Thank you for sharing this! It has to be unflavored gelatin with no sugar in it. Sweet feed is a type of horse feed that is available at most farm stores. by shadylane Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:20 pm, Post When the hydrometer falls take the reading. by rad14701 Fri Sep 07, 2012 4:51 am, Post If you dont see any bubbles in your airlock after 18-48 hours then check to make sure your bucket is airtight. In some cases yeast will power through and consume everything in a mash. Once there is no activity in the airlock, your mash is ready to run. by tom sawyer Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:16 am, Post For example a bottle of 80 proof Moonshine when shaken will have small bubbles that will disappear after several seconds. 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. Gently add your hydrometer and roll the hydrometer slowly in your hands to remove any bubbles. Yes, its so easy. Drip a few drops of the clear yellow liquid (not the solids) from the top of the mash (after the 90 minute rest) onto a white plate. You can simply use your hydrometer to tell you if your mash is done fermenting. Keep taking readings, if needed, until the gravity stops dropping which means the fermentation is complete. by T-Pee Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:08 pm, Return to Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware, Powered by phpBB Forum Software phpBB Limited. Now that you have removed the carbon dioxide from your mash/shine, it is time to clarify. There are two possible upgrades available. Take the guesswork out of making moonshine with our gravity calculator. Check out our guide to using yeast in moonshine. Then I drain into the kettle and being the boil. This comes in 2 parts: A and B. You can then use your readings to help determine what your ABV will be once your distillation is complete. Knowing how and when to use a hydrometer aid in helping to a better-finished product. You then take another reading two days later, if both readings are the same fermentation has stopped. The primary ingredients used in a moonshine mash are corn and barley. The first is the Condense Upgrade. (Apartment Still), Concentric Pot/Reflux Still (Experimental), A little spoon feeding for New & Novice Distillers. How much shine can I expect to produce when I run my still? I find your article on Corn whiskey interesting, informative and helplful and wonder if you might have a book which flurther details the process which i could plurchase. 2023 HowtoMoonshine Or if the product does fail, you may not want to repeat that mistake again! Please email us directly regarding questions about products. Heat 2 gallons of water (to no more than 120 degrees) and add sugar a few pounds at a time. Check out Everything you Need to Know About Distillation. A mash made with corn, barley, and rye is perhaps the most popular moonshine recipe of all time. 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. When purchased and installed, this upgrade will allow you to produce Average Moonshine, which will sell for higher than Weak Moonshine. While you may run the risk of contamination, there are also benefits to open air fermentation. A standard measuring temperature is 20C or 70 F. This is a tool that is used to determine the potential ABV of your mash. And many end up around those numbers. Fill your hydrometer tube about 2/3 of an inch from the top with the wash/mash you wish to test. If the mixture does not change color, you are ready to distill. I have to believe some of them were sugar washes. I've always went by a recipe and then waited for the bubbles in the air lock to slow to below 3 bubbles a minute. This not only saves you money, but it is also much less to store. 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. If you purchased the hydrometer kit, a 250 ml test jar will be included. When the hydrometer falls take the reading. Transfer this to a kettle and heat to 170F. Place your mash pot on your heat source and turn it on. What type of sugar is best? You can use precision test strips for testing PH, however not all strips are good for reading the entire PH scale. Original Gravity Potential Alcohol. The Moonshiners update is here, and that means players can finally start building up their own illegal alcohol business in Red Dead Online. 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. A 6% to 8% ABV ferment range is a really good range for good flavors and less waste on the alcohol side. Write down the OG (original gravity) aka Starting Gravity (SG) reading on the grain bill sheet. It may reveal itself with time or, if youre lucky, the cask will pull out much of it when aging. Specific gravity, Potential alcohol, the brix standard. Store the mash to ferment for 1-2 weeks at room temperature. Many distillers will also call the specific gravity a brewing hydrometer. Learn everything you need to know about moonshining with simple step-by-step instructions. How do you increase the alcohol content of mash? by Jimbo Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:58 pm, Post To do this is fairly simple. Check it out! Remove a small amount of liquid from your mash (no solids) and place on the plate. I personally always ferment with an airlock. A standard measuring temperature is 20C or 70 F. Step 1: Make the moonshine mash. Making moonshine requires many different elements. If the reading is at 1. As a rule, for a healthy ferment you want oxygen introduced at the onset of fermentation and not afterwards. So it will ferment out to 1.000 at 8%. Learn everything you need to know about moonshining with simple step-by-step instructions. With so many different parts at play, it is important to get some help to avoid wasting your time and ingredients. Taking a reading with a specific gravity hydrometer is easy. Sugar content: The more sugar in your mash, the longer fermentation will take. Add enough mash liquid or wash to the test jar. The wash will keep for up to a month so long as the fermenter is airtight. For the instant gratification seekers in the crowd, heres the short answer: For the researchers, science nerds, alchemists, and truth seekers, heres why:. After 14 days, it should be about done. I find that like many other things in this hobby it is a personal preference. August 11, 2014 Adding sugar to a solution before fermentation may be done for a variety of reasons. Any suggestions on how to know I have gotten all the fermentation? It's a comprehensive guide on making moonshine, from start to finish. If this sounds like we are speaking a different language-fear not- we will break it down nice and simple. When you dont see any bubbles for two days, you can check to see if your fermentation is complete. Keep reading for tips from our reviewer on how to read Plato, Balling, or Brix scales. Dont wait to learn from the old timers,they might sneak off on ya! As alcohol is thinner than water, the higher the alcohol content, the deeper the float sinks. These two chemicals are positive and negatively charged. First, cook the standard corn whiskey mash described above. This is the question on everybodys mind when they purchase a still. Temperature is important if it gets too cold the fermentation can stop because the yeast goes dormant. Rum for example is typically higher. Making moonshine is a serious hobby that requires the proper equipment. Mashing levels out at 152. After adding gypsum, add citric or tartaric acid to adjust the pH of the mash water downward. The first step in making moonshine is to create a moonshine mash. Depending on how vigorously you stirred will make a difference in how much you get in the product. Moonshine was traditionally in the mountains of Appalachia with simple ingredients available to farmers and common folk. Theres too much sugar for the yeast strain youre using. Siphon into still. 5%, because adding 1lb of sugar will increase the potential alcohol by 1. Dirt, dust, bugs and bacteria can all impact the taste and quality of your final product. A hydrometer is a scientific measuring tool that will help you to determine the potential ABV of your mash. A good rule of thumb: if the gravity hasnt changed over the course of three days, then the mash is done fermenting. The small packs of gelatin come with four different sachets of power. Do not simply pour it in. Most shiners I knew used malted corn. The more alcohol there is in the liquid the lower the reading (that is after fermentation as the sugar has now been converted into alcohol). It taste like wine with just a very faint sweetness. This is possible, but keep in mind that many beer yeasts finish around 1. Remember, while brewing is legal in almost all US states, distilling alcohol is illegal without a federal fuel alcohol or distilled spirit plant permit as well as relevant state permits. Read our complete summary for more info. Check out everything you need to know about how to ferment your moonshine mash. So experimenting is the best way to find what works best for you.. Siphon off your beer and charge your still. This is easily done by placing the small plate or saucer in the fridge for about 30 minutes to get it nice and cool before you test. Type of Yeast: The type of yeast used will also determine how long fermentation will take. 243 Likes, TikTok video from Still 'n The Clear (@stillntheclear): "testing specific gravity of my easy mountain brandy sugar mash. If your adding sugar to an AG mash to up the ABV just a little. This hydrometer measures the specific gravity (SG) and potential alcohol (PA). Most moonshiners keep running their stills long after they are finished with the spirit run, collecting down to about 20% ABV before stopping. There are several factors that can influence how long your mash will take to ferment. Any hardware used for mashing, fermenting or aging. Up to a point. Grab your Batch Record Labels! Refractometer how to use specific gravity in mash when making moonshine. by wfw52 Mon Sep 10, 2012 5:34 am, Post You can avoid this stinky fate by removing as much sulfur as you can from your wash. Youd think if people start a web site that people like me visit , would create or at least answer the people that visit your site so if they did want to make there own fuel for there mower could find the answers they need to now lawn mowers sometimes run better when the fuel smells n tastes better also better gas mileage . Each varies in difficulty, cost, and time required to make. To lower the PH of your mash add lemon juice. Insert the hydrometer slowly not allowing it to drop. Most of the sulfur is removed naturally from the carbon dioxide produced by your yeast. You can also predict the potential alcohol of your mash from the original gravity. This can often happen with champagne yeast or distillers yeast. This is also subjective, But like a balance of the two. On average, a decent ABV (alcohol by volume) during the fermentation process should be around 10% to 15%. Less sugar = harsher taste, More starches are converted saving the cost of sugar in larger batches. 020 or higher, you may want to wait a day or two and then take another reading. This is one of the reasons that many moonshiners choose to make a yeast starter to make sure that their yeast is as healthy as possible before adding it to their mash. The number will be the lowest at the end of fermentation. After all, it really only requires some simple equipment and a whole lot of patience. This type of open air fermentation leaves your mash vulnerable to the elements. Today, we will only be discussing and demonstrating the specific gravity hydrometer and how to use it. Unfortunately for speed and yield bakers yeast and sugar were added to the mash. 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. The second step to making moonshine is fermentation. Your yeast depends on it. Using a hydrometer before adding your yeast to get your Original Gravity Reading (OG) and your final gravity reading (FG) after fermentation can help to determine your ABV (alcohol by volume). To make peach moonshine mash, you'll need at least half a bushel of peaches. Making Beer | Brewing Supplies | Copper "Moonshine" Stills | Stainless Steel Stills. At How to Moonshine, we pride ourselves on our quality moonshine stills kits that are both functional and affordable. This is the most cost effective method as it requires you to add nothing to your mash or shine. Adding highly fermentable sugar, such as dextrose, as opposed to adding more grain, will increase the ABV of the final product without increasing sweetness and malt character. However, if your reading has not changed after three days, your fermentation is complete. However, you'll notice that "moonshine" is conspicuously absent. Depending on the maker some shine leaned more toward corn malt flavored sugar shine. You simply need to wait for all the particles in your mixture to settle to the bottom of your fermentation vessel. Dissolve sugar, adding more hot water if necessary. In theory there's no difference between theory and practice. Early American farmers found that the same amount of corn sold for a few dollars at market could easily yield a few hundred dollars after it was mashed, fermented and distilled. How Much Percent Of Alcohol Is In A White Claw? 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. You can go as high as 1.100 and get closer to 15% ABV in the wash. After that, cool to room temperature and transfer to a fermenter. My opinion is this. Please note, the design of our website does not allow us to respond directly to blog comments. Some examples of acetic acid fermentation are apple cider vinegar, wine vinegar and kombucha. The products are broken down into categories to make it easier for you. Never drop or plunge the hydrometer in the test jar, especially in the glass test jar, or most likely you can break the hydrometer. The one I am referring to has been going since the 11th. This is essentially a clay that acts as a sieve for your mash. Did this summary help you? That is why so many people love the Copperhead All-in-One Moonshine Still Kit. by wfw52 Thu Sep 06, 2012 8:55 pm, Post Everything below seven is acidic and everything above 7 is alkaline (also called base). by Prairiepiss Fri Sep 07, 2012 7:20 am, Post by rad14701 Sat Sep 08, 2012 5:35 am, Post And still make a great drink. However, Nutrients are needed as yeast is a living organism and it. Once it reaches 165 F, turn off your heat source. However, if your batches are not coming out properly or your alcohol volumes are low, this could be the reason why. So, we'd suggest that real moonshine needs to be distilled in a copper pot still. When the yeast in your mash/wash eats the sugar and turns it into alcohol, it also releases carbon dioxide. At 70 degrees, add yeast, aerate (by dumping back and forth between two containers), cap, and add an air lock. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 3:10 pm, Post I always meant to have him teach me how to make it,but he passed and with him the recipe. Knowing that, you can increase the alcohol by volume (ABV) by increasing the size of the grain bill or increasing the amount of malt extract used. #moonshiner #moonshine". Though we would suggest that the best way to determine a "real" moonshine mash recipe is to look at historical precedent. Once the mash temperature has dropped to 96 degrees, itis ready for aeration, yeast and fermentation, as described in the Corn Whiskey recipe above. Shoot for a final temperature of 96 degrees and adjust heat of additional water accordingly. 625 070 8. 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). After the mash or wash has finished fermenting which can take up to 2 weeks; take a final reading with a specific gravity hydrometer and write down the final gravity or (FG) as stated in the steps above. 010. This is because as fun as the final product is-making moonshine is really nothing more than a three step science experiment. Sanitization: This is a good rule of thumb not only during fermentation but during the entire moonshining process. Discounts and delicious recipes sent to your inbox Enter Your Email Below. by Bushman Tue Jun 19, 2012 1:30 pm. Compared to cooking your mash and distilling, this step is pretty much a breeze. The brewing hydrometer. This can also occur if the mash is not allowed to ferment long enough to convert all of the fermentable sugars into alcohol. We think there are better ways to make a moonshine mash, but there are also worse and some folks really like the sweet feed option. If your reading is above 1.020 but has not changed in the last three days, your fermentation is complete. Getting Started: Picking Your Type of Moonshine Mash There are several types of mash we can choose from when getting ready to produce a batch of moonshine. Shooting for a starting alcohol higher than this may cause off flavors to show up in the wash and final product due to stressed yeast. by MitchyBourbon Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:45 pm, Post Making moonshine is not the same as following a simple recipe in the kitchen. The act of immersing grains in water and adding malt to convert the grains into sugar is a simple one that involves heat and water. The Specific Gravity scale which is useful for brewing Original Gravity Determination Determining original gravity is carried out so that the amount of sugar in the mash is known. Give the hydrometer a light spin, to remove the air bubbles that may have formed. 2% for a 5 gallon batch. Ethanol fermentation is only one of the three types of fermentation. To raise the PH of your mash add baking soda. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:29 pm, Post This store can be access by talking to Maggie from inside your Moonshine Shack. Just remember anything you add will change the flavor profile. Your hydrometer should indicate the temperature it is calibrated to (a standard reading temperature is 70F or 20C). If you want to increase the strength of your Moonshine, youre going to need to purchase various ugprades from the Moonshiner Store. Is there anything more enticing than the option to make your own high-proof alcohol in the comforts of home? One of the biggest disadvantages of copper stills is that they are often unaffordable, especially for those who are new to moonshining. by whistlewetter Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:57 pm, Post Each reading is different depending on what of spirits you are making. I can't get the pic resized to attach. Oxygen: Yeast needs oxygen to jumpstart fermentation and this is why it is important to aerate your mash before fermentation. At this point all of the starches should be converted into sugar. The last run I stopped after it wouldnt light on fire anymore and after 3 gallons of mash I only yielded about 20 ounces and that took about 3 hours per gallon to distill. If your, Different Techniques to Clear your Mash/Shine. A gravity calculator is used to determine the alcohol by volume. by RevSpaminator Fri Sep 07, 2012 10:06 am, Post If its 1. Additionally, using a copper still can also be helpful in removing sulfur during the distillation process. Sour mash is a technique that has been used for hundreds of years, if not more, to make whiskey mash. iLL BE TRYING THE ALL CORN RECIPE SOON WHEN i FIND A WAY TO CRUSH IT. You think its good, but late in the ferment will cause your beer to oxidize. You can also use a PH reader that will read the entire scale and give you a precise reading. Overly Sweet: If your mash is overly sweet there are two possible reasons. Corn whiskey is preferred because it's naturally sweet, its smooth, and its tradition. However, your hydrometer should also include a conversion chart if your mash is reading at a different temperature than what your hydrometer is calibrated to. Alcohol is thinner than water so the higher the volume of alcohol, the lower the float will sink. How to Use a Specific Gravity Hydrometer for Moonshine. by tom sawyer Mon Sep 10, 2012 9:27 am, Post Turn off heat when target temperature is reached and stir in the 8.5 pounds of corn. The first step in making apple moonshine mash is to gather the ingredients. However, you are not alone in this endeavor. Dilute with water if high. Beers that clarify for 6 weeks carbonate just fine in the bottle with a little more sugar is added for priming. The first reading is before adding or pitching the yeast. If you have trapped carbon dioxide in the liquid it can act as a barrier that stops this process from happening. To find the equipment, head to the Upgrades area of the store. Of course, yielding this type of strong spirit doesnt just happen by accident. Making a mash is basically a 10th grade science experiment. Yes, it can be very confusing for all the names and labels. You can also use a PH reader that will read the entire scale and give you a precise reading. Checking to make sure you are going to get a strong output is a great relief. Give the hydrometer a light spin, to remove the air bubbles that may have formed. He enjoys everything from large-scale RPGs to small, bite-size indie gems and everything in between. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 11:02 am, Post Use sugar as a supplement to a shortfall in the mashing process. I normally do a corn and malted barley recipe and have the "peach brandy" recipe waiting to be distilled. However, instead of dumping the contents of the still (backset) down the drain it will be added to the next batch of mash. I currently have 6, 5 gallon mashes fermenting. Small Scale 1.25" Two Reducer LM Head For Stripping Plus Reflux Column Extension. . The period can be extended if the wash is racked off into a clean airtight container. However, did you know that there are actually a lot of different moonshine mash recipes? With this in mind, the first tool you need to make moonshine is knowledge. This will drop the pH of the mash and make it more consistent from batch to batch. And would be considered low by those who do nothing but sugarheads. Besides there's plenty yeast even if it looks crystal clear. This will be vital for future replication if you absolutely love the final product and wish to make the same again. These ingredients would have included cereal grain and perhaps a bit of granulated sugar. Read this article to learn about yest pitching procedures. But a lot of people, including experienced homebrewers, still accept the myth as fact. 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. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:06 pm, Post If you add more to say a sugarhead ABV range. At How to Moonshine, Add your liquid mash into the hydrometer until it is of the way full, Remove air bubbles by slowly rolling the hydrometer in your hands. The second reading is when the fermentation has stopped in the mash, wort, or wort. Our hydrometer has both Specific . The more sugar in the liquid, the higher the reading. Starting out, youll only be able to make Weak Moonshine, which doesnt sell for all the much. In reality the east is throughout the whole mash or wash, Mashing, fermenting, flavoring and aging related hardware, http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi d#p7104768, viewtopic.php?f=6&t=55219&p=7309262&hil e#p7309262, http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi 3#p7283502. The amount of alcohol produced by a stilldepends on starting alcohol and final proof. mineral, tap or distilled, Not sure how critical the amount of yeast to use for 10 gallon still I use turbo yeast in corn and barley and have been using two packets of yeast is another yeast ok. For your corn whiskey recipe, how much yeast do you add? This is an important tool to start taking your moonshine-making skills to the next level. Remember that fermentation is turning the sugars into ethanol as well as carbon dioxide (which is producing those bubbles). Can you make your mash in a 5 gal bucket? Just check out our Copperhead All-in-One Still. If you add less they'll multiply and get up to numbers, if you add a bunch they just go right to work. Original Gravity OG Measure the gravity of your mash before fermentation and before adding the yeast. Although it isnt as smooth as corn whiskey, what it lacks in flavor and smoothness is made up by convenience. 1000g water + 1000g sugar (dissolved) divided by, a little over, 1000ml (due to addition of said sugar). That has been debunked by many here who have been using the stuff for years and can go to 10% without any problem. Temperature is a key factor when measuring the specific gravity of a liquid the hydrometer should indicate the temperature its calibrated to, and also include an adjustment table. Have you ever had moonshine horseradish? Over-yeasting is really not much of a problem. This, in turn, can be converted into gallons and gallons of apple moonshine mash, and then be distilled into a lot of apple moonshine. Healthy yeast is required for good fermentation. Rest it longer. Discard the sample. Once the target temp is met, stir in the malted barley. Then, siphon into a still, being careful to not overfill (the vapor cone should not contain any liquid). Add cool water and/or ice until you're at a volume of about 6.6 gallons, cooling the "sugar water" mixture so that it reaches 100 F. Take a hydrometer reading to find out your specific gravity (and write it down!). Your hydrometer should also include a conversion chart if your mash is reading at a different temperature than what your hydrometer is calibrated to. It's made by starting with an actual mash, such as the one above, and then adding water and granular sugar to increase the quantity of wash. Yeast-Read this article to learn about yest pitching procedures. by MitchyBourbon Thu Jan 22, 2015 3:04 pm, Post I've pasted a quick reference guide for some of the yeasts often used for making moonshine that we sell below: High Spirits Turbo 48 Turbo Yeast: 86-100F High Spirits Turbo 24 Turbo Yeast: 86-100F Prestige 8kg Turbo Yeast: 75-80F