Josh Owens Faces Toxic Threat at Moonshine Still Site

In the rugged backwoods of Pulaski County, North Carolina, moonshiner Josh Owens is no stranger to risk. Known for his daring exploits on Moonshiners, Josh has spent years perfecting the art of crafting illicit liquor, often under the threat of law enforcement and rival shiners. But his latest project—an underground still site on the Piedmont Plateau—has hit a dangerous snag that could derail everything. While constructing a hidden bunker with his cousin Cuz and apprentice Colt, Josh discovered that the telephone poles used to build the site’s roof are coated with creosote, a toxic chemical that poses serious health risks. This unsettling revelation threatens not only the safety of his crew but also the viability of his moonshine operation, forcing Josh to confront a crisis that could contaminate his mash and his dreams.

Building the Ultimate Hidden Still

Josh’s vision was ambitious: an underground bunker so well-camouflaged that it would be invisible to prying eyes. Working alongside Cuz and Colt, he designed a unique still site, eschewing store-bought plans for a creation born from his own ingenuity. “This ain’t like going to the hardware store and buying a set of plans,” Josh said, proudly surveying the site. The crew laid 2x4s across the roof, planning to cover it with grass to blend seamlessly into the landscape. “Once the roots take hold, you won’t be able to tell this is here,” he added, excited about the prospect of running moonshine from a virtually undetectable hideout.

The heart of the operation was a 275-gallon copper pot still, set inside a steel furnace with a chimney to vent smoke and fumes. To ensure safety in the enclosed bunker, Josh devised a ventilation system featuring an aluminum manifold, or hood, to carry toxic gases to the surface through a camouflaged chimney. “If I don’t have good airflow in this bunker, we’re gonna die from carbon monoxide poisoning,” Josh explained, emphasizing the critical need for proper ventilation. The setup was complex, requiring precise engineering to balance heat, smoke, and safety—an art and science Josh was learning on the fly. “I’m a visual learner,” he said. “I do things on-site, no plans, just what comes out of my brain.”

A Toxic Discovery

As the crew neared completion, disaster struck. While installing the ventilation system, Colt noticed a troubling detail about the telephone poles used for the roof. “That creosote stuff you’re talking about not touching—it says you can’t breathe it either in an enclosed place,” he warned, reading from a label. Creosote, a chemical preservative used to prevent rot in wood like telephone poles and railroad ties, is a mixture of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that can volatilize into the air, posing serious health risks. “If you can smell it, you’re breathing toxins,” Colt insisted, pointing out that the bunker’s enclosed space amplified the danger.

Josh initially downplayed the concern, drawing on his years of experience around creosote-treated wood. “I’ve been around telephone poles and railroad ties all my life—it’s just a smell,” he argued, comparing it to handling gasoline. But Colt’s persistence, backed by the label’s stark warning—“creosote is toxic”—forced Josh to reconsider. The realization hit hard: the creosote coating could contaminate the air, making the bunker unsafe for both the crew and the moonshine mash. “If it’s really a toxin in the air, I don’t want my mash in it,” Josh admitted, his frustration mounting. The crew’s health was at stake, with risks ranging from sore throats and rashes to long-term effects like lung damage from prolonged exposure to PAHs.

The Stakes for Josh’s Operation

The discovery of creosote’s dangers threatens to unravel Josh’s entire operation. The underground still site, painstakingly built to evade detection, was meant to be a game-changer, allowing Josh to produce high-quality multi-grain whiskey—made from oats, wheat, rye, and corn—for the lucrative Piedmont market. “This is gonna sell good and put money in our pockets,” Josh had said, savoring the spicy bite of the rye-heavy blend. But a toxic environment could taint the mash, rendering the whiskey unsellable and wasting weeks of effort. Worse, working in a creosote-laced bunker could sicken Josh, Cuz, and Colt, potentially leading to serious health issues or even carbon monoxide poisoning if the ventilation system fails.

The financial implications are dire. Building the bunker required significant investment in materials, labor, and time, and scrapping it would mean starting over—a costly prospect for a moonshiner operating on thin margins. Josh considered switching to a smaller pot or digging deeper to accommodate the still, but both options are labor-intensive and risky. “I’m tired of digging my way in and out of holes,” he groaned, exhausted from the physical toll of the project. The creosote issue also raises legal concerns: if authorities discover the site, the presence of a hazardous chemical could lead to environmental violations, compounding Josh’s already precarious status as an illegal distiller.

A Blow to Moonshiners’ Narrative

For Moonshiners, the creosote crisis adds a new layer of drama to Josh’s storyline, which has long captivated viewers with his bold, unorthodox approach to moonshining. The Discovery Channel series thrives on the tension between tradition and risk, showcasing shiners like Josh who navigate treacherous terrain—both literal and legal—to keep the craft alive. This incident, however, introduces a modern twist: the dangers of industrial chemicals in a trade rooted in rustic simplicity. It’s a stark reminder that moonshining, while romanticized, is fraught with unforeseen hazards that go beyond dodging revenuers.

The setback could impact Moonshiners’ broader appeal. Josh’s underground bunker was a bold narrative arc, promising high-stakes action and innovation. If he’s forced to abandon the site, the show may lose a compelling storyline, potentially disappointing fans who’ve followed his journey through seasons of busts, betrayals, and breakthroughs. Moreover, the health risks of creosote could spark viewer concern, especially as Moonshiners often glosses over the physical toll of the trade. A prolonged focus on this crisis might also prompt questions about the show’s responsibility to highlight safety, potentially affecting its reputation or prompting Discovery to add disclaimers.

Searching for a Solution

Faced with a toxic still site, Josh is at a crossroads. “I don’t know what to do right now,” he admitted, as Cuz and Colt expressed reluctance to work in the bunker. One option is to replace the creosote-treated poles with untreated wood, but this would require dismantling the roof—a daunting task given the effort already invested. Another is to enhance the ventilation system to ensure no toxins linger, though this may not fully eliminate the risk to the mash. Moving to a new site altogether is a last resort, as it would mean abandoning the bunker’s strategic location and camouflage.

Josh’s determination, a hallmark of his Moonshiners persona, will be tested as he weighs these options. “I’m ready to hit the ground running, but this is one headache after another,” he said, his frustration palpable. Yet, his refusal to give up reflects the resilience that defines moonshiners. Whether he can salvage the site or must start anew, Josh’s next move will shape not only his operation but also his legacy on the show. For now, the Piedmont Plateau hides a toxic secret, and Josh Owens must find a way to keep his moonshine dreams alive without poisoning his crew or his product.