re: anyone on here ever have any experience in the manufacturing of moonshine?

A keg will be the best way to go - you can run anything up to 12 gallons in it and trust me you will want to run more than five gallons in the future. In terms of how much you make the first time - remember a 5 gallon wash will only produce about 500 mils of product depending on your startin specific gravity of the wash. a couple of basic supplies you will need ....

1. ferment bucket, you can pick this up at any homebrew supply with a lid and airlock. 7.5 gallon bucket so you have room for it to breathe

2. a Hydrometer and Specific gravity meter - this allows you to see the proof (hydrometer) of your final product as well as aid in making your cuts of the final product. Specific gravity meter allows you to adjust the SG of your wash as well as being able to see when your wash is fully done, in this you can also calc your yeild of the wash - or how much alcohol you should get.

3. a good recipe, a no boil corn mash will give you a quick ferment as well as a slight hint of corn, the ferment usually takes about 5-7 days on Uncle jesses simple sour mash. again your SG meter will tell you all you need to know about when the mash/wash is done. you are shooting for a 0.99 SG or when it stops bubbling in the airlock.

4. as it has been said you ALWAYS discard the first 100-200 mils of product to ensure no mathanol is in you final product.

5. a propane burner is optimal for heating the mash up, hold a steady temp for you to bring it up and maintain it.

Out of a 12 gallon wash I can get about a gallon or so of product at around 130-140 proof. once I add spring water to get the desired proof -60-70 proof I have about 2 gallons of white liqour. again this is where the hydrometer comes into play. Dont be greedy and read read and then read some more before you start this. Your still has to be cleaned and check for leaks before you ever start this process, dont be fooled by that show - you can cause some VERY serious harm either by methanol intake or a serious fire hazard.

READ ALL YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON.