What do you use your hydrometer in?

What do you folks use to take a reading in after drawing a sample?

I see these cylindrical plastic tube things that people putting their hydrometers in, but I don't know what they're called.

Hydrometer test tube

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_67_64&products_id=11615

Nurmey said:

Hydrometer test tube

http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?cPath=178_67_64&products_id=11615

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This is exactly what I was looking for, thanks!

I just use the plastic tube the tharn ding came in. My (first) floating thermometer came in the exact same kind of tube, which is nice because hot wort bent one plastic tube to the point where the hydrometer drags in it.

i took mine in the tube it came in

If you take it in the tube it came in, make sure you remove the foam from the end cap if your has such.

Just saying.

^that was such a pain in the ass

i had a long wooden spoon with a pencil taped to it with a paper clip hook i made taped to the top o that - 20 mins later that little piece of foam was gone

hahah

hey, if you find an easier way - tell me.

i use a glass one. ~$9.9 http://www.williamsbrewing.com/GLASS_HYDROMETER_JAR_P1911C74.cfm i got one a few years ago for $5.

I just put it in the fermenter (make sure its clean and proper temperature of course)

why suck out all that beer goodness? thats like a pint and a half of beer going down the drain after you test it

If you are pulling a pint and a half taking samples, you are sampling way too often. I take 2 samples at 4 ounces each and we drink it we don't pour it down the drain.

BTW, break your hydrometer in the batch and you lose way more than a few ounces of beer.

Nurmey, I love the avatar. I should buy/make that for my girl and see if she ever catches on.

Back on topic, I use the tube it came in. I bought a test tube and the things like an imperial pint glass, way too much wasted in that thing.

HomelessWook said:

hey, if you find an easier way - tell me.

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My way:

-Remove the hydrometer & top bit of foam, leaving the bottom (PITA) piece in place

-Fill tube about 3/4 with water

-Shake foam wedgie loose (with thumb covering the open end)

-Squeeze foam dry


Done!

CROM said:

...thats like a pint and a half of beer going down the drain after you test it

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Why is it going down the drain?

scrambledegg81 said:

My way:

-Remove the hydrometer & top bit of foam, leaving the bottom (PITA) piece in place

-Fill tube about 3/4 with water

-Shake foam wedgie loose (with thumb covering the open end)

-Squeeze foam dry


Done!

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hah hah


sure beats paper clip fishing.

Baron ken said:

Why is it going down the drain?

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you would drink that OG testing?

its warm and flat!

CROM said:

you would drink that OG testing?

its warm and flat!

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And.......?

CROM said:

you would drink that OG testing?

its warm and flat!

Click to expand...

F^cking-A I do!

I use the Fermtech Thief. I just brewed my first batch and it worked good

http://www.monstermarketplace.com/Food/Landing330a531.html

I just use the tube it came in. I had a test jar, but the bottom broke off quite easily. After that I started using the tube.

I like it just fine. I need a (slightly) smaller sample to fill the tube enough for the hydrometer to start floating, and it doesn't break on me.

I also just use a sanitized turkey baster to pull the sample out of the fermenter.

And heck yes I drink that sample! It's the best way to gauge how your beer is developing. It also gives you a good understanding of how the yeast changes the flavor of the beer. And, from what I've tasted, the yeast does A LOT.

Most of it is quite good, actually.

+1 to the fermtech thief. It works very well for me and you can pull just enough to get your reading, or a little more if you want a good taste. Easy peasy.

CROM said:

you would drink that OG testing?

its warm and flat!

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Yes, I drink my samples, including original gravity ones (which isn't even beer yet since it hasn't started fermenting), although since I started using a refractometer, I have no OG sample to drink.

+1 to thief.

Its what I use take a sample, throw hydrometer in thief. Take reading.

You can then either return sample to fermentor or taste.

I used to use a glass one since it came with my kit, but it was very fragile and broke easily, I use the thief now as well. Works great.

I bought a 2 piece one, after using the tube the hydro came in, and the thief. It's easy to clean, and easier to drink out of.
http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/breakdown-test-jar.html

I use a wine thief, most LHBS should have one.

I use a refractometer to test gravity before fermantation and during fermintation I just have to use a spread sheet after its fermenting i only need 2 drops to test and less risk of messing up the brew and its very accurate heck this is the 21st century time to get high tech hydro has been around a long time but for me the refractometer is for me got mine on ebay for 28 bucks and free shipping

I use a refractometer to test OG before fermentation and then when I transfer to keg I use a hydrometer in a two piece test jar. Easy to clean and the plastic won't break.

It's been over a year since I took a sample of a beer in fermentor to see where it was. Just let it sit and test at racking.

adamkul said:

I use the Fermtech Thief. I just brewed my first batch and it worked good

http://www.monstermarketplace.com/Food/Landing330a531.html

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I use it too. About as easy as it gets and I don't lose any beer, or even drink uncarbed beer, etc.

plastic it came in. It takes less liquid to be able to take a sample and that equals more beer for me later

I also just use the Fermtech Thief and it works great, but I just ordered a Refractometer

I use the Fermtech wine thief. Check out any big supplier for a description.

Tube that it came in. I drew a line with a sharpie so I'll know how far to fill it so the hydrometer floats but not too much more.

The plastic tube it came in. I wish they would make actual hydrometer smaller so it takes less beer to measure.

I know that it's already been mentioned, but .....:rockin:.....to the fermtech wine thief. Super easy to fit into the carboy to get your sample, hydrometer fits in perfectly (just make sure you're holding it straight up and down), and it gives you a nice little sample of your beer.

I'm pretty new to the hobby, but this piece of equipment is very helpful.

eye dropper into a refractometer

My hydrometer seems to stick on the sides a bunch of the plastic tube it came in. it's a real pain. do all plastic tubes do this (even wine thief etc)? I think I need a glass tube.

commonlaw said:

My hydrometer seems to stick on the sides a bunch of the plastic tube it came in. it's a real pain. do all plastic tubes do this (even wine thief etc)? I think I need a glass tube.

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A lot of people have the same problem. Glass +1

I ended up getting a wine thief. What are the lengths you go to sanatize this thing? My usual method is putting Star San solution in a spray bottle and spraying stuff down, but is that enough for something this big?

I keep mine in the bucket of StarSan solution that I keep about for general sanitizing purposes.