Stupid newbie looking for a spoon

[Duffbrew]

Alright I maybe overthinking things here but...... I'm thinking that the corn I need to make a proper mash needs to free of all the additives and preserves. I have a bunch of feed stores around me but the more I look the more messed up my head gets, (and my head is messed up enough). I'm trying to find a corn feed and sweet feed from TSC and others, but everything seems to have all types of crap in it. Extra grains, vitamins, and stuff that a cow/chicken/horse would like or need.

Can anyone tell me or guide me to the right product? The correct brand or style of corn? Slap my upside the head and tell me not to overthink things? Kick me in the butt and show me how wrong I am?

[bcook608]

If farm animals can eat it, 99% of the time you can make liquor from it.

Producers Pride is what I've been using for my 40 gallon batches of UJSSM and I LOVE the flavors I'm getting. It has some extra chaff and such in it, but I just use a mesh scoop to remove the floaty bits from the top of my fermenter once I've given it a good stir with the drill.

There isn't much point in spending the extra money on the "cleaner" corn when you could use that money for specialty grains and other ingredients/equipment.

When in doubt, just remember. Hillbillys have been doing this shit in the woods with creek water and whatever crap they could get their hands on to ferment for GENERATIONS. Don't complicate things like what type of corn you're using unless you're going off a recipe that calls for very specific ingredients.

[subbrew]

If you are in farm country you could check out a local elevator. They may have bagged corn. Or they will load the back of your pickup. Also do a search for feed and grain stores. They are usually cheaper than TSC and should have less processed grain. If you are in a larger city you will have better luck in a smaller town. Follow the rail road track as elevators are usually next to them.

[Corn Cracker]

I use cracked corn from a feed store, there is definitely a difference in quality between brands. I have the tractor supplies near me but don't use them, ma and pa feed stores are more reliable for quality

[Ben]

If you are looking for corn at TSC its producers Pride cracked corn.

They call sweet feed sweet COB (corn oats barley)

[Jstroke]

Any of the big box hardware stores like HD, Lowe’s, Menards etc. should have cracked or whole corn in the bird food aisle. No additives. I’ve priced it, my local mill and retail is roughly a dollar a bag different. Depending on distance, might be an option for you.

[8Ball]

If you are in farm country you could check out a local elevator. They may have bagged corn. Or they will load the back of your pickup. Also do a search for feed and grain stores. They are usually cheaper than TSC and should have less processed grain. If you are in a larger city you will have better luck in a smaller town. Follow the rail road track as elevators are usually next to them.

+1
They also carry whole barley & wheat that you can malt, kiln & smoke.

[Salt Must Flow]

My local elevator can provide cracked corn, but they cannot 'crack' wheat and barley with the same kind of 'crack' that brewers & distillers can for themselves using their grain own grain mills. My local elevator can 'grind' it, but then it comes out almost like flour. That kind of grind will work great, but may not be as easy to separate from the beer.

[shadylane]

Producers Pride is what I've been using for my 40 gallon batches of UJSSM and I LOVE the flavors I'm getting. It has some extra chaff and such in it, but I just use a mesh scoop to remove the floaty bits from the top of my fermenter once I've given it a good stir with the drill.

I've used that for bourbon.
If I remember correctly, it has a small amount of Propionic acid for a preservative.
The yeast doesn't seem to mind in the least.

[MiddleOfTheWorld]

Well I'm not sure in the US (or where you are from), but I got a market and there is usually a small section with a lady or two that has ALL the grains.
However like mentioned before it cheaper to go to the farm store even for me, I can get a Half quintal that's roughtly 50ish LB of broken/cracked dry ,mature maize; For something quite worth the monety.

[Duffbrew]

Producers Pride is what I've been using for my 40 gallon batches of UJSSM and I LOVE the flavors I'm getting. It has some extra chaff and such in it, but I just use a mesh scoop to remove the floaty bits from the top of my fermenter once I've given it a good stir with the drill.

I've used that for bourbon.
If I remember correctly, it has a small amount of Propionic acid for a preservative.
The yeast doesn't seem to mind in the least.

Shady, Thanks for that info. I know I overthink stuff but if you don't have issues with the Propionic acid then I should be good also. Yeast can be touchy some times and I wasn't sure.

[Duffbrew]

If you are looking for corn at TSC its producers Pride cracked corn.
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They call sweet feed sweet COB (corn oats barley)
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Ben, Thanks that's just what I was looking for to do with my 1st few batches. If they work out, I'll have a toast to you and talk nice about you for the next 3 days.

[Duffbrew]

If you are in farm country you could check out a local elevator. They may have bagged corn. Or they will load the back of your pickup. Also do a search for feed and grain stores. They are usually cheaper than TSC and should have less processed grain. If you are in a larger city you will have better luck in a smaller town. Follow the rail road track as elevators are usually next to them.

Subbrew, I live in southern NH and haven't seen any grain elevators. I do have a bunch of cow farms around and they grow feed corn for the cows. I'll check them.

[still_thinkin]

Its all gonna ferment and at the end of the day all them additives will just stay in the pot… best advice is just play with it and keep it simple.

[WhiskeyRebellion]

With cracked corn the TSC producers pride works great, I made a couple of gallons of corn liquor with it. However if you are looking at sweet feed be careful, don't grab anything with pellets. The cracked corn is just that, the sweet feed has pellets.

[Ben]

With cracked corn the TSC producers pride works great, I made a couple of gallons of corn liquor with it. However if you are looking at sweet feed be careful, don't grab anything with pellets. The cracked corn is just that, the sweet feed has pellets.

There are a couple varieties of the sweet feed at TSC, some of it is pelletized. If memory serves me their 12% "sweet feed" and 12% all stock is pelletized, but sweet COB is not. The picture on the bag is dead giveaway.

[Duffbrew]

Thanks guys, I grabbed 1 bag of each but haven't opened them yet. So if the sweet is pellets can I grind it and use it, or did I just buy 50 lb of bird/ squirrel feed?

[greggn]

So if the sweet is pellets can I grind it and use it, or did I just buy 50 lb of bird/ squirrel feed?

I've not seen a single post that reported a good flavored product from a pelleted feed.

[cob]

Thanks guys, I grabbed 1 bag of each but haven't opened them yet. So if the sweet is pellets can I grind it and use it, or did I just buy 50 lb of bird/ squirrel feed?

read the label well the pellets are likley alfalfa. take it back and get cob w/molasses.

put alfalfa in the search bar and read this thread. viewtopic.php?f=14&t=14586

Unless you want your whiskey to taste like grass!

[Duffbrew]

Thanks Cob,

I don't think it's pellets but if it is I'll trade it to a buddy who has pigs, I'll get rid of it and gain goodies for the grill.

[Shadowride69]

Unless you want your whiskey to taste like grass!
[/quote]

I agree I did this once its horrible....

[shadylane]

Thanks guys, I grabbed 1 bag of each but haven't opened them yet. So if the sweet is pellets can I grind it and use it, or did I just buy 50 lb of bird/ squirrel feed?

Pellets in a mash isn't good for distilling whiskey.
The flavor that carried over reminded me of floor sweepings. Mouse turds included.
I have seen 100% pellets used for nutrients in a sugar wash, that was reflux distilled with good results.

[squigglefunk]

my goats love the pellets, and they make their own pellets, it's a never ending cycle

[subbrew]

my goats love the pellets, and they make their own pellets, it's a never ending cycle

I have heard there is a recipe for road apple liquor. You have the makings for you own variant

[squigglefunk]

I heard it tastes a little shitty tho, not much apple flavor