"Added 1 1/2 large generic boxes of corn flakes when I started my last sugar wash. Just crushed it up in the bottom of the fermenter & dumped the hot sugar solution on top.

1. Ferment smelled like bread dough - A much more pleasant smell than just the sugar wash.

2. Final run raw had a bit of corn taste & not such a sweet aftertaste.

3. Diluted to 40%, a hint of corn & not near the sweet taste. A carbon polish should make a fine neutral, but we don't drink this straight anyway.

4. I will be using corn flakes in all my sugar washes from now on. I'll experiment with various amount to see if 2 boxes or only a single box makes much difference."

Not unless you are starting with that much. You need to add sugar until your SG is about 1.080. Much above that & the yeast will have a hard time living. I start with 10 lbs & then adjust up. After the SG works it's way back down to 1.020 I add sugar to bring the SG back to 1.080 & let that work off. It's the second sugar that gets the total % up close to 20%. If you stop after the initial run you'll be about 10 - 12%. I also pitch some more yeast when I add the 2nd sugar round. The downside to the corn flakes is it interferes with the hydrometer, you have to filter the solution to get the solids out. My start is probably about 12lbs sugar with another 8 added after a couple of days. I usually make 2 batches at a time so that after 2 stripping runs I have enough to reflux. I get the 50lbs of sugar at Costco & have about 10 lbs left over for household use.