Step one of the process is the fermentation medium.  In distilling terms this is called a "wash".  Simply put, is sugar and nutrients for the yeasty-beasties that they can eat up and poop out alcohol.
I am starting with potatoes.  440 grams are chopped up and put into a measuring cup
The measuring cup is filled up to the 1 liter mark with tap water.  Total weight of potatoes and water is 981 grams. (541 grams of water)
Potatoes/water placed in pot and brought to a boil....heat is reduced to achieve a slow boil and potatoes are cooked for 30 minutes.
After boil, total volume reduced to 850ml.  Added 150mL tap water.
Let cool to about 155 C.  
Added 1/8 teaspoon of alpha amylase.  Amylase is the enzyme that converts starch to simple sugars.  Yeast can't eat starch, so you have to break it down for them.  A starch is just a chain with the individual links being simple sugars
Wait an hour:  Leave the pan on the burner to scavenge residual heat and slow cooling.
Measured the specific gravity..  1.024....  shit...best I can get out of this is a 4.5%....not enough for good distillation.....back to the drawing board


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