Should I add some more sugar?

[proudmary]

Guys... and gals..

The other night I started my first wash ever... A batch of sugar wash, I followed Wineo's Plain 'Ol recipe except that I didn't have epsom salt. With that exception, I followed everything exactly.

I added the yeast at 91 degrees.

Measured the SG and it was 1.059, low but I attributed that to the temperature. Using the SG calulator on the main site it calculated it out to 1.064.

So two days later I check it again, temperature is 70 degrees. SG reading is 1.040.

I have am keeping it sealed with an airlock.. Frist day lots of bubbles, second it just slowed down a bit to a couple every 3 - 5 seconds...

Am I on track here or should I think about adding some more sugar?

What benefit does the epsom salt provide? How does it effect the sg?

Thanks for your help..

[Dnderhead]

you must have, about 1.5 Lb sugar to the gal. witch will give you 10% not bad, could add a bit more sugar, but it will just take longer to work off.
Epsom's salt adds magnesium , witch you mite already have in your water.
Id say just let it go the way it is.

[LWTCS]

Id say just let it go the way it is.

+1

Try not to worry so much about pushing your ferments to a high ABV. Especially if your pot stilling.

Stay at or below 14% IMO.

Less yeild but a cleaner likker with the lower ABV

[rad14701]

The one thing that might help most would be raising the temperature to 75F - 80F... A few degrees makes a big difference to yeast...

[Braz]

I agree with Rad. Mine really slows down when the temp drops to 70 or less. I stuck a light bulb under the fermenter to keep the temp in the mid 70's at night when we turn the thermostat down. I also think 95 is a little hot for pitching the yeast. I know Wino's initial recipe post says that but later in the thread it seems to be revised downward - like 80-85.

I thought my WPOSW was stuck too but it finished out OK, though not real high ABV. Here's my thread about it, which may give you some hints, or solace. http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=13843

Understand, I'm a rank amateur at this too so anything I say may be complete nonsense. But I'm trying.

Braz

[proudmary]

Thank you, I appreciate everyone's feedback. I try to maintain the temperature in that room by keeping the heater vent open and door closed. It's a small room 6'x8', I have a thermometer in there and reads anywhere from 72-76. If I add an additional heater, light bulb, etc.. how hot it too hot? What temperature do I want to stay below, 80?

Thanks again!

[Dnderhead]

put it to bed. it will warm up.