Wicked Daddy
Well-Known Member
I have found that in my last 3 batches the OG is consistently .006 below the expected OG. All three batches have been partial mash/extract brews of various types with different OG expectations. Some basic techniques;
I do full boils (start with 5.5 gal) and have not done late extract additions for this reason
Chill with an IC
Top off, usually takes about 3/4 to 1 gal to bring it back to 5.5
Aerate in the primary, then sample with a thief prior to pitching
Test OG with hydrometer in the thief (this seems problematic, as the hydromter has very little room to move around)
But for example:
1.060 expected OG resulted in a 1.054 on my hydrometer
1.054 expected OG resulted in a 1.048 on my hydrometer
FG's for the two hit the expected FG's exactly.
I chilled distilled water to 60 degrees and tested the hydrometer and it measured 1.000. So I'll assume it's good.
As far as the resulting beer, My first batch (first batch ever) was an AHBS Pale Ale and it turned out really good. It fermented well, conditioned well, and had great color and taste. My second brew (honey brown) is in secondary and fermented like mad (I make starters) and I just brewed my 3rd batch (amber) yesterday and it's going crazy in the primary as I type this.
I probably shouldn't worry about it but a consistent .006 variable has me questioning the issue.
I do full boils (start with 5.5 gal) and have not done late extract additions for this reason
Chill with an IC
Top off, usually takes about 3/4 to 1 gal to bring it back to 5.5
Aerate in the primary, then sample with a thief prior to pitching
Test OG with hydrometer in the thief (this seems problematic, as the hydromter has very little room to move around)
But for example:
1.060 expected OG resulted in a 1.054 on my hydrometer
1.054 expected OG resulted in a 1.048 on my hydrometer
FG's for the two hit the expected FG's exactly.
I chilled distilled water to 60 degrees and tested the hydrometer and it measured 1.000. So I'll assume it's good.
As far as the resulting beer, My first batch (first batch ever) was an AHBS Pale Ale and it turned out really good. It fermented well, conditioned well, and had great color and taste. My second brew (honey brown) is in secondary and fermented like mad (I make starters) and I just brewed my 3rd batch (amber) yesterday and it's going crazy in the primary as I type this.
I probably shouldn't worry about it but a consistent .006 variable has me questioning the issue.