Customer Reviews for VEVOR Moonshine Still Water Alcohol Distiller 8Gal w/Thumper Keg & 8W Water Pump

A great little pot still for the price. Comes with everything you need to do a small, basic moonshine run. Expect on your best day to get ~70 oz 130 proof of pure hearts from a single run on this 3 pot 5 Gal still. I recommend also purchasing a stick thermometer, hydrometer and/or refractometer to calculate ABV potential (before) and actual ABV after fermentation/run. Not neccessary, but extremely helpful if you decide to keep this hobby.PROs:鈥?The 5 Gal, non-magnetic, double bottom, Kettle Pot is small enough to easily clean in a kitchen sink, and light enough to lift when filled up (love all the handles!). Also, can double as a fermenter, though I recommend using something else (ie 6.5 Gal bucket). This'll make the transition from fermenting to distilling much easier. Additionally, it facilitates pouring your mash back and forth from bucket to pot as a way to aerate (aeration just before fermenting is CRITICAL for yeast development). Finally, it makes straining the solids out of your wash (via a 5 Gal paint strainer bag) easier when ready to distill.Plus everything can nest in the 5 Gal Kettle Pot for easy and discreet storage.鈥?What Vevor is calling a "Thumper Keg/Box" is actually just a Slobber Box. A nice addition to have, but probably unnecessary as long as you don't over-fill or -heat your kettle when distilling. HOWEVER, adding a small down pipe (appx 4") from the Thumper input port on the lid into the Thumper pot will amend it into an actual, functioning Thumber Box. See photo included in the instruction manual (very slightly updated from pdf available online) or on internet for what this design should look like. I initially used the short, copper, Condenser Pot output extention pipe (included) to accomplish this. Obviously not what it's intended for, but with a gentle screwing pressure you can get it wedged tightly into the Thumper Box Lid brass input valve (see uploaded photos). Then cut, so it sits just above the Thumper Box pot's floor. Fill appx half? the Thumper Box with wash, previous tails, water, or ? and enjoy a practical 'second' distillation run during your first (increases ABV %). And be sure to install silicone seals (included) on both the inside and outside of each of the two brass fittings attached to the Tumper Box Lid (this is not explained in the instruction manual).CONs:鈥?The Instruction Manual, while better than receiving nothing, is almost completely useless. Buy a book, or scour through hours of marginally inaccurate/incomplete internet pages/forums/videos. Good luck!I will say, even with perfect instructions, distilling is mostly experiential so best to just try and learn as you go. It's equal parts science (physics & chemistry) and art (experience & patience).鈥?The pots are pretty thin, but sufficient for the task.鈥?As other reviewers have stated, the included silicone hoses are thin, flimsy, and short. However, they'll work fine for many runs until you improve your process and upgrade equipment.鈥?Sta

This is the best constructed product I've bought. It's got a heavier, though it should be more, base for heat retention and fantastic added features incuding: include condenser circulation pump, quality brass fittings everywhere and stellar stainless dogs and handles. My impressions after running a vinegar distill to clean everything out is as follows:#1 there is absolutely no need for handles anywhere. Remove still pot handles and still lid handle. Anyone can use the lid dogs as anchor points if the still pot is rocking an rollin.#2 Lid Geometry.Lid dogs should be at 45, 135, 225, and 315 degreesLid temp gauge should be ~2/3*lid_diameter @ 270 degreesCondenser out should be ~2/3*lid_diameter @ 0 degrees#Condenser PotCentered at lid:-----Left-handed cooling:----------Valved input and output should be ~ 160 degrees----------Condenser Product Output spigot should be ~ 200 degrees-----Right-handed cooling---------Valved input and output should be ~ 30 degrees----------Condenser Product Output spigot should be ~ 200 degreesPipe observations:*Still lid output pipe should fit condenser input or gin basket input** This means that gin basket output pipe must fit condenser input** There is no need for the 90 degree copper bend pipe that is supposed to go from still_lid_out to gin basket in. Just include two pipes that will fit still-to-condenser and still-ginBasket-condenser.*Get rid of the short copper pipe and tube from the condenser out. Put it a 12-18 inch surgical tube like the tubes for the circulation pump but that fit the condenser output. It's much more convenient.Finally, no one needs the fermentation valve if they're buying this product. Save yourselves some money. And if you're going to make it a kit, meaning I had to assemble mine, make sure there are gaskets for above and below connections as well as a roll of teflon tape. That'll be much more useful that the extraneous copper pipes and fermentation valve.

Son鈥檚 Christmas gift. He loves it ! Having a blast. Tcollins

So far i have been very pleased and surprised how easy this is to assemble and operate. It is made very well and it's very durable. I have already recommended it to a few good friends.

i liked the compact setup and was pretty easy to use can be used in house or shop. i would easley recommend to anyone. would buy again馃槉

One of the best kits in it's class. I don't use the thumper, instead use the provided pipework to set the chiller off to the side. The recirculation pump is surprisingly useful. The silicon tubing is great, it just needs to be longer (to reach from the chiller on the counter to the cold water reservoir (bucket) on the floor. The chiller really works, but the return line should be larger. it wouldn't hurt for the chiller to hold more water either (at least taller side walls). Tuning the inlet and outlet valves to keep the coils covered but not overflow the pot was the most difficult part in all of this. Pay attention to washer orientation and don't tighten everything down until it is all assembled. The distilling instructions are very basic. I strongly suggest not relying on them for operation.

This is literally the first review I've wrote in my entire life, if your a beginner and your looking for something that is manageable and does what it's supposed too...This is it don't keep looking this is exactly as advertised and honestly was over my expectations which is why I had to come and let people know .. Amazing product

Man for the price absolutely worth it. I ran my first batch the day it got here. If you have any interest in moonshine or any home brewing I would reccomend. I ran mine on a stove top rookie tip have alot of ice to circulate you'll need it.

This is a nice, heavy duty item. I just wish there were good instructions for distilling oils.

Amazing product, perfect for starters alike myself! EASY to use and understand.CB