- #1
Superposed_Cat
- 388
- 5
Hi, I've recently made some very budget homemade 'beer', butt I'm wondering is there an easy (doesn't have to be accurate) way to determining ethanol and methanol content. any help appreciated.
AlephZero said:If you are distilling fermentation products, methanol is a much more serious issue - but that is probably an illegal activity, so not a topic for discussion on PF.
Bystander said:Freezing point depression.
Superposed_Cat said:im only using water yeast (added vitamin c)and sugar.
Bystander said:OP wants an "easy" method: evaporate the filtered product to determine dissolved solids; do a freezing point depression to determine total concentration of dissolved materials
Superposed_Cat said:... easy (doesn't have to be accurate) ... determining ethanol and methanol content
To determine the ethanol and methanol content in homemade alcohol, a process called gas chromatography is typically used. This involves vaporizing a sample of the alcohol and separating its components based on their different boiling points. The separated compounds are then measured and their concentrations are calculated.
No, it is not safe to drink homemade alcohol with unknown ethanol and methanol levels. Both ethanol and methanol are toxic when consumed in large amounts, and without knowing their concentrations, it is difficult to determine if the alcohol is safe to consume. It is important to properly test and measure the levels of these compounds before consuming homemade alcohol.
High levels of methanol in alcohol can be extremely dangerous and potentially fatal. Methanol is metabolized by the body into formaldehyde and formic acid, which can cause blindness, organ failure, and even death. Therefore, it is crucial to accurately determine the methanol content in homemade alcohol before consuming it.
Several factors can affect the accuracy of determining ethanol and methanol content in homemade alcohol. These include the type of still used to produce the alcohol, the quality of the ingredients used, and the accuracy and precision of the testing equipment. It is important to use proper distilling techniques and high-quality ingredients to ensure accurate results.
Yes, there are other methods for determining ethanol and methanol content in homemade alcohol, such as using a hydrometer or an alcohol testing kit. However, these methods may not be as accurate as gas chromatography and may not be able to detect low levels of methanol. It is best to consult with a professional chemist or use gas chromatography for reliable results.