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January 7, 2016
Last updated

How to Make Vodka

Owner of Clawhammer Supply

Russian Potato Vodka - How to

We have not tried this particular "potato vodka" recipe. However, the process used for turning potatoes are turned into vodka is an interesting concept to think about. So, we pulled information some of the best sources online create the best possible tutorial on how to make vodka.

FYI: anyone can make a potato vodka mash. To the best of our knowledge, this is legal everywhere in the US. However, only individuals with a federal fuel alcohol or a distilled spirits plant permit (as well as state and local permits) can distill alcohol. Our distillation equipment is designed for legal uses only and the information in this article is for educational purposes only.

Potato Vodka Recipe

Potato Vodka Ingredients

5 Pounds 2 row malted barley
25 Pounds potatoes
7 gallons of water
2 packets of bread yeast (or yeast of choice)

Stats

OG = 1.065 (We would add sugar if needed to reach a desired gravity)
FG = 1.010 or below
ABV = 7.2%

Potato vodka Mash Procedure

This is the process we would follow if we were to make this recipe.

  1. Clean the potatoes with a produce brush.
  2. Cut the potatoes into small 1 inch cubes and cover them with two inches of water in a stock pot on the stove.
  3. Turn the heat to high and boil the potatoes for 15 minutes.
  4. Mash the potatoes with a potato masher or an electric immersion blender.
  5. Transfer the mashed potatoes and any liquid from the stock pot into a large mash pot. We would transferring the potato mash to a mash bag. We recommend using the mash in a bag method for this recipe. 
  6. Add water to reach 7 gallons total volume. While adding water keep an eye on the temperature of the mash. The temperature after adding the water should be around 140 degrees.
  7. Add 5 pounds of crushed malted barley to the mash bag while stirring well.
  8. Add heat if needed and hold the mash at 140 degrees for 20 minutes.
  9. Raise the temperature of the mash to 150 while stirring.
  10. Mash at 150 for one hour. Add heat to the mash while stirring as needed during the mash.
  11. Take a gravity reading with a refractometer or hydrometer.
  12. If the starting gravity is below 1.065 add sugar until 1.065 is reached
  13. Use a wort chiller to cool mash to 70-75 degrees.

Potato Vodka Fermentation Process

  1. Create a yeast starter. Let the yeast starter propagate for 15-20 minutes before adding it to the fermenter.
  2. Once the mash has been cooled transfer only the liquid to a sanitized carboy/bucket
  3. Add the yeast starter to the fermenter.
  4. Add airlock and ferment between 65-75 degrees for 2 weeks or until fermentation is complete.

    Remember, it is illegal to distill alcohol without the proper permits.

    Kyle Brown is the owner of Clawhammer Supply, a small scale distillation and brewing equipment company which he founded in 2009. His passion is teaching people about the many uses of distillation equipment as well as how to make beer at home. When he isn't brewing beer or writing about it, you can find him at his local gym or on the running trail.

    • Clawhammer, keep up the tutorial’s, everything I’ve tried
      Has worked. This is an excellent
      Source for brewing,distilling,and still use.
      Thanks Alot

      Posted by Mclamb on December 02, 2019
    • Just thought I’d pay it forward. I just sort OUT potatoes whole into the Ph adjusted mash water (6.0 OR LOWER). when DONE COOKING i USE A DRILL WITH A MUD MIXER ON IT. tHe MORE SUGAR YOU PUT IN THE MORE IT TASTES LIKE SUGAR. i HAVE USED AMYLASE AS WELL BUT THE BARLEY GIVES IT A SMOOTHNESS AND NUTTINESS THAT GIVES THE vodka DEPTH AND CHARACTER AND cLASS . i HAVE A POT STILL AND RUN IT SLOW (MORE flavor) OR FAST DEPENDING IF THERE IS A SPIRIT RUN IN YOUR FUTURE. aGING IT AT LEAST A MONTH MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE. mANY tHANKS TO THE FOLKS POSTING THE RECIPE!

      Posted by oLD bONES on October 09, 2019
    • 1. conversion of vodka from potato.
      2. cheapest vodka by which agro input.

      Regards,

      Posted by binod kumar singh on August 07, 2019
    • Made this fun recipe with 25lbs of sweet potatoes. Ran my still low and slow. My hearts were 130 proof, once cut to 80 it is some yummy vodka. It retained the nose of sweet potatoes and the subtle nuttiness of the potato. Will do this recipe again.

      Posted by Momamiya on August 05, 2019
    • Hi where would I get a still from please?

      Posted by Ann on August 23, 2018
    • How many gallons of wash does this recipie make ?
      .

      Posted by Glen on July 25, 2018
    • How many gallons of wash does this recipie make ?
      .

      Posted by Glen on July 25, 2018
    • I’M CONIDERING,USINGSUGARBEETSANDPOTATOSINTHISRECIPE
      LEAVEOUT THE BARLYAND DOUBLETHE SUGARBEETSTOPOTATORATIO

      Posted by bradleyjmcclure@icloud.com on July 20, 2018
    • How to make vodka ?
      I have alcohol make from potatoes,I just distilled only right and I am not use ingredient .

      Posted by Prak Ponlork on July 09, 2018
    • making my first batch today, hopefully it will be great, cut the recipe just a bit only had about 20 pounds of taters, using two row malted crushed barley, wish me luck

      Posted by Wendy on June 26, 2018
    • going to try the potato vodka recipe is there any secret

      Posted by D Momy on May 08, 2018
    • First time vodka,home run. Potatoes and sugar and yeast energizer and yeast with AE. My wife compares to high end store stuff.

      Posted by Don Sanford on April 01, 2018
    • I really learned a lot from your post.

      Posted by Ronald White on March 27, 2018
    • My first batch of vodka. After my 1st 24 hrs the airtrap was going crazy. 2nd day a little bit and now day 3 hardly any bubbles. How long do I wait till I can put it in my still? Just wondering if I should wait the 2 weeks like with whiskey. I don’t want it to go bad

      Posted by Kyle on December 18, 2017
    • I would add rice hulls to this recipe to aid in lautering.

      Posted by Gabe on November 05, 2017
    • Personally I would use six row malt to help convert the potato starch to sugar or add some enzyme. Then try different types of potatoes, red, Yukon gold, good ol russet and sweet potatoes this could be a fun winter project

      Posted by Mike on October 14, 2017
    • Oops, one beer to0 many! I meant that these are all good questions that others might like to know the answers too as well?
      thanks

      Posted by Anthony on March 14, 2017
    • Here is my comment, are you not providing the answers, these are all questions?

      Posted by Athony on March 14, 2017
    • How much volume does this recipe make?

      Posted by Haley on March 04, 2017
    • Wondering wanting to try vodka run with sweet potatoes. Anyone try this yet?

      Posted by Mike on December 29, 2016


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