In order to make 5 gallons of moonshine, you will need approximately 28.35 pounds (12.85 kg) of grain mash. This will vary depending on the type of mash used, but this is the general amount needed. Generally, a good rule of thumb is 1 pound (0.
45 kg) of grain mash per gallon of moonshine. Therefore, for 5 gallons of moonshine, you would need 5 pounds (2.27 kg) of grain mash. Generally, the mash will consist of approximately 80% corn, 10% barley and 10% rye.
However, the grain bill can vary depending on the recipe being used. Once the grain bill has been determined, the mash will need to be ground and mixed with hot water in order to create a mash. The mash will then need to be fermented, distilled, and finally aged before it can be considered finished moonshine.
How much moonshine do you throw away?
That depends on how much moonshine I have made and the reason for getting rid of it. Generally, I try to avoid throwing away any moonshine I have made, as alcohol is an expensive resource, and it can be wasteful.
However, if I’ve produced a batch that doesn’t meet my quality standards, I’ll throw it out as I don’t see the point of keeping something that’s not up to par. In that case, I might throw away anywhere from a few cups to a bottle or two.
Also, I sometimes have to discard moonshine that has been stored too long – if the alcohol has changed color or has spoiled, I’ll pour it out. Additionally, if local laws allow it, I may donate or discard unsold or leftover moonshine that I’ve made to local charities.
How much mash do you put in a 5 gallon still?
When you’re set up to run a 5 gallon still, it’s important to calculate the amount of mash you’ll need to use in order to reach your desired amount of alcohol. As a general rule of thumb, you should use roughly 5 gallons of mash for a 5 gallon still.
That said, it’s important to take into account the type of wort you’re using, as different types of mashes will require different amounts. For instance, a high-gravity wort may need to be cut with water to reduce the total ABV.
The math that you’ll need to do can vary depending on the type of mash you’re using, but in general you’ll take the amount of mash required to reach your desired ABV, multiply it by the amount of alcohol in the mash, and then divide it by the amount of alcohol you’re aiming for in your finished product.
For example, if you’re using a 5 gallon mash that has an ABV of 10%, you’ll need to multiply 5 gallons by 10% to get 0.5 gallons, then divide that by your desired ABV of say, 20%. The result of this calculation would tell you how much mash you need to put in the still, which in this case would be 0.25 gallons.
Once you’ve calculated the amount of mash required, it’s important to keep in mind that the efficiency of the still will impact how much mash you’ll be able to fit in the still. For instance, in a 5 gallon still with a 30% efficiency, you should generally plan on using only 3 gallons of mash in order to produce the desired amount of alcohol.
In order to ensure a successful distillation, it’s important that you determine the amount of mash accurately before beginning the process. After taking into consideration the type of mash, the desired ABV, and efficiency of your still, you can then determine how much mash you should put in a 5 gallon still.
How much will a 10 gallon still produce?
A 10 gallon still can produce up to 10 gallons of final product. The amount of final product will depend on the type of still being used, the type of product being produced, and the length of time spent running the still.
On average, a 10 gallon still can result in 5 to 6 gallons of final product per 8-hour run. This can translate to anywhere between 6 and 10 gallons of final product depending on the type of still being used and what’s being produced.
For example, distilling high proof products such as whiskey can have lower yields and require multiple runs to achieve the desired amount of product. However, if producing a lower proof spirit such as fruit wine, a 10 gallon still can generally achieve the desired yield with just one run.
What temperature should you run a still?
The temperature at which a still should be run depends on the type of still being used. In general, pot stills should be run between 65°C and 80°C in order to prevent the over-distillation of delicate aromas that become more volatile and evaporate quickly at a higher temperature.
Reflux stills should be run slightly higher – between 80°C and 85°C – to maximise alcohol yield and provide a clean, pure product. Depending on the distiller’s desired result, a still can also be run slightly above 85°C.
This method, known as “stripping”, is used to quickly create a high-proof distillate. It’s important to be aware that this method will produce a harsher, more intense spirit with a short finish, so it is not typically recommended for creating premium spirits.
Ultimately, it’s best to consult the still’s specific operating instructions for an exact temperature recommendation.
How long does it take to run a 10 gallon still?
A 10 gallon still can take anywhere from 3-8 hours to run, depending on the amount of alcohol being distilled and the amount of heat applied. Generally, a 10 gallon batch take 5-7 hours to complete. If a higher degree of proof is desired, more heat will be necessary, which will increase the runtime.
In addition, a variety of other variables such as the starting alcohol content of the wash, the desired end alcohol content, the quality of the equipment, and the technique of the operator can also play a role in the length of time required to complete a distillation run.
Finally, for the highest proof spirits, multiple runs of the same wash may be necessary before the alcohol content is brought up to the desired level.
What do I need to make a still?
To make a still, you need a few things. First, you need a vessel to hold the liquid you want to distill. This can be something as simple as a pot or a bowl. Next, you need something to act as a condenser.
This can be a coil of copper tubing, a length of rubber tubing, or even a length of cloth. Finally, you need a heat source. This can be a stove, a campfire, or even the sun.
To assemble the still, you will need to attach the condenser to the vessel. This can be done by drilled a hole in the vessel and attaching the condenser with a clamp, or by soldering the two together.
Once the condenser is attached, you will need to fill the vessel with the liquid you want to distill. Be sure to leave enough room at the top of the vessel to allow the vapor to rise.
Now, it’s time to apply heat to the vessel. This can be done by placing the vessel on a stovetop, over a campfire, or in the sun. The key is to apply enough heat to cause the liquid to vaporize, but not so much that it boils.
This process can take some time, so be patient.
As the liquid in the vessel begins to vaporize, it will rise through the condenser and into the collection vessel. This collection vessel can be anything that can hold the distilled liquid, such as a bottle or a pot.
Be sure to monitor the level of liquid in the vessel, as you don’t want it to run dry.
Once the distillation is complete, you can remove the heat source and allow the still to cool. Once it is cool, you can remove the condenser and collection vessel, and your distilled liquid is ready to use.
What is the still to start with?
The still is the main piece of equipment used to create distilled alcohols such as whiskey, gin and vodka. Distillation is an old and popular process used to concentrate the alcohol present in a liquid.
The process works by boiling a liquid until the alcohol evaporates and then cooling the vapor so that it condenses back into a liquid. The still is made up of a large pot, often made of copper or stainless steel, with a reflux column and other components such as an arm, lyne, condenser and receiver.
The main purpose of the still is to heat the mash or fermented liquid and pass it through the reflux column, which helps to separate out the impurities and allow the alcohol to travel to the condenser.
The condenser will further cool the vapor so that it condenses into liquid form and then travel through the receiver and out of the still. The end product is the highly concentrated alcohol.
What is a still for making alcohol?
A still is an instrument used for distillation, which is the process of separating liquids from dissolved solids by boiling and condensing them. In the context of making alcohol, distilling is a process used to separate and concentrate ethanol from other components, such as water and other dissolved organic compounds, in a fermented mixture.
This separaration significantly increases the alcohol content of the mixture, resulting in a higher-proof alcohol product.
Still designs vary in complexity depending on the purpose, but the most common design used in making alcohol involves heating fermented liquid in a pot, then drawing the vapor through a tube to a condenser and collecting the concentrated liquid in a container.
To ensure that only the ethanol reaches the collector, the apparatus is equipped with a reflux column, which breaks up the steam and cools it, while also separating out heavier substances. The result is a higher-proof ethanol that can then be diluted depending on the desired proof of the final product.
Stills come in small scale units for home use, as well as large scale industrial versions and can be constructed with a variety of materials including copper, stainless steel, and even glass. Most have some way of regulating the temperature, and many are equipped with gauges, valves, and automated features to make distillation easier and more precise.
In short, a still is an apparatus used for distilling, which is a process for separating and concentrating ethanol from other compounds in a fermented mixture. It is an essential tool for anyone looking to make alcohol at home or on a larger scale.
At what proof do you stop distilling?
When distilling spirits, the proof at which you stop distilling depends on the type of spirit being produced. Generally speaking, most spirits are distilled to between 80-160 proof, while stronger or higher-proof spirits such as some brands of whiskey can reach up to 190 proof.
The proof at which you stop distilling also depends on the desired flavor and taste of the spirit, as well as other factors such as local laws and regulations. Generally, higher proof spirits are more concentrated and have a very intense flavor.
Therefore, the distiller should consider all of these factors when deciding how far to take the distillation process.
What is the first cut of moonshine called?
The first cut of moonshine is called the ‘low wine. ‘ This is the clear, distilled spirit that comes out of the still during the initial distillation. It typically contains about 20-30% alcohol by volume, depending on the recipe and the distiller’s technique.
Low wine usually has a strong, distinct odor and a raw, harsh taste that needs to be mellowed with the second distillation. The low wine can also be stored and aged, then blended with other ingredients to create special recipes.
What size moonshine still do I need?
The size of moonshine still you need will depend on your individual distilling needs, budget, and the amount of liquor being produced. The most common sizes for a still are 1-5 gallon, 5-10 gallon, 10-25 gallon, 25-50 gallon and 50-100 gallon.
The smaller 1-5 gallon and 5-10 gallon stills are good for making small batches of moonshine for personal or home use, while the larger stills are more suitable for distilleries or businesses that plan to produce larger amounts of liquor.
It’s important to consider how much space you have available when deciding what size still to purchase. An important note to keep in mind when using a smaller still is that you may need to make multiple runs before you get the desired proof since it will take longer for the vapors to run through the arm of the still.
Additionally, choosing a quality still is important since the purer the metal and the better the welds, the smoother the flavor of the finished product. Investing in the right still can prevent off flavors and reduced efficiency.
Ultimately the size still you choose will depend on your distilling needs and budget, but choosing a quality one is always a worthwhile investment.
How many pounds of sugar do I need to make 5 gallons of mash?
To make 5 gallons of mash, you will need approximately 22.5 pounds of sugar. It is best to use granulated sugar for this, but some people like to use turbinado, brown sugar, or agave. Generally, when making mash for alcoholic beverages, you want to start with about 4.
5 pounds of sugar per gallon of mash. So for 5 gallons of mash, you will need a total of 22.5 pounds of sugar. Keep in mind that you may need to adjust the amount of sugar depending on the type of mash you are making, as some recipes may require more or less sugar.
Additionally, the type of yeast you use can also affect the amount of sugar needed, as some yeasts are more efficient than others.
How much do moonshiners make per gallon?
The exact amount of money a moonshiner is able to make per gallon of their product depends on many factors. Generally, the higher the quality, the more money they will be able to make. For instance, if a moonshiner’s product is high-end, they may be able to make anywhere from $20 to $200 per gallon.
On the other hand, if the moonshiner produces lower quality, they may make anywhere from $10 to $50 per gallon, depending on the demand. Additionally, factors such as reach, popularity and local trends may also influence the amount of money the moonshiner is able to make per gallon.
Ultimately, the amount of money a moonshiner makes per gallon is highly variable; however, it is typically much more profitable than legally produced alcohol.
