Alcohol Content of Distilled Wash

[juniperlover]

Hey guys, browsed the forums for a while but couldn't find anything about this. Without an alcometer, how exactly do I determine the ABV of my distilled wash? I used WPOSW and it turned out a 10% wash, then I distilled down two gallons of it in a pot still. It passes a flame test, but I'm wanting to know specifics. Any advice?

[Doogie]

Go get an alcoholmeter ...

[Beerbrewer]

From what I have read here you could try 'reading the bead' or burning it but I would have a very hard time, almost impossible for my level of knowledge, judging abv without one.

[Doogie]

Ya, do like Tim and Tickle do ...

[bellybuster]

By the calcs on the parent site a 10% wash "should" come of between 80 and 100 proof. You'll never know for sure though without an alcmeter

[Doogie]

without a hydrometer and an alcoholmeter, you cannot get an accurate reading at this point in your learning curve. I do notice bigger bubbles, longer lasting bubbles, etc, but cannot yet read them. Both are relatively cheap and essential to 1) understand what is going on, and 2) predicting what you have, will have and actually have at the end.

just make sure to keep them in their cases or safely tucked away - I broke a hydrometer by dropping a drill battery on it just as I was making a wash ... FFS ...

[MegaJohn]

I ordered the Alcoholmeter/Hydrometer "kit" from Brewhaus for about $15 + shipping. It included both meters and a test cylinder. It arrived in about 4-5 days.

The kit is pretty inexpensive and gives you the measurements you need.

Happy distilling and stay safe!
John.