How can I get my Alcohol percentage up

[kevin 82]

I used a proofing hydrometer and my alcohol is only 20 percent my wash was five pounds suger five pounds cracked corn five gallons spring water. My set up is five gallon pot still. This is after I put it through the still twice any suggestions on how to get my percentage up. On the plus side it tastes great it has been sitting in jares for aboutva month. I would like to make my next batch stronger.

[Dnderhead]

that should be 7% wash ,starting off still at 40%?
down to say 10%? so first run should be about 25%?
then spirits run 25% in starting at 70%? down to 20%?
should be about 45%...
so it sounds like your taking to much? running to fast?

[kevin 82]

I'm still green at this how fast is to fast should I keep the heat turned down a bit or crank the burner up to max to get the wash boiling?

[WERAT]

+1 on Dnderhead but, (no offense Dnderhead I'm also still a newb)

I personally wouldn't drink 20%ABV that come from my still. (making cuts)

Did you let your ferment finish? Did you get a SG and a FG? What was it?

Most people do not use a proof hydrometer on their wash, only a SG (specific gravity) meter. This way you know what the wash started at and what it finished at. This gives you the %ABV of your wash. Normally finishes at .998 when complete. You can see that on the main page.

The proofing hydrometer should be used on the product coming out of your still.
I have a small kitchen stove top still and i get around 50%-60% on my stripping run. I re-rerun this diluted down to 40% and get around 85%ABV when run low and slow. You should be around the same.


Give us some more details and we can help.

[bellybuster]

ya, more details on your wash, yeast, temp, time it took start to finish etc

[WERAT]

kevin 82,

Sounds like you should read some more on the parent site.

All is described in detail and should be read multiple times. Trust me, (im not a salesman) only a stiller trying to help. When you understand what you have read, read it again later because it will then make more sense.

READ,READ,READ, and READ again. After you have made a successful batch, READ again. You will start to understand what everyone is telling you.

Been there and done that. STILL learning.
WERAT