It depends on what type of wash you have but as a general rule of thumb, it is best to distil within 2-3 days after fermentation is complete. Thus, mashing corn and turning it into alcohol became the standard method of alcohol production on the early American frontier, and corn whiskey was born. Bentonite will usually clear your mash in about 24-48 hours. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 175,201 times. During the fermentation process, While these chemical compounds will not affect the smell or taste of your moonshine, it will, One important tool in making moonshine is a. is used to determine the density or specific gravity (SG) of a liquid in comparison to water. That is why so many people love the Copperhead All-in-One Moonshine Still Kit. Check out our guide to using yeast in moonshine. Shipping Update: Shipping Daily M-F. Orders Placed After 10 AM Ship the Next Business Day. Any posts asking distilling questions will be deleted. whats the temp, youre only half done, if you trust the reading, it wasnt chunky in a hydrometer was it? About This Article Article Summary X To read a hydrometer, pour a sample of the liquid you want to test into a clean, transparent container. His passion is teaching people about the many uses of distillation equipment as well as how to make beer at home. The fermentation process, prior to the distillation process, will REALLY determine how much you should expect to yield. This is a basic corn whiskey mash that is widely used by a lot of shiners as an easy go-to simple mash recipe. About the worst thing you could expect would be a very rapid ferment and possibly more of a temperature rise than you might want. A standard measuring temperature is 20C or 70 F. This is amazing! Specific gravity, Potential alcohol, the brix standard. I plan on building an insulated box big enough to hold two carboys and try to use a light bulb as a heat source. Have you ever had moonshine horseradish? If your reading is 1.000 your mash is ready to distill. Many distillers will also call the specific gravity a brewing hydrometer. Cover and leave it be for about90 minutes, uncovering only to stir every 15 minutes or so. This spirit is a palatable moonshine when collected directly out of the still; Collect your run down to your stopping point; Together, the heads and tails are reused as feints; I do not normally go as low as 20%, youll have to find your comfort zone; If you start to get blue or green flecks in your spirit, youve gone too far or run things too hot; The chart below shows how many pounds of sugar are required to reach a particular potential alcohol percentage for a 1, 5, and 10 gallons of finished fermented beer, wine, etc; A couple of notes, this chart assumes that the fermentation will end at 1; Lets pretend that we make 5 gallon batch of what is supposed to be a Double IPA; The ABV for such a style is somewhere north of 7; Assuming you add enough grains to craft a 6; 3% ABV beer, according to the chart, youll need to add at least 1lb of sugar to hit a potential alcohol of 7; A 1 gallon run will yield 3-6 cups of alcohol, A 5 gallon run will yield 1-2 gallons of alcohol, A 8 gallon run will yield 1. But a lot of people, including experienced homebrewers, still accept the myth as fact. by tom sawyer Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:27 am, Post I figured I might of screwed that one up. However, Nutrients are needed as yeast is a living organism and it. you guys gave me what I was looking for !!!! Additionally, using a copper still can also be helpful in removing sulfur during the distillation process. The gravity would be approx 2.000 i.e. Aerate by dumping back and forth between two buckets a few times. Drip a drop or two of the tincture of iodine onto the sample on plate. If you add less they'll multiply and get up to numbers, if you add a bunch they just go right to work. Sugar content: The more sugar in your mash, the longer fermentation will take. Though, this method can completely change the recipe if all other factors remain the same, so a popular method for increasing the ABV of an existing beer recipe without bringing much change, is to simply add more sugar into the mix. However, after the final rest period, add 5 gallons of cold water and 6-8 pounds of sugar. Make sure you get the right strips for the type of distilling you are doing. This is completely new to me and something I new nothing about until reading through this cool site. As with all matters of life, there are two ways of monitoring the fermentation of your mash: the easy way and the complicated way. by Washashore Sat Sep 08, 2012 6:12 am, Post Depending on the type of yeast used, the concentration of sugar in the wort and ambient temperature, fermentation will usually take between five days and several weeks to complete. Any hardware used for mashing, fermenting or aging. Over-yeasting is really not much of a problem. While you may run the risk of contamination, there are also benefits to open air fermentation. When the hydrometer falls take the reading. This will drop the pH of the mash and make it more consistent from batch to batch. Transfer this to a kettle and heat to 170F. However, the warmer the temperature the faster fermentation will complete. They will give off foul smells and flavors around this ABV. The term was coined due to the fact that early bootleggers often made their whiskey in the middle of the night, under the light of a full moon out of sight of neighbors and the law. You can get a higher SG with all-grain than 1.05 but it gets more difficult since the more grain you use, the more it becomes a big pile of mush. Fusel alcohols: While these chemical compounds will not affect the smell or taste of your moonshine, it will produce a horrible hangover. It will absorb water, expand and then slowly settle to the bottom grabbing the particles from your mixture as it falls. Read our complete summary for more info. If the distilling environment isn't this warm, wrap the fermenter in a blanket and use a heating pad if necessary. Refer to the instructions that came with the hydrometer you purchased. Turn off heat when target temperature is reached and stir in the 8.5 pounds of corn. A gravity calculator is used to determine the alcohol by volume. YOU GUYS KNOW YOUR STUFF !! Your first post MUST go here. Make sure that where you are storing your mash is going to be out of direct sunlight or drafts where an even temperature can be maintained. Before you add your yeast it is important to measure the gravity in your mash. You will need this to compare notes to the SG-(OG) to get your percentage of PA. Understanding the use of the specific gravity hydrometer and its important role in making spirits is key. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:02 am, Post If you purchased the hydrometer kit, a 250 ml test jar will be included. When the hydrometer falls take the reading. Apple moonshine is one of the more popular styles among all of the various fruit moonshine mash options. by Jimbo Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:07 pm, Post One is that you may have ended up with, If your mash has absolutely no sweetness-or taste-your yeast is to blame. Check out Everything you Need to Know About Distillation. The one I am referring to has been going since the 11th. Never drop or plunge the hydrometer in the test jar, especially in the glass test jar, or most likely you can break the hydrometer. And would be considered low by those who do nothing but sugarheads. Turn off heat when target temperature is reached and stir in the 8.5 pounds of corn. Shoot for a constant fermentation temperature of 70 degrees for the shortest fermentation time and highest alcohol yield. It has to be unflavored gelatin with no sugar in it. Depending on how vigorously you stirred will make a difference in how much you get in the product. by bearriver Thu Jan 22, 2015 1:01 pm, Post This, in turn, can be converted into gallons and gallons of apple moonshine mash, and then be distilled into a lot of apple moonshine. Fill your hydrometer tube about 2/3 of an inch from the top with the wash/mash you wish to test. And it takes more beer to make less alcohol. Can corn sugar be used instead of granulated sugar, My rye recipe calls for mash 5.8 ph, mine is 3.2 ph, what do I do to get it to 5.8 Ph. Compared to cooking your mash and distilling, this step is pretty much a breeze. One of the best things you can do before making your first mash is to really take the time to learn the steps and the safety precautions necessary. Repeat the process starting at the Second Fermentation. Step 1 - Shake up a Mason Jar bottle of Moonshine Step 2 - Watch how fast bubbles dissipate at this point your checking the "bead" (see picture) The faster the bubbles disappear the higher the content of alcohol. Insert the hydrometer slowly not allowing it to drop. Releasing the carbon dioxide in your mash can be as simple as shaking your fermentation bucket, removing the lid to allow the carbon dioxide to escape and repeating as necessary. Sanitize all of your equipment and use an airlock filled with sanitized water. Add them to a fruit press and squeeze as much juice out as possible. Fermentation is the most critical step in the brewing process when yeast turns the sugar in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Tradition: Many moonshiners want to make their shine the old-fashioned way. 000 Kas All grain, wine, beer, other fermentations, might not even get down to 1. There are several factors that can influence how long your mash will take to ferment. If your reading is 1.020 or higher, you should wait a few days. 000 specific gravity. In a week or two fermentation will be complete. Make sure you have enough liquid in the test jar at least up to the top reading on the jar. However, did you know that there are actually a lot of different moonshine mash recipes? Healthy yeast is required for good fermentation. Alcohol is thinner than water so the higher the volume of alcohol, the lower the float will sink. 5%, because adding 1lb of sugar will increase the potential alcohol by 1. Making moonshine requires many different elements. by tom sawyer Tue Sep 11, 2012 4:09 am, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited. How to use a specific gravity hydrometer is easy if you follow along. Starting out, youll only be able to make Weak Moonshine, which doesnt sell for all the much. Half (or quarter, depending on strength of mill), Collect juice in a bucket and pulp in a nylon strainer bag, 10 gallons of water (5 gal to start then 5 more). If you want to make the best Moonshine in the business, though, youre going to need to purchase the Polished Copper Upgrade. You will need more than one type of hydrometer to make moonshine. Each reading is different depending on what of spirits you are making. Products such as whisky, Bourbon, gin, vodka, and more are all defined in chapter 4 of the Beverage Alcohol Manual. It is also an all-in-one kit that can be used as both a still and fermentor, saving you both time and money. But how do you know when fermentation is complete? Ok, so, if I am correct so far I have a question. One of the biggest disadvantages of copper stills is that they are often unaffordable, especially for those who are new to moonshining. This is essentially a clay that acts as a sieve for your mash. Make sure to leave yeast and other sediment behind. Available after Moonshiner Rank 10, this upgrade costs $875 and 3 Tokens. By stirring, youll reintroduce oxygen into the ferment. The period can be extended if the wash is racked off into a clean airtight container. An airlock isn't much of a tool for a distiller. The number will be the lowest at the end of fermentation. For example, you would use one of these to measure the starting and ending gravity of a wort or mash during the brew day and after fermentation. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:24 pm, Post . You can use precision test strips for testing PH, however not all strips are good for reading the entire PH scale. Affiliate Disclaimer HowToMoonshine.co is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A hydrometer is a scientific measuring tool that will help you to determine the potential ABV of your mash. However, sweet feed is generally oats, barley, corn, and also typically contains some molasses (cane sugar). The specific gravity hydrometer kit with the glass test cylinder is highly recommended over the test kit with the plastic cylinder for many reasons. Temperature: Your temperature needs will depend on the manufacturers instructions on the yeast you have used. Each one has its own service and cannot be interchanged. Besides there's plenty yeast even if it looks crystal clear. I think you can take that as being the kind of range in yeast cell cont that will work. Check for activity after 12 hours. It should make up roughly 25% of the next mash. As an example, if you test your mash/wash before adding the yeast and the reading is 1.040, then the density of the solution is 1.04 times that of water. You simply need to wait for all the particles in your mixture to settle to the bottom of your fermentation vessel. thats THE FUN OF HOME DISTILLATION ! by shadylane Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:20 pm, Post No matter how you choose to aerate, the most important thing is that you do it. A specific gravity hydrometer measures the sugar content of the wash and the mash to determine the potential alcohol (PA). How does it work? I cannot wait to try this out and try some moonshine. Also, the chart assumes a starting point of zero sugar in the solution. Once the target temp is met, stir in the malted barley. 00 It depends on the additional things in the liquid, suspended solids, unfermentable sugars, etc. 14K views 1 year ago All Moonshine Videos How to use a specific gravity hydrometer for moonshine is easy once you understand the numbers. If this sounds like we are speaking a different language-fear not- we will break it down nice and simple. You can get a higher SG with all-grain than 1.05 but it gets more difficult since the more grain you use, the more it becomes a big pile of mush. To do this is fairly simple. At this range you get a great tasting, smooth shine. Once the target temp is met, stir in the malted barley. You can aerate your mash by pouring it from one bucket to another about 12 times or picking up your bucket and shaking it for about 60 seconds. The Largest Online Resource for Distillers, Post This requires Moonshiner Rank 5, and will cost a total of $825 plus 2 Tokens. ou can aerate your mash by pouring it from one bucket to another about 12 times or picking up your bucket and shaking it for about 60 seconds. Snake Oil Whiskey And Miracle Elixir - It'll cure ya or kill ya. You do end up with more waste on the water side as in backset. This comes in 2 parts: A and B. However, you are not alone in this endeavor. Some people go higher and if that's what you like then you can do it. For Lautering I heat the water to 175-180. After I drain the initial mash I add the lautering water and let that soak for 10 minutes. Refer to our PH section above for how to calculate and adjust the PH of your mash. Everything you need to know to upgrade your still and make stronger moonshine in Red Dead Online. These days moonshine actually refers to a robust commercial market of high proof, unaged, and often flavored spirits, such as the products made by Ole Smoky. The small packs of gelatin come with four different sachets of power. If you have trapped carbon dioxide in the liquid it can act as a barrier that stops this process from happening. On average, a decent ABV (alcohol by volume) during the fermentation process should be around 10% to 15%. Also, some people don't care about corn flavorthey'd rather have apple pie, peaches, or other fruit flavors. many thanks. Heat 5 gallons of mash water up to 165F. If you do wind up with more sugar than needed, simply add more water in order to reduce the sugar concentration. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 3:10 pm, Post A day or two after adding the yeast, youll see the airlock bubble and know the stuffs doing its fermenting business. You mite as well not waist your time doing AG. Distill your whiskey in the same manner you did during your first run, being conservative with your cuts until you gain more skill. 5-3 gallons of alcohol, A 10 gallon run will yield 2-4 gallons of alcohol. If you still do not see any activity after 12 hours add a new yeast starter. Although the first step called making a mash or making a wash, often happens in the kitchen, it is more complicated than following the average recipe. As a rule, for a healthy ferment you want oxygen introduced at the onset of fermentation and not afterwards. Check out Non-Toxic Cleaners on the blog. the temperature levels out around 170-172. Weigh and measure out all your ingredients. by Jimbo Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:58 pm, Post by Bushman Tue Jun 19, 2012 1:30 pm. This is a non-scientific method but pretty reliable in judging when fermentation is completed. 375% 068 8. Looking for products for your moonshining journey? get started with brewing or distilling! What should hydrometer read after fermentation? Temperature will also play a role in the hydrometer reading. Note: The the collection bucket and the fermentation vessel can actually be the same container. Using a hydrometer is simple and it can tell you exactly what you need to know to get started with the distillation process. The Double IPA we brewed a while ago, for example, called for a 12 ounce dextrose addition.