The corn in the UJSSM

[W.S.C.beachman]

I got a mash that seems to be getting slower and slower after every time I do another run.
I am on the 4th mash with the same corn added a bit hear and there but 90% original corn. Should I take out half the corn and put in new. I was under the impression that the corn would last for substantially more mashes. My PH is in the upper 4's lower 5's, I put in 1/2 tsp. epsom and a third of my multi. vit...16 cups sugar 1 gallon backset to 3 gallon clean water. I used EC-118 originally and drained 90% of the mash for my last run so I thought maybe I got rid of all my little buddys and I put in 1 tsp. of active backers yeast.

Some thing just isnt right its not taking off like it did before!!

[rad14701]

Sounds like you've milked the corn dry of nutrients... Remember, the higher the target %ABV, based on the sugar used, the quicker you'll deplete the corn and it sounds like you're shooting pretty high...

[W.S.C.beachman]

Thats one thing I dont really understand...It seems like the more sugar you use per gallon of water the higher the Gravity=higher alch. right, but my Gravity does not seem to raise. I am hitting a consistant 9-9.5% alch..I would like a much higher % but Ive read that when making flavord spirits you want lower alch. for the mash????? For better flavor right.

[rad14701]

If you want a higher %ABV you can get it by adding more sugar but you also need more nutrients and corn alone may not provide them once you go higher than 8% - 10%... Once you deplete the available B vitamins and nitrogen from the corn you'll need to supplement those...

You might want to entertain the idea of trying a different source/brand of corn...

Also, give the UJSSM topic a re-read to make sure you aren't missing something that might help...

[W.S.C.beachman]

Yah I will, I replaced the corn and it's still a bit slow, you know on the first run sweet run it was slow as well. So it should pick up with in 24 hrs, my guess...If I had boiled the corn for like 20 min. do you think it could improve ferment times?

[W.S.C.beachman]

Cool,
The Yeast have been happy campers for the last two days. The corn change seems to have helped. I got me a 5 gal. carboy ready for its first ferment. For the time being(2-3 weeks) it'll be the colecting jar for my low wines of UJSSM for the spirit run. Patience....patience...