Mist 1 Gallon Air Still Manual

manual for air still
air still manual

Before you Start: 

It is important to read the instructions for your Mist 1 Gallon Air Still before you start. It will help you feel familiar with your new air still and ensure that your still is operated properly.

 

Check out this video to see step-by-step instructions on how to properly assemble your Mist 1 Gallon Air Still.

 

Your air still has three main parts:

  • The lower still canister
  • The glass collection canister (with lid)
  • The air still lid with a built-in fan

 

  1. Place the lid onto the lower canister
  2. Plug the cord from the lid into the lower still canister. Push until you hear a click so you know it is inserted properly.
  3. Cut the zip ties from the silver bands
  4. Remove the screws from the handle and set them aside
  5. Place a silver strap into the grooves of the glass canister. Secure to the handle with the screws. Repeat.
  6. Plug the power cord into the lower still canister and into the wall.

 

Once you have successfully assembled your Mist 1 Gallon Air Still, it is important to run your still full of water to remove any impurities that may be present from the manufacturing process. Taking this extra step is a great way to protect yourself from any lingering by-products of the manufacturing process but will also help you become familiar and more comfortable with your machine.

 

How to Distill Water: 

 

Before using your Mist 1 Gallon Air Still, it is recommended to clean the inside of the Air Still and fill it with clean water to the 4 L (1 US Gal) line which is marked on the inside. It is important to ensure that both electrical sockets are free of any debris and dry.

 

STEP 1 - FILL

• Fit the top cover of the still in place and plug the fan lead into the socket in the still body.

• Fill the Air Still with water up to the 4 L (1 US Gal) mark.

 

STEP 2 - DISTIL

• Place a 4 L (1 US Gal) collection jug under the outlet nozzle.

• Press the reset button on the base of the still.

• Fit the top cover of the still in place and plug the fan lead into the socket in the still body. Place the spirit collector under the outlet nozzle. This should have a usable capacity of at least 800 ml (27 US fl oz).

• Connect the main power cord between the still and the mains power socket and turn on the mains power socket switch. You will hear the fan in the top cover of the still start immediately.

• It will take about 1.5 hours for the water to heat up. Once distillation starts, water will begin to drip slowly into the spirit collector or jug. The still will take about 10 hours to distill the 4 L (1 US Gal).

• The power supply reset will switch off automatically when the distillation is completed.

 How to Make Essential OIls:

 

STEP 1 - FILL

  • Place the clean plant material in the Mist 1 Gallon Air Still and add enough water to cover. The amount of water necessary to fill your still varies depending on the type of plant used.

 

STEP 2 - DISTIL

  • Press the reset button on the base of the still.
  • Fit the top cover of the still in place and plug the fan lead into the socket in the still body. Place the
  • spirit collector or jug under the outlet nozzle. This should have a usable capacity of at least 800 ml
  • (27 US fl oz).
  • Connect the main power cord between the still and the mains power socket and turn on the mains
  • power socket switch. You will hear the fan in the top cover of the still start immediately.
  • Allow to heat up.
  • It is recommended to keep a close eye on the output and collect in fractions. The reason for this is because the quality of output will drop off at the end of your run and you will want to discard this 'cooked' output.
  • Collect a maximum distillate of 80% of the volume of water put in the boiler to make sure it does not boil dry and cook the plant material.
  • The distillate collected will be mainly hydrosol (water-based plant extract) but there will be essential oil with it. The oil will separate out over time and will float on the surface (for nearly all oils, there are a few which are denser than water and will end up on the bottom).

 

STEP 3 - SEPARATE THE OIL

  • The oil can then be separated off from the hydrosol by pipette or with an oil separator used in cooking. Hydrosol can also often be used in many applications (rose water, lavender water, etc). Yields of oil are low, a yield of 1-2% is considered good.

 

How to Distill Spirits  

In order to prepare a mash or wash for spirit distillation, it must first be fermented. Making spirits is a three-step process. Each step needs to be completed properly in order for the process to work. In addition to your air still, you will also require a fermenting vessel as well as a large pot in which to cook your mash/wash.

While a sugar wash is not the only recipe that can be used to make spirits with the Mist Air Still, it is the recipe that is recommended. This is because using a sugar wash does not require you to fractionate your output, which can be difficult with this unit.

 

Check out How to Make Moonshine from Sugar

 

 

 How to Make Sugar Shine

 

This recipe is designed specifically for the Mist 1 Gallon Air Still. It makes about 1 gallon of moonshine so you will have lots of spirits that you can go on to flavor to your liking. While there are commercial flavors available for sale, we prefer using simple ingredients you can find in your kitchen, such as fresh fruit and sugar.

 

MOONSHINE INGREDIENTS:

  • 13 cups of filtered water
  • 1 kg of sugar
  • One packet of bread yeast

 

Moonshine Equipment:

  • Cooking thermometer
  • Fermentation vessel with an airlock
  • Mist 1 Gallon Air Still

 

 

Sugar Shine Recipe Instructions:

 

 

  • Add 8 cups of filtered water to a pot and boil gently.
  • Avoid a rolling boil and try not to exceed 120°F.
  • Reserve 2 TSP of sugar for your yeast starter
  • Add the rest of the sugar a little bit at a time.
  • Stir to dissolve and then add more.
  • Once all of the sugar is dissolved, turn off the heat.
  • Let sit while you prepare your yeast starter.

 

 

To Make Your Yeast Starter:

 

  • ½ cup warm water
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1 package of bread yeast

 

 

  1. To make your yeast starter, add warm water and sugar to a small bowl and whisk to dissolve sugar.
  2. Once the sugar is dissolved, add the package of bread yeast.
  3. Stir well to incorporate.
  4. Once the mixture is well incorporated, cover with plastic wrap and a dishtowel to keep warm.
  5. Let sit while you cool your sugar mash.

Cooling your Mash :

 

Temperature plays an important role in making moonshine. It is important to cool your mash before you add your yeast starter.

 

  1. Place your sugar shine into a larger bowl (or sink) of ice water to cool it. Take it out once the temperature reaches about 85 °F.
  2. Add five cups of cold filtered water to your fermenting vessel.
  3. Add your sugar shine mash.
  4. Add your yeast starter.
  5. Place the lid on the fermenting vessel and shake well for about 10 seconds.
  6. Put water in your airlock and place it on the lid of your fermenting vessel.
  7. Allow to ferment until all activity stops in the airlock. This usually takes about two weeks.

 

 

Distilling your Mash :

 

Once all activity has stopped in the airlock, pour your mash into your air still to ferment. Do not overfill. 

Press the green button to start.

This process takes about two hours.

 

 

Important:

 

The laws regarding the personal distillation of spirits vary from state to state and country to country. For your own personal protection, it is important to look up the laws in your area to see what permits need to be obtained in order to fulfill the requirements for your area.

 

For more information, please read our blog: Is Moonshine Illegal?