Moonshine on oak chips

Step-by-step cooking

1. Step 1:

   

   For the preparation of moonshine infused with oak chips, we will prepare this very moonshine. In principle, it does not matter what kind of moonshine you will use, I will make the simplest sugar. We prepare all the necessary ingredients for it. We take dry yeast and buy it in a special store. I have yeast of the "turbo" type, so I will describe my whole process exactly according to the instructions for this type.

2. Step 2:

   

   We take water, the temperature of which is about 35 degrees. Pour sugar and yeast into it, mix everything well until a homogeneous liquid. At first it will be cloudy, but this is normal, do not be alarmed. We do all this in a special tank with a hydraulic seal on the lid, which can also be purchased in a special store for winemaking. We put it in a warm place for 5-7 days, then leave it at room temperature for 3-4 days.

3. Step 3:

   

   The braga is ready when the air bubbles stop coming out into the hydraulic seal.If you do not have such a tank, then you can pour the liquid into cans and put on a regular medical glove. After the yeast starts working, it will inflate, but after cooking the braga, it will fall off. This means that it is ready for distillation. It turns out to be transparent, yellow in color and with a specific smell.

4. Step 4:

   

   Now you can start distilling braga into moonshine. We assemble the device and pour the brew into the moonshine machine according to the instructions. We put it on medium heat and heat it. As soon as the temperature in the column reaches 60 degrees, turn on cold water.

5. Step 5:

   

   Well, actually, at a temperature of 75 degrees in the column, the process itself begins, for which everything was conceived. I just want to warn you that you need to monitor the temperature. And as soon as it reaches 80 degrees, immediately turn down the fire, otherwise you may need repairs in the near future. I do it in the bathroom on an electric stove at medium power.

6. Step 6:

   

   While we have all this fermenting and preparing, we will deal directly with oak chips. It can be purchased in a special store, but it does not always happen there. Therefore, we will do it ourselves. You can make it yourself by finely chopping a dry trunk or purchase it at a furniture factory, making sure that it is not processed by anything.

7. Step 7:

   

   Wash the oak chips and pour cold water for a day. We change the water every 6 hours. Then drain the water and rinse under running water.

8. Step 8:

   

   Pour 500 milliliters of water and bring to a boil. Fill the chips with hot water and add 13 grams of baking soda. We leave everything until it cools down completely. Drain the water and rinse the chips.

9. Step 9:

   

   Lay out the chips in one layer and dry it in any convenient way. It is most convenient to do this in the sun or in winter on a battery. Wood chips should break easily and become twice as light. It usually takes 2-3 days.

11. Step 10:

    

    We proceed directly to the firing process. This can be done on the grill by wrapping the chips in foil. But with this method, it will be very difficult to control what kind of roasting it will turn out. We will do it at home, in an oven with convection, but there should be a very good extractor hood in the house. We lay out the chips in one layer on a baking sheet and put them in the oven at a temperature of 150 degrees. For the first degree, we hold the chips for 1.5 – 2 hours, it should become golden in color.

12. Step 11:

    

    Then continue drying until brown, such an average roast. It will take about another 40 minutes to one hour and the smoke emission will also increase.

13. Step 12:

    

    Then continue roasting until lightly burnt. That is, the chips should become almost black, but not turn into coals. It will take about another hour and I will say right away, the smell of a fire is spreading through the house, so it's still better to try to get it in the store. We take out the chips and cool them completely.

14. Step 13:

    

    We are preparing containers in which we will insist moonshine and lids. We lay out the chips in containers. For each liter of moonshine, we will need 10 grams.

15. Step 14:

    

    Fill the prepared containers with chips and close the lids tightly. We put it in a dark place from 3 weeks to 2 months. It depends on your taste.

16. Step 15:

    

    That's how it becomes in three weeks.

17. Step 16:

    

    The color and aftertaste of moonshine depends on the degree of roasting.

18. Step 17:

    

    Have a fun feast with good people.