This is an important step to take as much of the popularity of moonshine comes from its strength. It is always better to keep the production of fusel alcohols to a minimum. If you still do not see any activity after 12 hours add a new yeast starter. So, you may not have noticed it in the product you pulled, but chances are its there. We are a participant with the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. How much shine can I expect to produce when I run my still? by Prairiepiss Mon Sep 10, 2012 5:49 am, Post Just a thought , I believe that is why most AG distillers shoot for a potential 8% with a starting gravity of around 1.060. Advanced distillers should shoot for a specific gravity of about 1.08. Shine on.. Can someone please tell me how do I do run my shine a second time do I just dump the distillate in the pot or do I add water to as well, How much yeast for the corn whiskey recipe. Still on yeastbecause I just ran across this. The brewing hydrometer. This requires Moonshiner Rank 5, and will cost a total of $825 plus 2 Tokens. 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. Dissolve sugar, adding more hot water if necessary. SAVE the TAXFor a limited time only save the tax on all stills! Clearing your mash is essentially getting all the sediment to settle so you can remove the liquid from the particles. Like the experiments we learned in science class, making moonshine requirements close attention paid to the many different variables such as time, temperature, and pH level. Sulfur: Is there anything worse than spending a bunch of time and money on making moonshine only to have it taste like rotten eggs? 000, because of the sugars present in the mash. The first step in making apple moonshine mash is to gather the ingredients. If the reading is 1.020 or above, you still need to ferment for a day or two. For Lautering I heat the water to 175-180. the temperature levels out around 170-172. Repeat the Process After your run, collect 1-1/4 gallons of backset to return to the fermenter for your next batch. However, you are not alone in this endeavor. Read our complete summary for more info. However, instead of dumping the contents of the still (backset) down the drain it will be added to the next batch of mash. Since there no standard recipe for moonshine (like there is for Bourbon), it can be made from any combination of grains in any type of still. The trade off for really high ABV (16% or higher) is, higher alcohol/shine that isnt worth drinking from a taste perspective. Beers that clarify for 6 weeks carbonate just fine in the bottle with a little more sugar is added for priming. 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. by Prairiepiss Fri Sep 07, 2012 7:20 am, Post Fermentation may be the easiest step of making moonshine, but it is also the longest. Click on the Bar of Dish Soap to Visit Our Amazon Storefront! And still make a great drink. Fermentation requires a whole lot of time and not much else from you-other than patience that is. Make sure to document your readings on a grain bill or other chart that you use to keep your notes in. by CR33G3R Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:55 pm, Post what water is best to use for your mash and why All you need for this test is: The only scientific way to check for fermentation is to use a Hydrometer. Note: The the collection bucket and the fermentation vessel can actually be the same container. by Prairiepiss Mon Sep 10, 2012 7:32 am, Post The reading will be higher than 1.000, because of the sugars present in the mash. Keep adding sugar until all sugar has been added / dissolved. testing specific gravity of my easy mountain brandy sugar mash - TikTok Dirt, dust, bugs and bacteria can all impact the taste and quality of your final product. A good rule of thumb: if the gravity hasnt changed over the course of three days, then the mash is done fermenting. How to Make Strawberry Moonshine - American Home Distillers Distilling (or proofing) hydrometer A brewing hydrometer can be used to measure the specific gravity of high and medium gravity solutions. 875% 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. 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. To make sour mash, you'll first need to make a regular mash and then distill the mash. Add the sweet feed and cook for 90 minutes, Add 1 package of high proof distillers yeast. Final Gravity Potential Alcohol Using the chart above and some math, you can calculate the alcohol content of your mash after fermentation is complete. We will not sell, share, or use your contact information. Though we would suggest that the best way to determine a "real" moonshine mash recipe is to look at historical precedent. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 2:29 pm, Post Our parent blog and channel have the how-to, recipes, and more. get started with brewing or distilling! This site is very educational. This handy guide is designed for those who are brand new to moonshining or simply want to take their skills to the next level. Fermentation is the most critical step in the brewing process when yeast turns the sugar in the wort into alcohol and carbon dioxide. Acetaldehyde: This nasty compound is one of the reasons that foreshots should never be consumed (more about that during the distillation section). 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. We offer quality craft stills, easy-to-understand manuals, how-to guides, and step-by-step recipes. You can also predict the potential alcohol of your mash from the original gravity. Alcohol has a starting gravity (SG) of 1.000 on the hydrometer scale. This is perfectly acceptable, especially for those new to the craft. This part of the process will depend on the flavor you want. The alcohol content of the wash was low because you did not use a recipe that included nutrients for the yeast to live on. To find the equipment, head to the Upgrades area of the store. Less sugar = harsher taste, More starches are converted saving the cost of sugar in larger batches. If the reading is at 1. A mash made with corn, barley, and rye is perhaps the most popular moonshine recipe of all time. Your batch will clear in about 24-48 hours. Leave it settle for another week and it will be ready to distill. Enter your email address below and we'll send you a free eBook on how to What Does a Specific Gravity Hydrometer Measure, How to Take a Specific Gravity Hydrometer, Steps to Use a Hydrometer in Moonshine Mash. Please see the footer for FBC Disclaimer, Privacy Policy, Terms, and Conditions. At this range you get a great tasting, smooth shine. For example a bottle of 80 proof Moonshine when shaken will have small bubbles that will disappear after several seconds. When the hydrometer falls take the reading. 625 070 8. It is one extra step that many experienced moonshiners understand can make the difference between a good batch and a great one. Some examples of lactic acid fermentation are sourdough bread, pickles, kimchi and yogurt. Oxygen: Yeast needs oxygen to jumpstart fermentation and this is why it is important to aerate your mash before fermentation. Any posts asking distilling questions will be deleted. The reading will be higher than 1. Fill your hydrometer tube about 2/3 of an inch from the top with the wash/mash you wish to test. The first step in making moonshine is to create a moonshine mash. Also, the chart assumes a starting point of zero sugar in the solution. 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. iN THE MEANTIME .. i WANT TO TRY RICE MASH HEARD RUMOURS BUT NOT SURE WHAT TO EXPECT FROM IT MAYBE HARSH ? His passion is teaching people about the many uses of distillation equipment as well as how to make beer at home. This number can help to predict the potential alcohol of your mash. After 14 days, check your airlock. Used for taking density measurements for the mash during fermentation. Your temperature needs will depend on the manufacturers instructions on the yeast you have used. by warp1 Mon Sep 10, 2012 3:31 pm, Post I put another mash in the tub too just to see what happens. The higher the ABV the yeast has to live in, the more stressed they get, and eventually will die off. The specific gravity hydrometer also called the triple scale distilling hydrometer provides 3 choices of readings in one hydrometer. You can use precision test strips for testing PH, however not all strips are good for reading the entire PH scale. Stir the mash continuously for about 5 minutes then stir for a few seconds every five minutes until the temperature drops to 152F. Give the hydrometer a light spin, to remove the air bubbles that may have formed. This makes complete sense when you consider that fermentation is the transformation of sugar into alcohol. And would be considered low by those who do nothing but sugarheads. Make sure that you read the fermenting temperatures that are printed on the yeast that you're using. How to read a refractometer is important to get the most accurate reading of the spe. The products are broken down into categories to make it easier for you. taste it to see if it is dry "no sweet taste". by bearriver Thu Jan 22, 2015 3:53 pm, Post I stuck it in a tub of hot water as well as used a fish tank heater. Could you use corn maze malt instead of Barley malt to make it gluten free? During the fermentation process healthy yeast will produce ethanol and carbon dioxide. I've got a bourbon mash (12lb cracked corn, 4lb 2-row, 1lb rye, final vol 6gal) that started at 1.080 and it looks like it's going to finish fermenting around 1.014 (8.7% abv). Check where the surface of the liquid hits on the hydrometer and get your reading. Could be good or bad for what you are after. In general, fermentation takes a steady temperature, good environment and lots of patience. Available after Moonshiner Rank 10, this upgrade costs $875 and 3 Tokens. by MitchyBourbon Thu Jan 22, 2015 4:45 pm, Post . Again, I recommend 70% ABV for beginners, perhaps a few degrees into the 60s if you are bold. This is what I always shoot for and I believe it makes the smoothest product. by rad14701 Fri Sep 07, 2012 4:51 am, Post Sparkolloid will usually clear your mash in about 24-48 hours. . Traditionally many moonshiners would ferment in the open-air. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 1:48 pm, Post We don't answer questions about recipes, procedures, etc. Youll need a fair amount of equipment to process the fruit and make the apple moonshine mash. During fermentation, these sugars will be consumed by yeast causing the density and therefore specific gravity to lower. Modern, commercially produced moonshine, is subject to regulation. After I drain the initial mash I add the lautering water and let that soak for 10 minutes. Add them to a fruit press and squeeze as much juice out as possible. However, the warmer the temperature the faster fermentation will complete. Banana Moonshine - Home Distiller You need to learn the proper steps and procedures in order to actually achieve this. So experimenting is the best way to find what works best for you.. Siphon off your beer and charge your still. This will tell you that the fermentation is working properly. How to Make a Simple Mash for Moonshine If it turns blue, there is still starch in the mixture. These two chemicals are positive and negatively charged. . Also, some people don't care about corn flavorthey'd rather have apple pie, peaches, or other fruit flavors. by Bushman Tue Jun 19, 2012 1:30 pm. Snake Oil Whiskey And Miracle Elixir - It'll cure ya or kill ya. Instead, we suggest getting a quality craft still with a thorough manual and easy to understand instructions. When he isn't brewing beer or writing about it, you can find him at his local gym or on the running trail. Turn off heat when target temperature is reached and stir in the 8.5 pounds of corn. Phenols: These nasty compounds can cause your mash to have a medicinal, plastic or band-aid type taste. Grab some corn (about 30 pounds) and mix it with water at a ratio of three parts water to one part corn. Once you have noticed the activity in your airlock is slowing down, you can take a, While certainly not a step that beginners need to worry themselves with, adjusting the PH of your mash is a. for testing PH, however not all strips are good for reading the entire PH scale. 092 and the FG is 0. If the distilling environment isn't this warm, wrap the fermenter in a blanket and use a heating pad if necessary. Each reading is different depending on what of spirits you are making. 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. While these unwanted compounds can be removed while making your cuts (we will discuss this more in the How to Distill your Moonshine). After all, it really only requires some simple equipment and a whole lot of patience. Our hydrometer has both Specific . The ideal shape is wide and shallow to more easily produce esters, which is a reason this practice is popular for many breweries. The airlock IMO gives you quick feedback as to how the ferment is progressing and also allows you to just leave it for awhile if you can't get to running it. Shipping Update: Shipping Daily M-F. Orders Placed After 10 AM Ship the Next Business Day. In ethanol fermentation, one glucose molecule is broken down to two ethanol molecules and three carbon dioxide molecules. Temperature will also play a role in the hydrometer reading. 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. If the reading is 1.020 or above, you still need to ferment for a day or two. It will measure the amount of sugar in the liquid. After adding gypsum, add citric or tartaric acid to adjust the pH of the mash water downward. Using a Grain Bill for Record Keeping Discounts and delicious recipes sent to your inbox Enter Your Email Below. How long can a wash sit before distilling? Use sugar as a supplement to a shortfall in the mashing process. Nutrients: Nutrients are needed as yeast is a living organism and it needs nutrients to survive. However, feel free to leave a comment or respond to comments made by others! Add your liquid mash into your hydrometer to fill it about of the way to the top. In a week or two fermentation will be complete. I would stay within normal AG ABV range. Once the target temp is met, stir in the malted barley. There are several factors that can influence how long your mash will take to ferment. A standard measuring temperature is 20C or 70 F. It was really good. This is where hydrometer readings are handy, because helps you determine how much sugar is already in the mash and how much sugar you need to add in order to get the potential alcohol level youre looking for. Typically, this happens before fermentation takes place and before you add yeast to your mash. The hydrometer indicates the density, or specific gravity SG of a liquid, compared to water. If you want to use this method simply, If you still do not see any activity after 12 hours. This is a basic corn whiskey mash that is widely used by a lot of shiners as an easy go-to simple mash recipe. Read our complete summary for more info. What youll need is a beer or wine hydrometer. Thank you Tom, Rad and Washashore for your response !!! Cooking a thin mash is an easy way to double the quantity of mash while retaining some of the natural grain flavor of corn whiskey. Here are some of our favorite moonshine mash recipes that produce high-quality moonshine: First, let's establish a definition for moonshine. Along with the scientific methods used to produce your moonshine, there are also scientific terms and tools to learn along the way. While this is not a necessary step, failing to do this step can result in the particles in your wash/mash getting burned on the bottom of your still. by T-Pee Fri Jan 23, 2015 4:01 pm, Post First, you will need to create your mash. Tradition: Many moonshiners want to make their shine the old-fashioned way. This is a non-scientific method but pretty reliable in judging when fermentation is completed. 14K views 1 year ago All Moonshine Videos How to use a specific gravity hydrometer for moonshine is easy once you understand the numbers. Once temperature is reached, add 6 pounds of cane sugar. In simple terms, moonshine is an unaged spirit distilled in a copper pot still from a mash made primarily of barley and corn. While you may run the risk of contamination, there are also benefits to open air fermentation. In ethanol fermentation, For those of us without a science degree, or simply those who did not pay enough attention during their high school science classes, this is the act in which the benecial microbes (yeast), During the moonshine process, fermentation requires. 243 Likes, TikTok video from Still 'n The Clear (@stillntheclear): "testing specific gravity of my easy mountain brandy sugar mash. With so many different parts at play, it is important to get some help to avoid wasting your time and ingredients. If this sounds like we are speaking a different language-fear not- we will break it down nice and simple. This not only saves you money, but it is also much less to store. I've never had a beer stall out when I over-pitched. Also, the chart assumes a starting point of zero sugar in the solution. As a mash or a wash should contain sugar, it will be denser than water and will have a different SG. However, after the final rest period, add 5 gallons of cold water and 6-8 pounds of sugar. This blog provides information for educational purposes only. Your hydrometer should also include a conversion chart if your mash is reading at a different temperature than what your hydrometer is calibrated to. Original Gravity Potential Alcohol. Roll it gently between your hands to remove any air bubbles. Introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your interest in distilling. This can also occur if the mash is not allowed to ferment long enough to convert all of the fermentable sugars into alcohol. by T-Pee Fri Jan 23, 2015 12:57 pm, Post 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. 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. by whistlewetter Fri Jan 23, 2015 3:40 pm, Post Moonshine Gravity Calculator - HowtoMoonshine If your bucket is airtight, swirl the contents to mix them well. One of the most important elements is healthy yeast. However, you'll notice that "moonshine" is conspicuously absent. Within good reason. Keep in mind that you want your mash to be cool when performing the test. 000 specific gravity. New to distillation, or simply new to the HD forums. This is also subjective, But like a balance of the two. I heat my mash water to 165 and mash the grains for 60 minutes. you can put your mash in the chest freezer. by whistlewetter Thu Jan 22, 2015 1:22 pm, Post by Prairiepiss Fri Sep 07, 2012 4:47 pm, Post At about 18% ABV, for most yeast strands, they become very stressed due to their living conditions. This complete moonshine starter kit includes all of the necessary items to start making wine, beer, moonshine, liquors and more. Before you clarify, it is important to release the carbon dioxide from your mash. A standard measuring temperature is 20C or 70 F. 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 . Joined: Tue Mar 30, 2010 1:29 pm. To avoid this, it is important to use bottled or filtered water in your mash (to avoid using chlorinated water) and to sanitize all the equipment you use to make your mash. A sugarhead most shoot for around 10% to 12%; Or more product from a single still charge; But the added sugar will dilute the flavors; When first starting AG it can be tough hitting the numbers you want; And sugar makes a good little supplement if needed; DME or LME would be better if AG is really what your after; Anything collected under 80% ABV on this run is considered a Sour Mash whiskey; Congratulations! From what I have gathered and if I understand correctly you want your mash to start at 1.06 and when it drops below 1.0 that indicates that the fermentation process is done? Now that you have removed the carbon dioxide from your mash/shine, it is time to clarify. However, Nutrients are needed as yeast is a living organism and it. Discounts and delicious recipes sent to your inbox Enter Your Email Below, That is because the act of fermentation is one that. If you want to use this method simply check your airlock between 18 hours and 48 hours after you add your yeast. This works because alcohol is thinner than water so the higher the volume of alcohol, the lower the float will sink. by whistlewetter Thu Jan 22, 2015 12:57 pm, Post Start by checking out the website TTBGOV for any legal questions you may have or need to be answered. Specific gravity, Potential alcohol, the brix standard. The closest definition you'll find is for a "white whiskey," which is actually what moonshine is - clear (unaged) whiskey. A commercial distiller making a high quality finished product would believe that pure, all grain whiskey is the way to go when making a craft spirit. If the pH needs adjusted upward, add calcium carbonate (CaCO3). 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. Products such as whisky, Bourbon, gin, vodka, and more are all defined in chapter 4 of the Beverage Alcohol Manual. I love how you can get recipes and know whats in Moonshine. Alcohol is thinner than water so the higher the volume of alcohol, the lower the float will sink. You think its good, but late in the ferment will cause your beer to oxidize. The wash will keep for up to a month so long as the fermenter is airtight. If you want to check if your mash is ready for distillation you can do so with a simple iodine test. Most shiners I knew used malted corn. The small packs of gelatin come with four different sachets of power. Though before you make a moonshine mash at home, it's essential to keep in mind that making moonshine mash is generally legal, but distilling alcohol at home without a federal fuel alcohol or distilled spirit plant permit (for commercial distillers) is illegal. I think you can take that as being the kind of range in yeast cell cont that will work. 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.