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Potatoes for Vodka, Prepper Style

http://www.offthegridnews.com/2011/11/21/potatoes-for-vodka-prepper-style/

Nov 21st, 2011 | By John | Category: Food | Print This Article
With each passing decade, it seems we move further away from the simple, self-sustained lives that our ancestors enjoyed. The Industrial Revolution is where it really all began, and since then many traditions have either died out or are practiced by only a dedicated few. Reduced cost of labor, cheaper supplies, and mass production heralded a new age—an age where the convenience store replaced the local market and we increasingly relied on others to cater to our every need. It is not very often that we see those old traditions making a comeback, but when they do, we should fully embrace them. Not only are they part of our history, there are practical and social lessons we can learn that are still very relevant today.

One such tradition that has managed to stand the test of time is the practice of distilling potato vodka. It is not entirely extinct thanks to small distilleries in Russia and Poland keeping the tradition alive over the years. However, recently potato vodka has found its way onto the shelves of major retailers. That aside, potato vodka offers a number of benefits that are not shared by vodkas made from wheat, corn, rice, or other methods. When matching strength for strength, potato vodka contains considerably fewer calories than vodka made from other grains. Since potatoes do not contain gluten, potato vodka is a viable and healthy alternative for those with gluten allergies.

Finally, potatoes are extremely easy to work with. The actual distilling process involves very few tools, tools that anyone who is living off grid should already own. That means making your own potato vodka is only a few short steps away.

Do It Yourself

To make your own potato vodka, you will need a pressure cooker and distilling kit. Pressure cookers can be dangerous to use if you don’t know what you are doing. If you are not experienced in using a pressure cooker, you will want to learn from someone who is. Do not put yourself or others at risk of injury.

¦To produce a liter of vodka, you will need around two and a half pounds of potatoes. Ideally, you should use pure stream or spring water when making your vodka, as this will produce much higher quality vodka.
¦Peel and chop the potatoes into cubes. You can also mash up the cubes to speed up the process; however, it is matter of personal choice.
¦Using a pressure cooker, add enough water to completely cover your potatoes. Cook until the potatoes are dissolved in the water.
¦Leave the potatoes to cool, and then extract the juices using a strainer.
¦At this stage you will need to distill the juices in order to purify your vodka. It is a good idea to repeat the distilling process four times for best results.