Moonshine Gravity Calculator
Take the guesswork out of making moonshine with our gravity calculator.
Is there anything more enticing than the option to make your own high-proof alcohol in the comforts of home?
Of course, yielding this type of strong spirit doesn’t just happen by accident. You need to learn the proper steps and procedures in order to actually achieve this.
However, you are not alone in this endeavor. At How to Moonshine, we believe in supporting you every step of the way. We offer quality craft stills, easy-to-understand manuals, how-to guides, and step-by-step recipes.
What is a Gravity Calculator?
A gravity calculator is used to determine the alcohol by volume. This is an important tool to start taking your moonshine-making skills to the next level.
Your alcohol by volume refers to the amount of alcohol in your shine and can be easily converted into the ‘proof’ of your shine.
This is an important step to take as much of the popularity of moonshine comes from its strength. Checking to make sure you are going to get a strong output is a great relief. Using a gravity calculator is a great way to get this information easily.
To use a gravity calculator, you simply input your original reading before fermentation. If this sounds like we are speaking a different language-fear not- we will break it down nice and simple.
What is a Hydrometer?
A hydrometer is a scientific measuring tool that will help you to determine the potential ABV of your mash. It can also be used to verify whether fermentation is complete.
How to Use a Hydrometer
A Hydrometer is used to determine the density or specific gravity (SG) of a liquid in comparison to water. This works because alcohol is thinner than water so the higher the volume of alcohol, the lower the float will sink.
Alcohol has a starting gravity (SG) of 1.000 on the hydrometer scale. Temperature will also play a role in the hydrometer reading.It is important to ensure your hydrometer is calibrated to a standard reading temperature is 70°F or 20°C.
However, your hydrometer should also include a conversion chart if your mash is reading at a different temperature than what your hydrometer is calibrated to.
Determining Your Orginal Gravity
Determing your original gravity is a simple process although it may sound complicated.
- Add your liquid mash into the hydrometer until it is ⅔ of the way full
- Insert the hydrometer slowly
- Remove air bubbles by slowly rolling the hydrometer in your hands
- Check where the surface of the liquid hits on the hydrometer and get your reading.
HOW TO DETERMINE YOUR ABV DETERMINING YOUR ORIGINAL GRAVITY
Original Gravity – Potential Alcohol
- 062 → 7.875%
- 064 → 8.125%
- 066 → 8.375%
- 068 → 8.625
- 070 → 8.875%
- 072 → 9.125%
- 074 → 9.375%
- 076 → 9.75%
- 078 → 10%
- 080 → 10.25%
- 082 → 10.5%
- 084 → 10.75%
- 086 → 11%
- 088 → 11.25%
- 090 → 11.5%
- 092 → 11.75%
- 094 → 12.125%
- 096 → 12.375%
- 098 → 12.75%
- 100 → 13%
- 102 → 13.25%
- 104 → 13.5%
- 106 → 13.875%
- 108 → 14.125%
How to Get Started Making Moonshine
When you first start making moonshine, you are often preoccupied with getting the basic skills down. After all, making moonshine requires most of us to brush up on the skills we learned in high school science-a skill many of us haven’t used for years.
Like the experiments we learned in science class, making moonshine requirements close attention paid to the many different variables such as time, temperature, and pH level.
With so many different parts at play, it is important to get some help to avoid wasting your time and ingredients. After all, making moonshine is not a one-day project. It usually requires at least a week.
What Tools Do I Need to Make Moonshine?
Making moonshine requires many different elements. The first, of course, is knowledge. Making moonshine is not the same as following a simple recipe in the kitchen. Although the first step called making a mash or making a wash, often happens in the kitchen, it is more complicated than following the average recipe.
Check out: How to Make a Moonshine Mash
One of the best things you can do before making your first mash is to really take the time to learn the steps and the safety precautions necessary.
Check out Is it Safe to Make Moonshine?
With this in mind, the first tool you need to make moonshine is knowledge. We strongly suggest getting a copy of our FREE Ebook ‘How to Make Moonshine’. This handy guide is designed for those who are brand new to moonshining or simply want to take their skills to the next level.
In this ebook, we go step by step on exactly how to make your first mash, ferment, and do your first run.
Get your FREE Ebook by clicking the link below.
The Right Equipment for Making Moonshine
Making moonshine is a serious hobby that requires the proper equipment. As you are ingesting your final product, it is important to get equipment made out of food-grade materials.
It is also arguably equally important to get equipment that is easy to operate. After all, if you are unsure how to use your still because of a complicated design, it is more likely that you will not operate it properly, which could be potentially dangerous.
Instead, we suggest getting a quality craft still with a thorough manual and easy to understand instructions. At How to Moonshine, we pride ourselves on our quality moonshine stills kits that are both functional and affordable.
Just check out our Copperhead All-in-One Still. This moonshine kit comes with everything you need to both ferment and distill your moonshine. This not only saves you money, but it is also much less to store. It’s a win-win.
Check out Our Complete Distillety Guide