Why use copper stills when making moonshine?
Most distillers – even current ones – have long used copper stills when producing alcohol. Why is copper preferred compared to other metals?
One major reason is to preserve the tradition of using copper. Also, copper possesses numerous characteristics that make it easy and beneficial to use.
Stills could be made from iron, aluminum, glass, steel, brass and clay. The best alcohol stills are either made from stainless steel or copper because both are effective heat conductors and do not allow harmful chemicals to infiltrate the distilled spirit.
Plus, copper has been used in distilling alcohol for numerous years. It is also able to react on a molecular level with alcohol thus making the taste of distilled spirits better.
Copper also reacts with sulfur – an element that has a foul taste and is naturally created when yeast ferments. During the distillation process, sulfur binds with copper and produces hydrogen sulfide thus forming copper sulfate. This sticks to the copper making it critical to clean and thoroughly scrub the still after every use. The cleaning makes the copper better since the smell of rotten egg is removed. Better flush that stench out than have it included in your liquor.
Using copper is also beneficial. Besides copper stills, copper cookware has similarly been used for centuries. It also gives the impression of quality and age-old tradition.
Essentially, copper when used in cooking, conducts heat efficiently. Aluminum cookware comes in close second. Copper conducts heat at the core metal in most cookware utensils. It also doesn’t develop hot spots and offers even cooking. It also allows heat to travel through the sides of the utensils thereby thoroughly distributing the heat. Chefs and professional cooks prefer copper as doing so allows precise temperatures to be easily maintained.
However, copper pots are toxic and it could leach into food. Thus, they are usually lined with stainless steel.
Overall, copper cookware is generally safe to use. Their linings could also be replaced if they are damaged. They are also light to handle. Compared to cast iron cookware which are heavy for daily use, copper has an even weight. Meanwhile, titanium pans are too light they feel flimsy while copper is generally easy to handle.
Aesthetic-wise, people prefer copper because of its sheer luminosity. Technically, copper stills could be considered as functional art. It also brings out the beauty of any kitchen specially when copper cookware is hanging from a rack.
All in all, copper stills as well as copper cookware are must-haves in kitchens and homes of those who prefer to not just see art but want to cook or distill with it. The presence of copper stills in homes does not necessarily mean it is illegal. Unless you are distilling alcohol with it, such stills are fine to own. If you do decide to distill alcohol, you simply need to acquire a license to do so.
One major reason is to preserve the tradition of using copper. Also, copper possesses numerous characteristics that make it easy and beneficial to use.
Stills could be made from iron, aluminum, glass, steel, brass and clay. The best alcohol stills are either made from stainless steel or copper because both are effective heat conductors and do not allow harmful chemicals to infiltrate the distilled spirit.
Plus, copper has been used in distilling alcohol for numerous years. It is also able to react on a molecular level with alcohol thus making the taste of distilled spirits better.
Copper also reacts with sulfur – an element that has a foul taste and is naturally created when yeast ferments. During the distillation process, sulfur binds with copper and produces hydrogen sulfide thus forming copper sulfate. This sticks to the copper making it critical to clean and thoroughly scrub the still after every use. The cleaning makes the copper better since the smell of rotten egg is removed. Better flush that stench out than have it included in your liquor.
Using copper is also beneficial. Besides copper stills, copper cookware has similarly been used for centuries. It also gives the impression of quality and age-old tradition.
Essentially, copper when used in cooking, conducts heat efficiently. Aluminum cookware comes in close second. Copper conducts heat at the core metal in most cookware utensils. It also doesn’t develop hot spots and offers even cooking. It also allows heat to travel through the sides of the utensils thereby thoroughly distributing the heat. Chefs and professional cooks prefer copper as doing so allows precise temperatures to be easily maintained.
However, copper pots are toxic and it could leach into food. Thus, they are usually lined with stainless steel.
Overall, copper cookware is generally safe to use. Their linings could also be replaced if they are damaged. They are also light to handle. Compared to cast iron cookware which are heavy for daily use, copper has an even weight. Meanwhile, titanium pans are too light they feel flimsy while copper is generally easy to handle.
Aesthetic-wise, people prefer copper because of its sheer luminosity. Technically, copper stills could be considered as functional art. It also brings out the beauty of any kitchen specially when copper cookware is hanging from a rack.
All in all, copper stills as well as copper cookware are must-haves in kitchens and homes of those who prefer to not just see art but want to cook or distill with it. The presence of copper stills in homes does not necessarily mean it is illegal. Unless you are distilling alcohol with it, such stills are fine to own. If you do decide to distill alcohol, you simply need to acquire a license to do so.