How to use an alcohol hydrometer is crucial when testing distilled spirits. There are 2 different types of hydrometers to use when making moonshine and brewing. The first hydrometer is the specific gravity and the second is the alcohol hydrometer.
The specific gravity/triple scale hydrometer provides 3 choices of readings in one hydrometer. The reading we focus on when we use this hydrometer is the Specific Gravity (SG).
- Specific Gravity: (0.99-1.16)
- Potential Alcohol: (0%-20%)
- Brix/Balling: (0-35)
The second hydrometer is the alcohol or proofing hydrometer and is used for measuring the alcohol ABV or proof of the distilled product. The alcohol hydrometer measures the alcohol up to 100% ABV or zero to 200 proof.
This alcohol hydrometer can be used to make your cuts when proofing down. Also, it can be used during the distilling process in order to know when to stop collecting.
Some distillers have a parrot in their still to continually read the alcohol level without putting a test sample in the test jar and without disturbing the product. This is a great option for the distiller.
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How Hydrometers are Used
Specific hydrometers and the alcohol hydrometer are crucial and each one is different in its own right. The specific hydrometer cannot read a finished spirit and an alcohol hydrometer cannot read the potential alcohol in a mash. One hydrometer cannot do the job of the other.
Beer brewers and winemakers use hydrometers too! Hydrometers are a tool that is valuable to all distillers of alcohol.
What is the Best Hydrometer Collection Tube?
We have found by trial and error that the best collection tube and or vessel to hold the test sample is glass. The plastic test jar with writing on the side, tends to wear off over time with repeat washing. Plastic is not crystal clear, making it harder to read the hydrometer. The plastic test jar cannot be easily sanitized with hot water and bleach.
The glass hydrometer collection tube is ideal for everything. It is easy to read, sanitize, and there aren’t any readings on the side to interfere with hydrometer readings.
How to Use an Alcohol Hydrometer
Taking a reading with an alcohol hydrometer is very important to know the proof or the alcohol content in the final product. Make sure you have enough liquid in the test collection jar at least three-quarter of the way full.
Never drop or plunge the hydrometer in the test collection tube, especially in the glass test jar or most likely you can break the hydrometer and the glass tube.
Gently place the hydrometer in the jar and gently give it a spin. By spinning the hydrometer, you are ensuring it does not stick to the side of the jar and it is releasing any bubbles that may interfere with a true reading.
For either hydrometer, make sure to document your readings on a grain bill or other chart that you use to keep your notes in. This will be vital for future replication if you absolutely love the final product and wish to make the same again. Or fail, and not want to repeat that one again!
No worries, we’ve done all the work for you! We appreciate you, so we want to give you our FREE Printable Grain Bill Sheet(Printable Batch Record Sheet), to make your moonshine experience a little bit more organized and easier to keep track of!
What Does a Zero Reading on a Hydrometer Mean?
When you use a specific gravity hydrometer and the reading is at the zero PA that is a good thing! But, if you let the mash ferment another day and the reading is 0.990, this means that you are ready to make a run with a still. A reading of 0.990 means that there is no more sugar left because the yeast fermented the sugars into alcohol. Write down the estimated percentage of alcohol from your mash reading.
Steps to Use an Alcohol Hydrometer
You may add the test sample in the test tube then add the hydrometer if you prefer.
- Add enough distilled product to the test jar to
- Gently place the alcohol hydrometer in the test jar
- Gently spin the hydrometer
- Take a reading eye level where the liquid reads on the Proofing scale
- Write down the proof in your notes\
- The other side of the alcohol hydrometer is labeled trailings, it reads ABV
If your distilled product is 180 proof alcohol you would add equal amounts of water and alcohol to end up with a 90 proof product suitable for drinking. Always take another reading to ensure that it is the 90 proof that you were looking to get.
Watch the Alcohol Hydrometer Video Tutorial
FAQ’s
What is wort?
Wort is the extracted liquid from the mash made from the mashing process. The wort contains the sugars which are needed with yeast to produce alcohol, whiskey, or moonshine. Using a specific gravity hydrometer can measure the potential alcohol (PA) level.
What is the difference between a wash and a mash?
A wash is the liquid made after fermentation is completed. The wash goes into the still for distilling. A sugar wash is filtered water, sugar, yeast, and some type of nutrients such as raisins for the yeast to feed on or another type of yeast nutrient. A mash is made with filtered water, sugar, yeast, enzymes, and a grain such as cracked corn.
How to break down starch into sugars for moonshine?
Add an enzyme such as Amylase, malted barley, or grain in your mashing process.
Hydrometer Reads Zero When Sugar is Added to Moonshine
If you are going to make a flavored moonshine recipe after the moonshine is distilled you won’t be able to use a hydrometer once sugar is introduced in the moonshine.
For example, if the recipe is an apple pie moonshine using an apple concentrate, once you add the surgery concentrate you will no longer be able to get a reading.
This is true for any type of additive that contains sugar or honey that you would be adding to the finished product to make a flavored beverage.
Results of Adding Sugar to Moonshine
For example, if you have a 90 proof finished product and you want to make a quart of apple pie moonshine. Add ½ a quart of 90 proof and half a quart of the apple concentrate mix. This method will yield a 45 proof finished product even though you will not be able to validate a reading. This is why you should be cautious buying from inexperienced moonshiners! You have no way of measuring the proof or ABV with a hydrometer.
If you were to put your alcohol hydrometer in this apple pie moonshine once it’s mixed, the hydrometer would float to the top giving you a zero reading.
Links for Permits and Info for Moonshine
Start by checking out the website TTBGOV for any legal questions you may have or need to be answered. They have many links for permits and licenses that you may consider applying for.
Ways to Use Moonshine
Would you like other ways to use moonshine? Our parent blog and channel have the how-to, recipes, and more. Check out How to Make Moonshine Vanilla Bean Extract, it is amazing!
Have you ever had moonshine horseradish? Check out the blog and video, Amazing Horseradish Mustard Recipe, you will be astonished how easy it is to make!
I love making non-toxic cleaners with moonshine! Yes, it’s so easy. Check out Non-Toxic Cleaners on the blog.
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Wow! These are really cool to learn about! I love learning about all the tools for moonshining! My knowledge of this process is progressing every day as you guys are posting new content! Thank you so much for that!