To make a 30-gallon mash, you'll need to determine the amount of corn based on the desired starting gravity (SG) of your mash. The starting gravity refers to the concentration of sugars in the mash, which will ultimately determine the alcohol content of the final product.
Typically, a starting gravity of around 1.070 to 1.090 is suitable for most whiskey or moonshine recipes. To achieve this SG in a 30-gallon mash, you'll need to calculate the amount of corn required.
Corn is the primary ingredient in most whiskey or moonshine recipes, as it provides the necessary starches that convert into fermentable sugars during the mashing process. A common ratio for corn in a mash is around 1.5 to 2 pounds per gallon.
Considering the lower end of this range, let's use 1.5 pounds of corn per gallon. For a 30-gallon mash, you would need approximately 45 pounds of corn (30 gallons x 1.5 pounds/gallon).
However, it's essential to note that corn alone may not provide enough enzymes to convert the starches into fermentable sugars. To enhance the enzymatic activity and ensure a proper conversion, it's common to add malted barley to the mash.
Malted barley contains enzymes, like amylase, that break down the starches in corn into fermentable sugars. A ratio of around 10-20% malted barley to the total grain bill is often recommended. Let's use 15% for our calculation.
For a 30-gallon mash, with 45 pounds of corn, you would need approximately 6.75 pounds of malted barley (45 pounds x 0.15).
It's also worth mentioning that some recipes may call for additional ingredients like sugar or yeast nutrient. While sugar can increase the potential alcohol content, it's not necessary for a successful fermentation. Therefore, it's up to personal preference whether to include sugar in your recipe.
For a 30-gallon mash, a good recipe would include approximately 45 pounds of cracked corn and 6.75 pounds of malted barley. You may choose to omit the sugar if you prefer a lower potential alcohol content. Remember, these quantities can be adjusted based on personal preferences and the desired starting gravity of your mash.