I think youve misunderstood my original post. From the beginning Ive promoted taking hydrometer readings at the appropriate time. I even said that after airlock activity and patience had run their course that a reading should be taken, but that after this another should not be necessary. I dont see this as being "minimalist."
Perhaps I did misunderstand your original intent...as it seemed to be to create controversy. If you've reached your gravity, you shouldn't need to take another reading. If you have NOT reached your gravity, then further action may need to be taken.
We could argue about this forever. I don't have a single problem with taking a reading EVERY DAY, as long as they are using proper sanitation, purging with co2, etc. It just isn't good in general practice, much like relying on your airlock as a sole indicator of fermentation stage.
May be if the title of the thread was dont NOT trust your airlock there wouldnt be so many posts taking the intent wrong. That intent was to not disregard the information that your airlock has to offer. That under ideal condition an airlock trustworthy, but you have to understand it's limitations within you system. And finally that to disregard it to the point of saying it's only use is a vent is foolish.
Again, I think it's very trustworthy as a device for allowing gas to excape from your fermenter. One could also partially guage that fermentation is complete due to a lack of activity, but this is not always the case, nor is it good practice.
But yes, I do believe that someone starting the prescribed method of taking three consecutive reading after 7-10 days is excessive and unnecessary for most beers. But that's just me.
I understand the "3 consecutive days" idea, although I'm not an advocate of it. It's just showing you whether or not you have active fermentation, despite what your airlock is doing, and is an ok practice as long as you have everything sanitized.
So if your gravity is 6 points higher than expected, do you think people should just bottle? Or perhaps they should check again a few days later to see if it moved at all? Perhaps give it a taste and think about whether it is "too sweet."
So no, I don't think people should TRUST THEIR AIRLOCK. I think like any other thing, if you're unsure, you should check it with your hydrometer. Every airlock is different, every beer is different, every brewer is different.
If I'm going to preach anything here, it's going to be: HAVE SOME DAMN PATIENCE. If you're so hung up on whether your beer is done or not, wait another week.
Beer shouldn't come out of the primary in less than two weeks, anyway, unless you are purposely brewing a fast beer and know precisely what you are doing.
