How to make a plastic still – Part 1

How to make a plastic still, step by step:

Wine fermentation vessels can be bought in many outlets. These containers are usually of 30 litre capacity but are usually called 25 litre wine containers or fermentation vessels.

In the bottom of the 25-litre container something should be placed to raise up the 10 litre container a bit. This should be a container of some sort. I have used a 10-litre bucket that I have cut down to make it about 60 mm high. It is wide and gives good support. Remember, it must be something that is alcohol proof, e.g. food grade plastic (PP or PE plastic), stainless steel or ceramics. Plastic items are usually stamped with the type of plastic they are made from.

A 60 mm high item is about right. Use a white or transparent plastic item to be on the safe side, ensuring it contains no toxic colours.

Make sure there is a hole in the item you intend to use so it does not float when alcohol runs down in the bottom of the 25-litre container. I have cut a little hole in the 10-litre vessel I am going to use as a support.

Over this support I have placed plastic disc. This is cut from the lid of a fermentation vessel. Cut the disc so that there are as small gaps as possible round the edge. The disc should be 320 mm in diameter. In the picture one can see I have cheated a bit, but it gives an idea of how accurate it should be. The disc is there to separate the alcohol from the air in the vessel. A nice touch is to order a glass disc from a glazier. This should be more than 4 mm thick and have a diameter of 317 mm with bevelled edges for safety. Cost is about 15 Euros. Such a disc gives a bottom plate that is a perfect fit. Remember to place it high enough to give a tiny gap all around for the alcohol to run past.