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Whether producing whiskey, vodka, rum, or gin, a distillery requires specialized equipment to ensure quality, efficiency, and compliance. Below is a breakdown of must-have distillery equipment, categorized by function.
Purpose: Convert sugars into alcohol (wash) before distillation.
✔ Fermentation Tanks (Stainless Steel or Wood)
Sizes: 500L–10,000L+ (for commercial operations)
Optional: Jacketed tanks for temperature control
✔ Yeast Propagation System (For consistent fermentation)
✔ Mash Tuns (For grain-based spirits like whiskey)
✔ Pumps & Transfer Hoses (Food-grade, CIP-compatible)
NFE Recommendation:
Modular fermenters with glycol cooling for precise temperature management.
Purpose: Separate and purify alcohol from the fermented wash.
✔ Still Types:
Pot Still (For whiskey, rum, brandy – retains flavors)
Column Still (For vodka, gin, neutral spirits – high purity)
Hybrid Still (Combines pot & column for flexibility)
✔ Condensers (Shell & tube, copper, or stainless steel)
✔ Boiler/Heat Source (Electric, steam, or direct fire)
✔ De-Methanol Column (For fruit-based spirits to remove toxic methanol)
Purpose: Refine spirits for smoothness and clarity.
✔ Carbon Filtration System (For vodka/neutral spirits)
✔ Quartz Sand Filters (Optional for ultra-smooth texture)
✔ Oak Barrels (For aging whiskey, rum, or brandy)
✔ Blending Tanks (Stainless steel, for final product consistency)
Purpose: Maintain optimal temperatures for distillation and fermentation.
✔ Glycol Chilling System (For fermenter & condenser cooling)
✔ Heat Exchangers (For energy-efficient vapor condensation)
✔ Water Treatment System (For dilution and process water)
NFE Recommendation:
Glycol-jacketed fermenters for precise temperature control.
Purpose: Store and bottle the final product.
✔ Storage Tanks (Stainless steel, with volume scales)
✔ Bottling Line (Automatic or semi-automatic fillers, corkers, labelers)
✔ Barrel Aging Warehouse (If producing aged spirits)
NFE Recommendation:
Brite tanks for temporary storage before bottling.
Purpose: Meet legal and operational safety standards.
✔ Explosion-Proof Electrical Systems (For ethanol vapor safety)
✔ Ventilation & CO₂ Monitoring (For fermentation areas)
✔ ATF/TTB-Compliant Flow Meters (For alcohol proof tracking)
NFE Recommendation:
PLC-controlled systems with data logging for regulatory reporting.
Stage | Essential Equipment |
---|---|
Fermentation | Tanks, mash tuns, yeast propagator |
Distillation | Still (pot/column), condenser, boiler |
Filtration | Carbon filters, oak barrels |
Cooling | Glycol system, heat exchangers |
Storage/Packaging | Brite tanks, bottling line |
Safety | Explosion-proof systems, compliance tools |
✔ Turnkey Solutions – From small craft setups to industrial distilleries.
✔ Customizable – Hybrid stills, automation options, and scalable designs.
✔ Global Compliance – Meets CE, ASME, TTB, FDA, and EU standards.
Need a Quote?
→ Contact NFE for a custom equipment list based on your production goals!