Conditions affecting the shelf life of moonshine (vodka, alcohol). How to store moonshine and what is the best container for moonshine
As you know, every food product has its own expiration date and vodka is no exception. Of course, it can be stored for a very long time, especially if all the conditions necessary for this are observed. As a rule, a bottle of vodka should indicate its expiration date, but manufacturers often omit this point, believing that their product can be stored forever. But in fact, this is not entirely true, depending on the composition, storage conditions and the containers used, vodka may have different expiration dates.
It would seem that something is spoiling there, because there can be no bacteria that can spoil this product in alcohol. Yes, and alcohol itself is often used to preserve other foods. Let's look at the main three points that affect the shelf life of a bottle of vodka.
Type of vodka
Vodka is different: simple and special. Simple - is called t, which does not contain additional impurities and flavors, only water and ethyl alcohol. These include: Stolichnaya, Moskovskaya and other not expensive brands, ships can also include high-quality moonshine well purified from fusel oils. Such vodka can indeed be stored for a very long time, practically unlimited, if the conditions and containers are appropriate, but more on that later. If you plan to buy a bottle and store it, so to speak, for every "fireman", then it is better to buy just such a bottle.
But often, in order to mask the unpleasant taste and swing of alcohol, manufacturers alcoholic beverages different additives are added there, in this case it is better to focus on the information that is written on the bottle label, because, depending on this or that additive, the oxidation processes that make the product unusable can proceed in different ways. As a rule, it is better not to store such vodka for more than one year. Poorly cleaned moonshine or infused with herbs or other spices also belongs to this category.
Storage conditions
The third important point is the conditions in which your bottle of vodka or moonshine will be stored. The two most important points: it is to avoid direct sunlight and relatively low temperature. It is best to store alcohol in a darkened room at room temperature. You can put it in the refrigerator, but not in the freezer, because the alcohol will not freeze, but water - yes, and when defrosting, sediment may form at the bottom.
Ultimately, there is a completely logical question, what can happen to vodka. As a result long-term storage harmful esters are formed in it, and additives are oxidized. And as a result, the use of expired alcohol will have an extremely negative effect on your health.
Tara
For storing alcohol, there is nothing better than a glass container, but not crystal. Unlike all other materials, glass does not enter into a chemical reaction with alcohol and the shelf life of vodka in a glass bottle without third-party impurities is almost eternal, it is only important to take care of the tightness, because if the bottle is poorly closed, then some of the water may evaporate over time, and the degree disappear. 
As for the rest of the materials, it is better not to even consider them. If we talk about plastic, then not only store, it is not even recommended to drink from disposable plastic cups, because various toxic compounds are formed upon contact with alcohol. Clay containers are also highly discouraged. If suddenly you notice that your vodka has lost its transparency, a sediment has appeared at the bottom - this means that you can no longer drink it.
In general, this is how you bought and store it, you should not open the bottle and or pour it somewhere. Such recommendations are more useful for those who have prepared vodka from distilled water and medical alcohol.
Shelf life of vodka according to GOST
In the Soviet Union for wine - vodka products was GOST No. 12712-80 of 1980, which stipulated that vodka should be stored for no more than a year. But after the collapse of the USSR (1991), this GOST was canceled, and vodka became an eternally stored product.
Since 2003, a state standard has been adopted in Belarus - STB No. 978-2003 “Vodka. General technical conditions". It established specific terms and conditions of storage. All products must be stored in a warehouse in consumer packaging at a temperature of -15 to +30 degrees, protected from direct sunlight, and depending on the type of drink, the shelf life was from 12 to 36 months.
In Russia in 2003, to replace the old GOST 1999 No. 51355-99, a new GOST appeared - No. 52194-2003 “Special vodkas and vodkas. Liquor products. Packing, marking, transportation and storage. It obliges manufacturers to indicate the expiration date on each label of their products. But he does not set any time limits, this is already done by the manufacturer himself.
With the release in 2013 of the new paragraph 8.2 of GOST No. 12712-2013, the permissible scope for the sale of vodka again became unlimited.
In any case, GOSTs are useful in that they melt the consumer to understand clear rules and laws that manufacturers of certain products must comply with, but this is just a set of words that can change from year to year. While vodka remains unchanged. So no matter what is written on the bottle, look at the bottling date, add 1 year to it and you will get a real period during which the product will be guaranteed to be fresh and of high quality.
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Turbidity of crystal clear moonshine (if more than 10 days have passed after dilution with water) and (or) the appearance of a precipitate in the form of flakes is a sign of improper storage. Often worsens not only appearance but also the quality. We will consider the parameters that affect the shelf life of moonshine. By creating the right conditions, the drink can be left for decades. But just one mistake can ruin a product irrevocably. All the above tips are also relevant for other strong drinks: vodka, ethyl alcohol, cognac, whiskey, etc.
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1. Container. The most important factor on which the shelf life of strong alcohol depends by 80-90%, since alcohol is an active substance that reacts with most materials, which is fraught with the release of harmful impurities. At home, glass bottles, bottles and cans for preservation are ideal packaging options.
It is better to use bottles from state-owned vodka (with a “native” cork), into which no other substances were poured. If there were food or liquids in the containers even for a short time, then the containers must be thoroughly washed and dried before use, and then checked for the presence of foreign odors that could spoil the aroma of the distillate.
Another prerequisite for containers for storing moonshine is tightness. In the open air, alcohol evaporates quickly. Even a poorly screwed cork (lid) can cause a decrease in strength due to evaporation, only water will remain. Corks should fit snugly on the neck of the bottle.
It is better to roll up cans with steel lids, since they are more reliable and safer than nylon ones. Nylon is one of the types of plastic that, when in contact with alcohol, can release harmful substances, this will be discussed later.
Metal lids are preferable to nylon ones
It is impossible to pour moonshine into containers where inedible products, such as gasoline or glue, were previously stored, since it is very difficult to wash such containers with a guarantee, the risk of irretrievably spoiling the distillate is very high.
For very large volumes, industrial stainless steel barrels are recommended. Food grade stainless steel, like glass, does not react with alcohol, so it is safe. But aluminum cans and enamelware are not suitable.
Barrels made of food grade stainless steel - a good solution for large volumes
It is strictly forbidden to store moonshine and other alcoholic beverages with a strength above 15-20 degrees in plastic containers, the only exception is a special one designed for strong alcohol plastic, but this material rarely appears in retail sales.
Alcohol corrodes most plastic bottles, as a result, moonshine becomes cloudy, flakes or loose sediment appear at the bottom, and an unpleasant odor. There were times when alcohol "burned through" thin plastic through and through.
Cloudy moonshine in a plastic container
But even if moonshine has not changed visually after storage in a plastic bottle, this does not mean that the drink is safe, many harmful substances cannot be determined organoleptically (by taste and smell). When alcohol reacts with different types Plastic releases carcinogens such as formaldehyde (phenol) and styrene.
Many home distillers prefer to store moonshine in oak barrels. Sometimes such a decision is justified, but this method has a number of disadvantages. First, you need to purchase and prepare a barrel for use, create normal storage conditions, including temperature and humidity, then periodically check the safety of the barrel. Secondly, evaporation should be taken into account - regardless of the volume, losses at best will be about a liter of filled distillate per year. Thirdly, the taste of moonshine will change. Therefore, I consider barrels as a method of preparing a separate drink, but not a container for storage.
After aging in a barrel, moonshine changes color and taste
2. Composition. There may be third-party additives in moonshine (except for alcohol and water): sugar, lemon acid, herbal extracts, fruits, berries, other substances that improve the aroma or taste of moonshine, as well as essential oils and other impurities resulting from improper distillation and (or) purification. It is impossible to predict how all these substances will behave during long exposure.
It all depends on the composition, concentration and chemical reactions of third-party components between themselves on the one hand, and alcohol on the other. Usually, natural additives precipitate or become cloudy when exposed to direct sunlight, which only worsens the visual perception of the drink, but does not affect the quality.
It works here general rule- store moonshine with additives for no more than a year, and for several years and longer, lay only well-purified distillate or alcohol diluted with high-quality water without the addition of third-party substances.
3. Conditions. The right temperature and humidity, along with the lack of sunlight, will block or slow down most chemical reactions. This is very important in the case of storing moonshine with additives, but it is also desirable to create optimal conditions for a "clean" distillate, especially if the drink is stored for a long time - 3-10 years.
I recommend placing the container with moonshine in a dark room (or at least protect it from direct sunlight) with a temperature of 5-20 ° C and a relative humidity of 85%. Be sure to periodically check the appearance of the drink and the tightness.
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It is important to know how to store moonshine properly, as the product can go bad. Moonshine has a limited shelf life, and also requires compliance with storage conditions. If a person does not know how to properly store the product, then such a drink eventually becomes unusable and dangerous to health. If you follow all the requirements and rules, then the drink can be stored even for five years. All storage requirements will also apply to other strong alcoholic beverages.
Storage of moonshine in oak barrels
You can understand that moonshine has gone bad not only by taste, but also by appearance. The drink will become cloudy, and precipitation will also appear at the bottom in the form of flakes. The appearance will no longer be clean and transparent, and this will be the result of improper storage. To avoid this situation, you need to know three necessary conditions, namely:
- container for storage;
- constituent parts of moonshine;
- external climate conditions.
Storage Capacity Selection
If we talk about containers, then most people do not think about whether moonshine can be stored in a plastic bottle, they immediately pour the drink into this container. Doing so is strictly prohibited. Storing a drink in plastic is dangerous, since moonshine has a strength of more than 20%, which means that plastic will dissolve from this characteristic. If the bottle is thin, it will start to leak after a few days.
And alcohol, corroding plastic bottles, causes moonshine to become cloudy and precipitate in the form of flakes. The drink acquires an unpleasant smell, the taste changes. Of course, this does not always happen, and moonshine may not change the appearance. But in any case, upon contact with plastic, a number of chemical reactions occur, carcinogens are released, for example, formaldehyde, styrene. The most dangerous thing is that they cannot be determined by taste and their effect will not always appear immediately after drinking such moonshine, it is possible that these substances will accumulate in the body.
If you store moonshine in plastic, then only in a special form of this material intended for alcohol. But such material is rarely found in retail, but is used in manufacturing and industry.
It is the storage container that is 80% the key to the success of preserving the drink. Alcohol, as already clear, is an active substance that interacts with the environment. And almost always, when interacting, harmful components are formed. At home, you can store the drink in jars, bottles or glass bottles.
The best storage option would be a bottle of vodka from the store. It is especially good if its cork has been preserved and no other substances have been poured into the bottle. If other liquids were stored in the container before, then it must be washed and dried. The material itself is safe, but moonshine can absorb those smells and tastes from the bottle that were before, and, accordingly, spoil its taste. Therefore, the container must be clean, free of foreign odors and dry.
And you also need to take care of tightness. The fact is that alcohol tends to evaporate, so if the lid does not fit tightly, then over time only water will remain in the bottle. Even because of a poorly closed lid, the drink will change its taste and properties. But if alcohol is stored in jars, then it is better to roll them up with steel lids - this is more reliable and safer than using nylon lids. In addition, capron is plastic, and contact with alcohol is prohibited.
Do not use containers for storage that previously contained industrial liquids such as gasoline, kerosene, glue. This is dangerous for health and the drink, since it is difficult to wash these containers and some of the substance will penetrate the moonshine.
Aluminum cans, as well as enameled dishes, will not work, so an aluminum flask will not be a solution either. Moonshine can be stored in it for only a few days, and preferably before use during the day. If production volumes are large, then stainless steel barrels that do not react to alcohol can be used.
It is also not dangerous to store moonshine in oak barrels, but this is a laborious process, since it is difficult to create conditions for storing the barrel itself, and you also need to check the moonshine daily. Barrels are expensive, and distillate losses are greater with this storage than with other storage methods. And the taste of the drink will also change, which will also not appeal to everyone.
The composition of the drink and storage conditions
The composition of moonshine is important when choosing the type of storage, and especially the timing. Foreign substances may be present in the beverage to improve the organoleptic properties, i.e. taste. Additives include:
- sugar;
- lemon acid;
- herbal extracts;
- fruits, berries;
- oils or impurities that are not purified during distillation.
It is impossible to say exactly how these substances will react to storage conditions, since they have different concentrations. Most often, natural additives precipitate, they can make the drink cloudy, but this does not affect the quality of moonshine.
Storage of moonshine in glass containers
Previously, for each type of drink in the USSR, there were storage standards, they were called GOSTs. Accordingly, now these standards have changed and even in each country they differ. These standards describe the strength of drinks, as well as the desired shelf life. Ordinary moonshine can last the longest - 2 years.
The expiration date is different for other drinks. "Khrenovuha", "birch", "suharnik" will stand for a year. Spotykach and mead will keep for at least six months. But moonshine with fruit is best used within three months. Of course, standards protect against poisoning and other consequences, in fact, a pure drink can be stored longer. But moonshine with any additives is really better to use during the year.
The main thing that standards limit and prohibit is the use of chemicals, sweeteners and flavorings. Raw materials for manufacturing must be natural, a technology for cleaning from fusel oil and oils is provided.
The last obligatory item is the environmental conditions, which are important for the drinks to be preserved. This item includes room temperature, humidity and UV exposure. These parameters help to speed up or slow down chemical reactions with moonshine, so it is important to create the right conditions for pure distillate.
A container with a drink will be well stored in a room where direct sunlight does not fall. The temperature in it is at the level of 5-20 degrees Celsius, and the air humidity is quite high - 85%. It is necessary to periodically check the drink, look at its appearance, and also monitor the tightness of the lid.
Storing moonshine is as important a step in the process as preparing a drink. Storage methods are different and require different degrees of attention. Therefore, using the tips and rules, you can savor this drink longer and safer for health.
Before getting natural home product, first boil the mash. There are many ways to make it, but no matter what it was made from, you need to properly store the mash and the moonshine that comes from it.
An important condition for storage is compliance with the recommended temperature regime. If this is not done, the product will be damaged.
How to store moonshine
The finished product should be cooled after distillation so that it reaches room temperature. After that, it must be poured into a pre-prepared container. It is important that it is not just clean, but sterile, then it will be stored for a long time.
Which container is better
In addition, it is good to store it at home:
- in oak barrels;
- in a metal can.
Where to store moonshine
For storage, you need to choose a place where a low temperature will be maintained. These are the optimal conditions under which the drink will remain usable throughout the year.
Best Storage Locations:
- cellar;
- basement;
- balcony in winter;
- garage.
How much moonshine can be stored depends on the container and temperature. The lower it is, the higher the shelf life. At 3°C-5°C, it can stay fresh for up to 24 months.
The optimal conditions for storing moonshine are sterile glass containers and a temperature not higher than 5 ° C.
How to properly store mash
Each recipe is based on the principle of fermentation, so it is important to observe the appropriate temperature regime for storage. In addition, it is better to use the storage container in which the mash was prepared, since it has already gone through the sterilization process.
Which container is better
If it is not possible to keep a large digest, it must be poured into a clean, dry, sterilized dish for storage. After fermentation, the ripened finished mass should be poured into prepared containers before distillation:
- glass jars;
- glass bottles;
- metal barrels;
- plastic bottles.
Where to store mash
Many are interested in whether it is possible to store the boon for moonshine in the kitchen. The answer is - not recommended. It should be a dark and cool place, the cooler the longer it will be usable. The places where it is better to store ripe fermented mash are:
- balcony;
- cellar;
- basement;
- garage;
- fridge.
In summer, you can fill the bathroom with cold water and keep the container with mash, periodically changing it. The timing is directly affected by temperature, but it should be remembered that this is not a long-term storage product.
At a temperature of 3°C to 5°C, the mash can be stored for up to 7 days. At room temperature - no longer than 1 day.
Frequently asked Questions
How to store mash for drinking after fermentation?
After fermentation, sugar mash should be poured into clean sterile glass jars, put in a dark, dry and cool place with a temperature not exceeding 5 ° C.
Is it possible to store moonshine in plastic bottles?
No.
How long can moonshine be stored in a plastic bottle?
It is advisable not to store moonshine in a plastic bottle at all.
Is it possible to store moonshine in an aluminum flask?
If it's a food metal, then you can. The shelf life will be up to 3 months, subject to the recommended temperature conditions.
Is it possible to store moonshine in an aluminum canister?
If it is a special metal marked "For food storage", then it is possible within the specified expiration date.
How much moonshine can be stored at home in Belarus?
According to the law, only certified ethnic estates can cook and store it. Private individuals are prohibited from doing so.
How much moonshine can be stored at home in Ukraine?
According to Art. 176 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, the manufacture and storage of moonshine without the purpose of sale entails a fine in the amount of 51 to 170 hryvnia.
How much moonshine can be stored at home in Russia?
According to the amendment to art. 14.17 of the Code of Administrative Offenses from January 1, 2018, the restriction on the storage and transportation of moonshine in a volume of more than 10 liters comes into force.
Is it possible to store moonshine in the cold?
What happens if the alcoholic drink is cold? If you are wondering if moonshine can be stored at sub-zero temperatures, then remember that alcohol freezes at -80 ° C and below. The drink will become viscous, but it will not freeze, and we don’t have such frosts in our country.
How long can mash be stored before distillation?
At a temperature close to 3°-5°C - about 7 days. At 10 ° C and closer to room temperature - no longer than a day.
Almost every food product has its own shelf life. Even pure preservatives (such as table salt) have an expiration date. Alcoholic drinks, and vodka in particular, are no exception. The expiration date of vodka (moonshine) is determined by the manufacturer based on the recipe, packaging and storage conditions for alcohol. However, this period is very conditional. With some simple actions, you can store vodka for a very long time.
What determines the shelf life of vodka or moonshine?
Compound. Vodka is different. Classic vodka, which contains only alcohol and water, has an unlimited shelf life. Such vodka, however, like moonshine, can be drunk without fear, after a long, long time.
There are also special types of vodka, which, in addition to water, alcohol (sometimes sugar), include other ingredients designed to eliminate an unpleasant odor, add a certain tint to the taste of alcohol, and eliminate its pungency. It is these substances that oxidize over time, which leads to a limited shelf life. As a rule, special types of vodka (with additives) have a shelf life of 1 year, and sometimes only half a year.
In any case, carefully read the information on the bottle label and follow the recommendations provided there. As for home-made alcoholic drinks, you need to remember that moonshine or flavored vodka, with the addition of dried fruits, fruits, various herbs, is best consumed within six months from the date of preparation of the drink.
Container. Since alcohol is a very active substance that enters into a chemical reaction with materials with which it directly interacts, special attention should be paid to the container in which vodka is stored.
The only correct container for storing vodka is a glass container. Alcohol does not react with glass, which is why we buy vodka only in glass bottles.
As for moonshine, it is also best to store it in glass bottles or glass jars with a tight lid. It is necessary to hermetically close the container, because. alcohol evaporates quickly. If you closed the lid poorly, then after a fairly short time you will find that there is much less vodka or moonshine. Moreover, the liquid is unlikely to be completely corrected, water will remain in the container. Just over time, the strength of alcohol will decrease due to the volatilization of alcohols.
At home, moonshine is often bottled in plastic bottles. This container is quite popular. However, it is strictly forbidden to store moonshine or vodka in such bottles. Alcohol dissolves the walls of such a bottle over time, forming harmful substances. Sometimes you can even observe sediment at the bottom of plastic bottles with vodka or moonshine.
It is best to store vodka in manufacturer's bottles without opening it. For moonshine, ordinary glass jars or bottles from a drunk “breech” are suitable. A sign of bad packaging is sediment at the bottom and turbidity before a clear drink.
Storage conditions for vodka or moonshine
In order for alcohol not to spoil for a long time, it is necessary to properly observe the storage conditions. The temperature of the room should be 5-20 degrees, the humidity of the air should be about 85%. You need to keep vodka in a dark place, deprived of access to sunlight.