How to Make Moonshine Mash with a Homemade Still
If you enjoy a good glass of vodka, whiskey, bourbon, or classic moonshine, you probably know that every great spirit starts with a still. But unless you’re a distiller yourself, you might not realize what happens before the liquid ever reaches the still — and that process begins with something called mash. No, not the old TV show — this “mash” is one of the most important parts of the entire distilling process.
What Is Moonshine Mash?
In both brewing and distilling, mashing is the process of mixing milled grain — typically malted barley — with other grains such as corn, sorghum, rye, or wheat. The grains are combined with water and heated, which activates natural enzymes in the malt. These enzymes break down starches into fermentable sugars, creating a malty liquid known as wort.
Mashing typically occurs in a vessel called a “mash tun,” an insulated brewing container with a false bottom. Distillers carefully control the temperature throughout this process, usually between 45–73 °C (113–163 °F), to ensure proper enzyme activity. The finished product of this stage is called the mash — the foundation for your future moonshine, whiskey, or bourbon.
Types of Mashing Techniques
There are two primary methods of mashing: Infusion Mashing and Decoction Mashing.
- Infusion Mashing — The mash is heated directly from one temperature rest to another. Some distillers adjust the temperature by adding hot water to the mixture.
- Decoction Mashing — A portion of the grains is removed, boiled separately, and then returned to the mash to raise the overall temperature. This helps extract more starch and flavor from the grains by breaking down their cell walls.
The Best Homemade Still for Making Moonshine Mash
When it comes time to distill your mash, you’ll want a still that’s as reliable as your recipe. That’s where The Distillery Network Inc. and their new Flame Flow™ Patent Pending Technology come in.
This innovative design heats your mash in half the time — effectively reducing propane use by up to 50%. The Flame Flow™ Technology minimizes the risk of scorching and burning, resulting in a smoother, cleaner final spirit. It also allows you to reach distilling temperatures faster and maintain precise heat control with a lower flame compared to a traditional pot still.
When you’ve invested so much time into crafting the perfect mash, the last thing you want is to ruin it with an uneven or overheated still. That’s why all copper stills from The Distillery Network Inc. are designed for performance, safety, and long-term reliability — each one handcrafted, 100% guaranteed, and made in the USA.
Learn more about their copper moonshine stills for sale at BuyAMoonshineStill.com and take your distilling to the next level.