Author: moonshiner

While the Brix, Balling, Plato, Oechsle, and Baumé scales are all used to measure the sugar content in liquids, and a certain points on the scale can seem like they’re almost identical, they are not exactly the same and use different formulas or methodologies to measure sugar content or density. While these scales are related…

What is an Alcohol Meter (Alcoholometer) or Proof Hydrometer? An alcoholometer or proof hydrometer is a specialized instrument used to measure the alcohol content in spirits, liquors, and other distilled beverages. It measures the volume of alcohol in a liquid mixture compared to the total volume. Any unfermented sugars in the solution will render the…

The triple-scale hydrometer is an essential tool for moonshiners. It is used to measure specific gravity, potential alcohol content, and sugar content in liquids. Here’s a detailed guide on how to use your triple-scale hydrometer: What is a Triple-Scale Hydrometer? A triple-scale hydrometer is a glass instrument used to measure the density of a liquid…

Hydrometers and alcoholometers are both measuring instruments, but they have different purposes and are used to measure different properties of liquids. Hydrometer: Alcoholometer (Alcohol Meter or Proof Hydrometer): Main Differences: While both instruments use similar principles of buoyancy to measure liquid density, their designs, scales, and applications are tailored to their specific purposes, making them…

Understanding Stuck Fermentations: A stuck fermentation refers to a situation where the fermentation process unexpectedly slows down or stops before the yeast has completely converted the sugars into alcohol. This can lead to a mash/wash with higher residual sugar content, lower alcohol content, or off-flavors. Stuck fermentations can occur due to various reasons and addressing…