maltoftheearth
Well-Known Member
In trying to troubleshoot an issue I *may* be having with my hydrometer (see below) I have run into the following issues brewers have encountered with hydrometer readings:
* bubbles may push the hydrometer higher in the tube/thief, solve by waiting a minute before reading the hydrometer;
* temperature matters, adjust gravity reading for temps significantly higher/lower than 60F;
* taking a reading at the top, not the bottom, of the meniscus;
I would like to suggest that different parts of the carboy *may* have different sugar levels. Is that true? I have seen some here indicate that the corn sugar and water mixture added when bottling often falls to the bottom of the bottling bucket and results in less equal distribution of sugars as a result. I have no idea whether this is true or not.
This question arises b/c I took a gravity reading of my wort yesterday after the cool down (adjusted reading of 1.042) and then one day afterwards before adding yeast or anything else (adjusted reading of 1.050.) This is a HUGE difference and I don't know how to account for it. Suggestions other than those posted here are welcome!
* bubbles may push the hydrometer higher in the tube/thief, solve by waiting a minute before reading the hydrometer;
* temperature matters, adjust gravity reading for temps significantly higher/lower than 60F;
* taking a reading at the top, not the bottom, of the meniscus;
I would like to suggest that different parts of the carboy *may* have different sugar levels. Is that true? I have seen some here indicate that the corn sugar and water mixture added when bottling often falls to the bottom of the bottling bucket and results in less equal distribution of sugars as a result. I have no idea whether this is true or not.
This question arises b/c I took a gravity reading of my wort yesterday after the cool down (adjusted reading of 1.042) and then one day afterwards before adding yeast or anything else (adjusted reading of 1.050.) This is a HUGE difference and I don't know how to account for it. Suggestions other than those posted here are welcome!