67 × 10 −8 W/m 2 K 4 ) is the Stefan–Boltzmann constant.
- The emissivity of the flames is given by: where K (1/m) is the extinction coefficient and L (m) is the optical flame thickness.
- Methanol and ethanol burns very clean and is associated with very low extinction coefficients, typically about 0.37,
- This is an order of magnitude less than for other hydrocarbons.
For small flame thicknesses, i.e., less than a foot, the emissivity as given by Equation (8) will be low and the heat transfer (Equation (7)) will be dominated by convection. Due to the lower radiant heat losses, i.e., low emissivity, the flame temperature is generally higher for the clean burning methanol and ethanol than for other hydrocarbons.
- Estimating the heat transfer coefficient may be difficult.
- However, the range of 20–30 W/m 2 K may be appropriate for this type of natural convection,
- Assuming a flame temperature of 1500 K and a skin temperature of 310 K, this typically results in a convective heat flux of ≈30 kW/m 2,
- Exposing naked skin to this heat flux quickly heats the skin surface, and the basal layer, to temperatures associated with burn injuries,
If combustible clothing textiles are exposed to flames of this heat flux or hit by burning liquid, the fabric is pilot-ignited almost instantaneously. Burning liquid in direct contact with the body may prolong the period of high heat fluxes and result in very severe burns.
Is it safe to drink homemade moonshine?
Moonshine is a type of alcohol that is made illegally, and for that reason, it is often dangerous to drink. It is typically produced in homes or small batches in hidden locations, which means the distilleries are not always sanitary, and the ingredients can be questionable.
What color is moonshine color?
What We Love About Moonshine 2140-60 Benjamin Moore Moonshine is a sophisticated, modern pale gray with subtle blue undertones. Part of Benjamin Moore’s Off-White Collection, it amplifies the light in large, open spaces for a light and airy effect. Moonshine’s understated hint of blue-gray makes it a great choice for a unifying wall color throughout the home.
It’s the ideal neutral paint color to make traditional white trim stand out. Clean, crisp and modern, this pale gray creates a stylish backdrop for a mid-century color palette. A cool demeanor helps Moonshine to retain its gray undertones in sunlit spaces, where a warmer gray might appear greige. While it’s available in both interior and exterior paint formulations, pale neutral paint colors like Moonshine can wash out in bright sun, so we recommend it as an interior paint color.
The next time you’re ready to DIY a gray paint color, be sure to consider this popular Benjamin Moore color. Read the rest of this color review for an in-depth look at Moonshine, its undertones and the best places to use it.
What color is pure moonshine?
Moonshine
Type | Whisky |
---|---|
Alcohol by volume | At least 40% |
Proof (US) | At least 80° |
Colour | Clear to off-white depending on ingredients |
Ingredients | Grain (mashing), sugar (fermented water) |
What color can moonshine be?
Why Is Moonshine Clear? – Since moonshine is clear a lot of people think that it is made though a different process than legal liquor whiskey. Legal store bought whiskey- jim beam, jack Daniels, Tullamore Dew, any legal whiskey- is clear as moonshine when it comes out of a still. All whiskeys begin as a clear spirit- it isn’t until whiskey is aged in wooden barrels that it takes on darker colors.