Why Is A Moonshine Still Dangerous?

The Explosive Power Of Moonshine – Methanol and ethanol, the safe-to-consume alcohol, come out during the fermenting process of any alcoholic drink. Both are highly flammable with the potential to explode during distillation if they are not properly sealed and vented.

1. If there is a leak releasing ethanol gas in the still, the equipment used to process moonshine, a single spark could cause an explosion.
2. Without proper ventilation, a tank boiling out the toxic alcohol can easily buckle.
3. In an aluminum shed among postcard orchards in Columbia County in New York, Derek Grout inspected a collecting tank of his state-of-the-art copper-pot still.

A blocked vent had caused the tank to buckle. “I’m just kind of glad we didn’t kill ourselves,” he said with a laugh.” – Toby Cecchini, Just Don’t Call it Moonshine

Which alcohol causes blindness?

Alcohol Addiction Increases the Risk of Blindness The type of alcohol that has the potential to cause blindness is methanol. These substances can immediately damage the nervous system, including the eye nerves. Initially, it causes inflammation, followed by the death of nervous system tissue, which can cause blindness and lead to death.

The alcohol content of alcoholic beverages varies. Most types of alcoholic beverages that are drunk are types of ethanol compounds with the molecular formula C2H5OH. This type of alcohol can affect the central nervous system, so when it is drunk, it will certainly cause the person consuming it to lose consciousness, and in severe conditions, it can cause death.

In the manufacture of adulterated alcohol (self-mixed), it is often mixed with methanol (CH3OH) or benzene (C6H6). These materials can also cause poisoning and cause permanent nerve damage (blindness or death). The mixed material has been fused with alcohol and cannot be separated or decomposed.

Methanol is a type of chemical substance that can cause blindness and paralysis when it enters the body. In mild cases, benzene causes a deficiency of erythrocytes (a condition when the level of red blood cells in the body falls below the normal range) and leukocytes (a condition when the number of white blood cells in the body falls below normal).

Meanwhile, in severe cases, benzene will cause nausea and even death due to heart and respiratory system failure. For cases of sudden blurry vision, an ophthalmologist will provide maximum therapy in the form of high-dose drug injections. The therapy given aims to reduce swelling of the optic nerve due to methanol or alcohol intoxication.

Individual responses vary from therapy given; if it is not too late, sometimes visual acuity can improve, but if there has been total tissue damage, it will be difficult to return to normal so that blindness occurs. We cannot predict the occurrence of death. However, alcohol that has been mixed with methanol is very dangerous when consumed.

Consumption of 70% alcohol that has been mixed with methanol can cause blindness and paralysis. In severe cases, it can cause cardiac arrest and death, and the cases are quite common in our society. Of course, many types of cancer are also triggered by alcohol consumption.

1. Alcohol consumption can trigger cancer in several areas of the body, including the mouth, esophagus, throat, larynx (part of the respiratory system), and liver.
2. In the human body, alcohol will activate several types of enzymes that trigger the development of cancer cells.
3. Alcohol will also damage the DNA in the body so that some parts of the cells will grow and multiply uncontrollably.

Given the dangers that can cause everything from blindness to death, it is appropriate for all of us to stay away from alcohol and start living a healthy life without it. : Alcohol Addiction Increases the Risk of Blindness

Why do stills implode?

Imploding usually occurs when the ‘distillate out’ tube is submerged in the distillate being collected and in most cases in conjunction with when the customer turns the power off.

Why does homemade alcohol explode?

Here’s Why Your Homebrew Beer Explodes When Opening There’s probably no worse feeling than seeing your beloved homebrew go off like a time bomb. If this has happened to you, you probably want to know why. It’s also important to know about this if it still hasn’t happened to you, so you can avoid this problem.

Homebrew beer explodes when there is too much carbonation in the bottle. Too much carbonation can be caused by infected beer, unfinished fermentation, or too much priming sugar. Refining your brewing technique and taking good care of sanitation will prevent this from happening. If you’re worried about another homebrew beer bottle exploding in your face, you’ve come to the right place.

I’ll explain the reasons behind this and tell you how to fix those problems, so you don’t have to worry any longer.

What causes a copper still to implode?

Home Distiller Other discussions for folks new to the wonderful craft of home distilling. Moderator: Novice Posts: Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2022 1:09 pm by » Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:29 pm Hello I recently acquired a 20 gallon copper pot still built by Steven stillz if anyone is familiar. This was my first time distilling and I believe I bit off more than I could chew. During my first run the vapor came to a stop at the thumper even though the temp was more than enough to get alcohol running. I probably overfilled the thumper if that matters. I also had a fine mist vapor leak from union connecting pot to thumper. Later on the pressurized vapor blew a hole thru the paste on the cap so I cut the heat and loosened the leaky union to relieve the buildup and my still imploded. I checked for any blockages and found none. Can anyone give me causes to my problems and the appropriate action? Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:27 pm Location: Ontario by » Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:56 pm You can start by doing some reading, which will provide info as to why and what, which seems to have not been part of the learning. Mars ” I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding ” – Albert Einstein Site Mod Posts: Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm Location: North Palm Beach by » Fri Aug 12, 2022 1:00 pm When you kill the heat on the primary kettle the vapor will collapse. This collapsing will cause a vacuum and will suck liquid in the thumper back into the primary kettle. If the suction overpowers the structural integrity of the thumper walls it will collapse the walls. I’m assuming there was no vacuum break included with your purchase? Trample the injured and hurdle the dead. Novice Posts: Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2022 1:09 pm by » Fri Aug 12, 2022 1:21 pm No I’ll be sure to get a vacuum breaker next time but I still have numerous problems I need help with 1. I had the pot >190 degrees and I wasn’t seeing a drop of alcohol. The pipe leading to thumper was very hot but the pipe leaving to condenser was cool 2. It was actually the pot that imploded. Did I trigger this by opening the union? If I hadn’t I fear the pot would of exploded from the buildup.3. In the future after I cut the heat what are the appropriate actions? Thanks Distiller Posts: Joined: Sat Jan 29, 2022 2:06 pm by » Fri Aug 12, 2022 2:01 pm Once the boiler comes up to temp, vapor starts to rise up. Once the thumper comes up to temp vapor will start to exit the thumper and enter the condenser. The cause of the implosion was explained previously. Opening the boiler to atmosphere after shutting down stops vacuum which causes implosion. Site Mod Posts: Joined: Mon Jan 26, 2009 6:04 pm Location: North Palm Beach by » Fri Aug 12, 2022 3:23 pm 1. Vapor starts to form at around 190 in the primary with a 10% charge. Gotta throw some more heat at the primary is all. Needs more power because of the thumper.2. Just get a vacuum break on both kettles.3. See #2 Trample the injured and hurdle the dead. Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:27 pm Location: Ontario by » Fri Aug 12, 2022 4:10 pm wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 1:21 pm 1. I had the pot >190 degrees and I wasn’t seeing a drop of alcohol. The pipe leading to thumper was very hot but the pipe leaving to condenser was cool I assuming based on the statement not mentioning the thumper banging and thumping that the primary (pot) haven’t generated enough vapors yet to even start heating up the thumper. you’ll know when the thumper starts to be heated. Mars ” I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding ” – Albert Einstein Site Donor Posts: Joined: Tue Nov 28, 2017 1:53 pm Location: Best State in the Union! by » Fri Aug 12, 2022 9:27 pm So if you’re running a thumper here’s what happens; the alcohol turns to a vapor and enters the cold thumper. The vapor cools and drops its alcohol in the thumper.

The liquid in the thumper takes some time to heat up and soon reaches the point where alcohol in the thumper vaporizes, moving on to the cooling coils in the flake stand. At that point you have distilled the wash twice and hopefully produced some potable drink. During this process you have created an overpressure in both the boiler and thumper.

When you cut the power the over pressure dissipated and creates a vacuum. Since the piping from the boiler to the thumper is “underwater” the boiler can’t clear the vacuum created and it collapses. Next time open the union after shutting off the power. Posts: Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2016 1:30 am Location: NOLA by » Fri Aug 12, 2022 10:07 pm Can we get some pics of the setup? Details on the contents too. Alot of thick mash and grain in the still? Volumes? When people tell me I’ll regret that in the morning, I sleep till noon.

Site Mod Posts: Joined: Thu Mar 17, 2011 2:13 am Location: Northern NSW Australia by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 12:04 am Don’t feel special, newbies seem to manage this fairly regularly.for some its part of the learning curve. While this is a fun hobby things can and will go very wrong very quickly if your not paying attention.

That is why one of the number one rules is to never leave a still unattended. wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:29 pm Later on the pressurized vapor blew a hole thru the paste on the cap This is the bit that worry’s me.why did that happen ? An Implosion is a way better ending than an explosion.

Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:42 am Location: New Zealand by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 12:59 am This might be one of those rare occasion when not watching the still might have had a better outcome than watching it. Because an action was taken without allowing for the consequences, a still was destroyed.

I recall doing an experiment that demonstrated this effect when in school, long before I built a still. A leak in a still is the result of pressure. You should not have any more pressure in a still than is required to get the thumper working. A leak is a sign that you have a problem and that you need to shut down and find the restriction, but you must avoid imploding the still when you turn the heat off. Posts: Joined: Fri Feb 05, 2016 2:28 pm Location: Southeast. by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 4:38 am Sounds like there’s a blockage somewhere. You should be able to blow through all the pieces of your system assembled, cold, without back-pressure, and when assembled. Posts: Joined: Wed Mar 10, 2021 5:49 pm Location: New England, USA by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 6:55 am I was pretty surprised at how much my thumper filled up during a run. From 3/4 to near puking levels! Start low, like 50%, and you’ll be safer. I don’t think you mentioned the size of your thumper? FWIW, though I’ve tried a dozen different configurations in only about 20 runs, I would advise running in pot still for a couple runs first, then start adding components like plates, packing, and thumpers once you have a feeling for what is going on in the boiler.

Stay safe! TwoSheds Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:27 pm Location: Ontario by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 8:00 am wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:29 pm recently acquired a 20 gallon copper pot still built by Steven stillz wrote: Sat Aug 13, 2022 6:55 am I don’t think you mentioned the size of your thumper? He doesn’t mention the size of the thumper, but the site only has two sizes of thumpers 2.75 and 2.50 gal which both are way under sized for a 20 gal still.

it unfortunately that sill maker screw people over, but it the old saying, buyer be ware. Mars ” I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding ” – Albert Einstein Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Sun Jul 26, 2009 4:38 pm Location: little puffs of dust where my feet used to be by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 2:05 pm wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:29 pm I cut the heat and loosened the leaky union Loosening a union and breaking a union are two entirely different things.

1. If you can’t see the open end it may still have a seal with the nut loose.
2. Be water my friend Distiller Posts: Joined: Tue Feb 09, 2016 4:29 pm by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 3:05 pm A lot of answers have been given, some very good, but alle based on insufficient information from your side.
3. When you have a boiler with fluid and a thumper (that you did not mention in your intial setup!) filled with fluid, and you cut the heating, there can not occur an implosion of your boiler: it simply would extract all the fluid from the thumper into the boiler.

But your report seems to indicate some kind of blockage, somewhere. Both blocking the vapour from boiler to thumper and fluid from thumper to boiler. You do not give us sufficient information to help you further. Site Donor Posts: Joined: Thu May 13, 2021 12:22 am by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 6:09 pm Each inch of water in a column equals,036 psi. Depending on how high it has to pull the liquid in the thumper up to get it back to the boiler it could be enough of a vaccuum to crush the boiler.

• If there was chunky stuff in the thumper that got sucked into the tube and blocked it, then that could definiety do it.
• Edit: i looked at the 20 gal still on that site and it says its 38″ tall.
• If it pulled liquid up to the top, that be a vacuum of about 1.5 psi.
• I think that could be enough to do it.
• Last edited by on Sat Aug 13, 2022 6:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 4:48 am Location: Northern Victoria, Australia by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 6:14 pm Implosion was a risk for moonshiners distilling in the open, when sudden rain cooled the vapour in the boiler. Geoff The Baker Site Donor Posts: Joined: Wed Oct 21, 2015 7:58 am Location: The Milky Way by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 8:41 pm This one? In my opinion the vapor tube is too narrow and a liability for becoming clogged. Are you running electric or flame? Hot ethanol vapor is very explosive.

Install a valve between thumper and boiler that you can open to the atmosphere to prevent the vacuum when shutting down. Be safe! Cheers, -jonny ———— i prefer my mash shaken, not stirred ———— Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:54 pm Location: Hiding In the Boiler room of the Insane asylum by » Sat Aug 13, 2022 9:50 pm wrote: Fri Aug 12, 2022 12:29 pm I cut the heat and loosened the leaky union to relieve the buildup and my still imploded.

I checked for any blockages and found none. Can anyone give me causes to my problems and the appropriate action? Sounds like you almost relieved the vacuum in time. Next time turn the heat down to a simmer, loosen the union then cut off the heat. I’d cut the lyne arm in two and solder in a Tee and valve. Posts: Joined: Mon Mar 30, 2015 6:48 am Location: Western WA by » Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:24 am When I cut the heat, (electric element,) I open my ball valve on the top of the shoulder of the boiler. Direct air to atmosphere. No implosion problem. “Government doesn’t have the answer to the problem, government is the problem.” Ronald Reagan Site Donor Posts: Joined: Sat Feb 06, 2016 1:30 am Location: NOLA by » Tue Aug 16, 2022 2:43 am Also a I’ve always had to use a single wrap of Teflon tape on the mating surfaces/threads of the union to keep it from leaking. Just a wrap or two so it would still screw together right.

When people tell me I’ll regret that in the morning, I sleep till noon. Novice Posts: Joined: Thu Aug 11, 2022 1:09 pm by » Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:28 am Yes the still was the one pictured above. I blew through everything afterwards and couldn’t find any blockages. I did let the still sit awhile after cutting heat.

The implosion occurred right as I was loosening the union so I didn’t know if I caused it or was just late saving it. So if I run until there is little to no vapor left the risk of implosion should be zero? I’m looking into a completely new setup from north Georgia still company.

They have option for ferrule connections instead of unions and a pressure relief valve. Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Thu Dec 01, 2016 6:27 pm Location: Ontario by » Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:38 am wrote: Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:28 am So if I run until there is little to no vapor left the risk of implosion should be zero? Before buying a new one, with the above statement, and what you have experience, you need to go back and research how a pot still is run/operated, and went a thumper is attach, what the process is to operate it.

Speed will kill, but in your case, it will drain you account dry. slow down and learn what’s required to be learn to be in the hobby, otherwise, it wouldn’t be wise to be for you to participate in. A Georgia still will be no better than the Steven one.

it wasn’t a still issue you experience, it was a lack of knowledge which did the implosion, nothing to with a still. and a pressure relief valve will not save the still in operating a thumper. Mars ” I know quite certainly that I myself have no special talent. Curiosity, Obsession and dogged endurance, combined with self-criticism, have brought me to my knowledge and understanding ” – Albert Einstein Swill Maker Posts: Joined: Tue Mar 17, 2015 8:42 am by » Tue Aug 16, 2022 3:27 pm wrote: Sun Aug 14, 2022 7:24 am When I cut the heat, (electric element,) I open my ball valve on the top of the shoulder of the boiler.

Direct air to atmosphere. No implosion problem. Still 002 (2).JPG I’ve got one of these ball valves, and a check valve in parallel which will allow flow in with 1/2 psi of vacuum. If the circuit breaker were to open during a run I didn’t want to rely on being close enough to open the valve.

Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 11:54 pm Location: Hiding In the Boiler room of the Insane asylum by » Tue Aug 16, 2022 6:37 pm wrote: Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:28 am The implosion occurred right as I was loosening the union so I didn’t know if I caused it or was just late saving it.

Watch the Youtube videos of Pepple collapsing barrels. They always give it a tap on the side to start it happening. wrote: Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:28 am So if I run until there is little to no vapor left the risk of implosion should be zero? The risk of implosion is still there.

Turning the heat down to simmer first is a good practice because it allows you to open the boiler vent without a lot of vapor escaping. wrote: Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:28 am I’m looking into a completely new setup from north Georgia still company. They have option for ferrule connections instead of unions and a pressure relief valve.

Look for a copper pot that is thicker than the one you have. Pots with rings rolled into its side is stronger than a pot with smooth sides. What you needed was a vacuum relief valve. The copper pot blowing the caps paste seal is its pressure relief valve.

1. Elevate the thumper, this will make it easier for the pot to suck liquid out of the thumper.
2. If it was my dented copper pot.
3. I’d straiten it back out and use it for a thumper.
4. Site Donor Posts: Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:40 pm Location: Somewhere within the Milkyway by » Tue Aug 16, 2022 8:20 pm wrote: Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:28 am Yes the still was the one pictured above.

I did let the still sit awhile after cutting heat. The implosion occurred right as I was loosening the union so I didn’t know if I caused it or was just late saving it. So if I run until there is little to no vapor left the risk of implosion should be zero? Shut down when you’re done collecting and use some hot pads to remove the column from the boiler.

Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think. But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing. -Thomas Paine Master of Distillation Posts: Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:42 am Location: New Zealand by » Tue Aug 16, 2022 10:57 pm wrote: Tue Aug 16, 2022 4:28 am So if I run until there is little to no vapor left the risk of implosion should be zero? As long as you are boiling some type of liquid in it, it will be filled with vapor.

When liquid from the thumper gets sucked into the main pot, it is cooler than the vapor in the pot and will create even more vacuum as it speeds up the vapor collapse. Site Donor Posts: Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2021 2:40 pm Location: Somewhere within the Milkyway by » Wed Aug 17, 2022 2:15 am I got the still pictures mixed up Joe.

• I can see why you can’t simply remove head right after running it.
• Freedom had been hunted round the globe; reason was considered as rebellion; and the slavery of fear had made men afraid to think.
• But such is the irresistible nature of truth, that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.

-Thomas Paine : Home Distiller