frustrated

[chill]

That is the right hydrometer, there is only the one kind. Can you get pH papers (try an aquarium store), the pH might be too low. It should be roughly in the 4-6 range. Much below that and the yeast can slow right down. You might also have more sugar that your yeast can tolerate, but it sounds like you used a Turbo preparation so that is seems unlikely. It could also be cooler than what that yeast likes. I have found that a 50W aquarium heater helps a lot, but it really depends on your local conditions.

Chuck

[edwatters]

It has been holding a temp around 25 continuous so yesterday I put an heat belt on it and raised it up to 27 then took it off. It seemed to increase the bubble and today I checked it again and it dropped another 20 in gravity. So I think I'm on the right course. I will get some phone strips tomorrow while I'm in town. I started the tpm yesterday but in all the excitement I forgot to test it with the hydrometer. However its bubbling away nicely:-)

[Capt-Cudellez]

I just leave the hydrometer in the mash for the duration, that way you can check it without any messing about with trial jars and the likes.

[edwatters]

Unfortunately I am using 6 gallon plastic fermenter buckets and there isn't enough room to leave it in. It hits the lid of the bucket. Good idea though.

[chill]

As I mentioned in the other thread, the high reading is likely false and due to the high percentage of unfermentalbes in molasses.

[YHB]

Unfortunately I am using 6 gallon plastic fermenter buckets and there isn't enough room to leave it in. It hits the lid of the bucket. Good idea though.

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Same as me, for most of the ferment the lid pushes the hydrometer down, but when the hydrometer does not touch the lid I know it's nearly done and it is time to take more notice of it.

[Almanac]

+1 YHB - Now that's what I call joined-up thinking

AM

[RumJohn]

You don't want a starting SG any higher than around 1.075 - 1.080. If it is, and this is with a temp below 30 and prior to pitching your yeast, then water it down. Any higher and you will have wasted sugar and it might even be too high for the yeast to take off.

Your sugar/water ratio seems fine, but your initial SG is way too high. The beer hydrometer you are using will not have the range you need. Get the right equipment. I buy hydrometers 2 at a time. They break at the wrong time and leave you guessing. Do you have hydrometers for measuring the alcohol you will be distilling. They are different and you will need them.

The amount of sugar you are using will be done when your SG gets to about 0.995 - 0.990. More important are your readings than the number of days it has taken to ferment - within reason.Number of days will vary on ambient temp, and a host of other factors. My rum takes 4-7 days and my cachaca 14.

To determine the percentage of alcohol produced you need your initial SG and the current SG with temp of both readings.

You will get over being frustrated.Keep at it. Cheers.

[KerryW]

I may have read the hydrometer wrong checked today it is at 1037 well on the way..