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9/25/2012 -- I recently purchased a meter that detects the alcohol content or percentages. When it arrived there were no instructions on how to use it. If there are instructions could you please mail or e-mail them to me. The delivery was very prompt and I am anxious to use it. Thank you so very much,
Terry
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Simply fill up your test jar and float the alcoholometer in your spirits. The proof/% alcohol is read off the scale at the line where it floats.
Alcoholometers are intended to measure the alcohol levels in distilled spirits (vodka, gin, rum etc) that have not been sweetened after distillation (like liqeuers, Jaegermeister etc). They will . . .
9/19/2012 -- i own a bar and im curious if they are putting water in the alcohol bottles. Would this help determine that?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Absolutley when used properly. It reads out in % alcohol.
The exception to this rule is with "sweet" liquors. The sugar left in the solution messes up the reading.
It will be accurate for vodka, whiskeys, rum, gin etc.
It will be INaccurate for drinks like amaretto, jaegermeister, and similar stuff.
7/26/2012 -- What does the proof scale on the alcoholometer tell me?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: In distilled spirits, alcohol proof (in the United States) is defined as twice the percentage of alcohol by volume. Consequently, 100-proof whiskey contains 50% alcohol by volume; 86-proof whiskey contains 43% alcohol.
5/17/2010 -- what is your phone number?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We can be reached at (425) 355-8865
Our toll free order is (800) 850-2739
1/5/2010 -- What testing equipment should be used to measure the abv of an "infused" liqueur? Thank you and best regards.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Once it has been infused and/or sweetened it really can't be tested without a lot of expensive equipment.
The time to test it is before adding fruit or sugars. You can do it at that time with a simple alcoholometer and testing jar. Since no more alcohol is produced, it's simply a matter of calculating the volume of whatever you infused . . .
9/8/2009 -- how can i flavor moonshine after it has been distilled?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: We sell an entire line of essences for flavoring alcohol. These essences turn plain alcohol into whiskeys, rums, gin, brandy's etc etc. It works for commercial alcohol (legal) as well as moonshine (illegal in the U.S.). How you choose to use these essences is not our concern.
Here is a link to that category:
http://store.homebrewheaven.com . . .
1/26/2008 -- I live about an hour (if traffic is good) from the address on your website. Do you have an actual store or is everything here based solely online?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, we have an actual brick-and-mortar store in Everett, WA. People actually walk in and buy stuff!
Our address is:
Homebrew Heaven
9109 Evergreen Way
Everett, WA 98204
Here is a video of our shop:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1a5fKvv8XI
Heck, you can actually call us on the phone, too! It's 425-355-8865. A person will . . .
6/8/2007 -- what is the maximum %abv and proof your alcoholmeters register to?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The alcohol meters will register up to 100% abv or 200 proof
5/30/2007 -- How do you check the proof of the distilled finished product so that you know it is safe to drink?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The alcohol content (proof) of distilled spirits can be checked with an Alcoholometer.
Please note, however, that this is not the same as "safe to drink". Many things have ZERO alcohol and are perfectly safe, like water. Many things contain alcohol, but that doesn't mean they are safe.
1/24/2007 -- If I am distilling at a constant temp of say 174f getting ethanol after maintaining that temp and all or most of the ethanol is distilled off at thatpoint, do I increase the flame or temp for more distillate with flavor? and how high do I go? For research purposes only of course.By the way I bought your easy still. What a great product!!! . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Temperatures higher than that will allow more flavor to pass thru...but you say that most of the ethanol is distilled off at that point, so you will get (primarily) flavored water after that. Not sure what you mean or what your intended product is.
Also, the EasyStill does not have variable temperature, so I don't know how you would go . . .
1/2/2007 -- I was planning on buying the alcoholometer for my science fair. I will be testing corn and sugar beet mashes as they ferment to see which will have a higher alcohol content. Should I use an alcoholometer or a hydrometer?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: For testing during fermentation, you need to use a hydrometer. It will tell you the amount of alcohol that WILL be produced, by measuring the density of the fluid (influenced by the amount of sugar) prior to fermentation.
An alcoholometer is used for distilled spirits, to check the alcohol concentration after fermentation and distillation. . . .
10/16/2006 -- Does the alcoholometer tell you the % of alcohol and the tempreture? So does it have the thermometer in it?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It reads out in % alcohol and proof. No, it does not have a thermometer in it.
9/15/2006 -- my Alcoholometer came. One scale is white and the other is yellow. which one tells me what?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The yellow scale indicates proof. The white scale is % alcohol by volume.
9/1/2006 -- How can you send me this alcohololeter of 9.95 US dollars. I'm ready to send you this money. I'm a congolese, leaving in BUKAVU,DR Congo. I need it urgentlly;
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The shipping on this item would come to $26.20 to send it by USPS Air Parcel Post. That is for 4-10 day delivery.
We will need $36.15 total, and a credit card number, expiration date, complete shipping address and name in order to send it.
8/4/2006 -- is there instructions on the tester i purched
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Not really, but it is really quite easy to read. Simply float the alcoholometer in your spirits, and the proof is read off the scale at the line where it floats.
7/28/2006 -- Does your activated stone carbon need to be washed with water before using it to filter alcohol? If so, what is the procedure?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It is more effective if you do. A good way is to put it into a tube with something like a coffee filter on the end to hold the carbon. A rubber band will do to hold it in place. Start pouring a little water into the tube. It will bubble at first, and then be absorbed by the carbon. Keep doing this until water trickles out the end of the tube. . . .
6/7/2006 -- I will be attempting to make my first batch of "Apple Jack" in a few days. Since I'm freezing out the water, will I be able to use a alcoholometer to test the final product? Also, what should I expect the proof to be?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No, you will probably not be able to use an alcoholometer to test it due to the residual sugar. Alcoholometers are useful only on distilled spirits. A more useful tool would be a hydrometer, with readings taken before and after fermentation.
Proof very much depends on the starting and ending sugars (unknown to me) and how much water is . . .
4/2/2006 -- Will the alcoholmeter give a reading all the way to 200 proof alcohol? If not how high does it read. Thank You
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it reads that high. You will never reach it, however.
2/12/2006 -- Can homebrewed wines be distilled?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes; most certainly. That is how brandy is made.
The legality of doing so depends on where you are located and lots of other factors, however.
10/2/2005 -- WILL YOUR ALCOHOLOMETER WORK TO MEASURE ALCOHOL CONTENT OF MY ALREADY FINISHED HOMEMADE WINE? I DIDN'T HAVE A HYDROMETER WHEN I STARTED MAKING IT LAST YEAR AND NOW I'D LIKE TO KNOW THE ALCOHOL CONTENT. I DO HAVE A HYDROMETER NOW FOR MY NEXT BATCH.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No. It is for measuring distilled spirits.
A vinometer is what you can use now, provided it is not a sweet wine. Here is a link to that product:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/Product763
9/28/2004 -- On one of the Q&A's i read that if the alcohol content is extremely high the alcoholmeter can melt. Do you carry glass alcoholmeters?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Alcoholometers are made of glass, and will not melt. The PLASTIC test jars (that you float the hydrometers in) will dissolve if the alcohol level is too high (approximately 120 proof). We have glass test jars, if you expect to exceed that.
9/26/2004 -- can you make brandys or schnapps and are they legal?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It depends how you do it, where you live and how willing you are to do the paperwork...
Mixing flavoring essences into purchased (commercial) vodka is legal.
Making your own (for home use) by distillation is not legal in the U.S. In other countries, it is often legal.
Of course, brandys and schnapps can be made commerically in the . . .
5/5/2004 -- The Price Of Gasoline Just Keeps Going Up !
If I Became Good At Distilling And Ran A "Moderately" Efficient Distillation System:
How Many Hundred Pounds Of Corn Would I Have To Distill Each Week To Make 20 Gallons Of Fuel Quality Alcohol For My Automobile?
How Long Would It Take To Distill 20 Gallons Of 'Fuel Quality' Alcohol Using . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it does (the price, anyway)!
The use of alcohol as a fuel, and economics of doing so is best described in this website:
http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel_library/ethanol_manual/manual_ToC.html
4/13/2004 -- Two things I would like to run by you:
1)Thank you for replacing a broken alcoholmeter in such a short period of time - I really appreciate it.
2)It may sound silly but how do you use the alcoholmeter? Once you place the thicker end into the alcohol container, how long do you have to wait to get a reading? I was wondering if you had . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: 1) No problem. They are quite fragile, and they occasionally break in shipping.
2) To use, just float the alcoholometer in the distilled liquor and read the scale on the side of the alcoholometer. No waiting is required. Sorry, but we don't have an instruction sheet.
3/6/2004 -- I have "Compleat Distiller" on my shopping list for general purposes. Do you know if this book covers the use of potatoes (versus grains) as the base for the fermentation stage, or do I need to search for additional "informational" materials?
Thanks.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This book is an excellent resource for the distillation part of the process, but it is a little "lean" on the fermentation portion.
The Alaska Bootleggers Bible actually has better information on using potatoes, and even has a recipe for potato "wine".
2/28/2004 -- Is it illegal to produce ethanol for a use other than human consumption?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It depends on where you live, but in general, it is not illegal to produce ethanol for use as a fuel, for instance. A permit, however, may be required. The Feds even offer tax credits for producing alcohol as alternative fuel.
Here is a link to that permit:
http://www.homebrewheaven.com/permit.pdf
We are not lawyers of course, and you . . .
2/23/2004 -- Do you know of any websites or books that have instructions on making a still from scratch?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Most of the books we sell shown how to build a simple still.
Here is a like to the Distillation category:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&CategoryID=41
You can also try:
http://www.moonshine-still.com/
and
http://homedistiller.org/
1/20/2004 -- To determine the alcohol content of something will I need both the alcoholometer and the alcoholometer test jar? Or will just the alcoholometer work?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The alcoholometer needs to float in a sample of the fluid, so a test jar is pretty handy. If you have something else, that is at least say 12" deep, it should work. Bear in mind that if the alcohol content is very high, it can melt thru many plastics. You will need to "sight" the alcoholometer as it is floating as well, so something clear . . .
1/5/2004 -- I would like a book or information on how to ferment rice,potatoes,cracked corn.wheat,etc without the use of commercial sugar.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would recommend these three books:
"From Harvest to Moonshine"
"The Lore Of Still Building"
"The Alaskan Bootlegger's Bible"
All are available in our "Distillation" categoy.
1/1/2004 -- How long does it take to make a liquor with a still?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: It involves two separate operations:
1) Fermentation
2) Distillation
Step 1) depends very much on what is being fermented, temperature, nutrients, yeast and many other factors. A general timeframe may be say... 7-10 days. This is entirely legal in most countries/states.
Step 2) takes perhaps 4-8 hours
Please bear in mind, that . . .
12/3/2003 -- I can't drink alcohol. Is it possible to remove most of the alcohol of a liquor like Tequila and somehow maintain the flavor by evaporation or any other means? (So that N.A. Margaritas can be made)
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Not really, BUT...we have alcohol flavorings (essences) that are normally added to vodka to make them into rum, tequila, whiskey etc that should work just fine. They contain no alcohol themselves, and a very small amount can be added to make N.A. drinks.
These are found in our Distillation categoy. Here is a link:
http://www.nexternal.com . . .
11/16/2003 -- Is it possible to turn an old beer keg into a good still? What type of still would be better(pot or reflux)? And also how would I control the temperature of the mixture? For research purposes only, of course.........
Response From Homebrew Heaven: Yes, it is possible, along with a number of components.
Stills are not complex. Temperature is controlled in many ways, depending on how YOU design it. There are electric immersion types, external hotplates, propane fired, solar etc etc etc.
Reflux stills and pot stills are just different design types. Reflux designs are inherently . . .
11/9/2003 -- So after someone builds a still what would be a good book to really get in to learning about distillation, recipes, tips, etc.?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: The best book I know of is the "Compleat Distiller".
Here is a link:
http://www.nexternal.com/hombre/?Target=products.asp&ProductID=34
10/6/2003 -- What could I do to maximize the alcohol content of my product? ie. Ph levels, ideal temp, etc.?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: This yeast is quite temperature tolerant (15 deg C to 35 deg C), but starting at 35oC will help. Maintaining 25-35 deg C. will help to increase alcohol content. pH should be in the range of 3.0 to 3.5
15 deg C =59 deg F
25 deg C =77 deg F
35 deg C =95 deg F
Keep in mind that more volatiles are produced at higher temperatures. Volatiles . . .
10/5/2003 -- I have a triple scale hydrometer and I've read the instuctions but I'm still not sure how to read it.My must reads
1.100,it needs to be racked at 1.040.
My question is is that # toward the top of the scale or the bottom?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: As you are looking at the hydrometer, it is on the specific gravity scale (SG), near the top. 1.100 will appear lower on the scale than 1.040 (your hydrometer will not float as high with a reading of 1.040, compared to when it read 1.100).
Please note that the product you asking about is a triple scale hydrometer, NOT and alcoholometer. . . .
9/20/2003 -- i have done some research i have found that in 1984 was a bill signed that made it legal to make 100gal per year for legal age person that resides at that address for personal use and not for sale. please tell me if something has changed.
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I assume the law you are referring to (actually in 1978 by the Feds, altho some states took longer) legalized beer and wine making only, not distillation. Beer and winemaking involves production of alcohol through the normal, natural processes of yeast fermentation; and that is typically the legal distinction.
The deliberate CONCENTRATION . . .
9/15/2003 -- Is it illegal to make moonshine for personal use in the U.S?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: If by moonshine, you mean distilled alcohol that is produced at home for consumption as a beverage without paying taxes, YES!
We do not encourage, and will not be responsible, for the illegal use of equipment purchased from Homebrew Heaven. If you intend to do that, we don't want to know.
In many other countries, it is legal (New Zealand . . .
9/12/2003 -- I need to know everything there is to on how to build my own still I need at least a 5 gallon dimension please!!!
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I would recommend the books "Lore of Still Building" and "The Compleat Distiller" and "Moonshine Made Simple and Still Makers Manual" for full information on this.
9/10/2003 -- new zealand has become propaganderised as a non-drinkers heaven. tax is raised by the communist govt. on real beer(4.5%+)and on spirits! The 'average class' new zealander prime minister asked live on tv why beer drinkers do not drink lite beer. The country shook to its' core when about 400,000 real men and 200,000 sheilas started stomping . . .
Response From Homebrew Heaven: I sympathize with you. Please understand that we don't have it so good either. At leastin NZ it's not illegal to distill at home. I'm of the opinion that anything I choose to do at home is MY damn business. Land of the free? I think not. By the way, in this state, blood alcohol limit was .10; now it is 0.08 and I'll bet in a year or two, we'll . . .
8/31/2003 -- What temp is this hydrometer calibrated at. Can you supply me with a temp conversion table?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: They are calibrated at 60 deg F (15.5 deg C). A temperature correction table can be found at:
www.cst.nist.gov/div836/836.01/PDFs/1924/
circular19.pdf
6/17/2003 -- What percentage of alcohol does this read up to?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: All the way up to 100%
6/14/2003 -- Is it legal for an individual in the US to distill spirits for individual consumption?
Response From Homebrew Heaven: No. It is not.
In some other countries, like New Zealand, Sweden and others, it is.
There are at least two reasons advanced for this:
1) Taxation. No incentive for the government to make it legal.
2) Liqour industry. A highly profitable industry would take a hit. The feds support their industry, and the industry supports the feds. . . .
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