Do you take Gravity Readings in the Bucket or from a Sample?

[TAK]

I've been brewing for about six months now. I always pull a sample to take my gravity readings, OG, FG, and maybe one in between. I brewed with a friend the other day. He's been brewing for over 5 years, never had an issue and he took OG straight from the bucket. I suppose it makes sense, if I can sanitize whatever I pull a sample with, why not the hydrometer?

I hate wasting beer, so I want some of your feedback. Do you take gravity readings from a sample or straight in the bucket?

 

[tom_gamer]

I only use bottling buckets. I draw a sample then drink it after the reading. You have to make sure its good too. You don't have to sanitize anything, less risk of infection.

 

[daksin]

I actually do both. If the surface of the beer is clear of any break material or hops, and I'm fermenting in a bucket, the hydrometer goes right in. If I'm fermenting in a carboy, I pull a sample with a thief. If I'm in a bucket, though, and need a sample (for "quality control" after hydrometer check) I just sanitize my pyrex measuring cup and pull out 8oz.

 

[y6y6y6]

From sample.

1) I can pull a sample through the airlock hole, so no need to remove the lid, which is a pain.
2) Even for OG and FG, I want the lid off and things in my beer for as short a period of time as possible.
3) I want to taste it.
4) Hydrometer readings are hard enough in a sample tube. How the hell would you do it accurately in a bucket?

It's likely fine either way if it works and doesn't contaminate things. Sample seems better for my workflow.

 

[TrubDog]

OG from the brew kettle once it's cooled and before transferring to Primary. FG two weeks later when i transfer to secondary or if no secondary when I transfer to keg after three weeks. I always look forward to the FG sample cause I get my first taste!

 

[Golddiggie]

I take the OG sample from what's left in the hoses after running through the plate chiller and into primary.
I take the FG via a thief from primary before I transfer to serving keg.
Neither sample goes into the rest of the batches. I also place the samples into 4 dram vials so that I can take a reading from them later, with a refractometer. I only 'lose' 1oz total in the process. :rockin:

 

[TAK]

I only use bottling buckets. I draw a sample then drink it after the reading. You have to make sure its good too. You don't have to sanitize anything, less risk of infection.

I thought about doing this too but was scared off from the possibility of the bottling spigot itself molding or otherwise harboring infections. Once you pull a sample, its inevitable that some beer will sit in the spigot, exposed to ambient conditions. Have you ever had any issues?

 

[tom_gamer]

I thought about doing this too but was scared off from the possibility of the bottling spigot itself molding or otherwise harboring infections. Once you pull a sample, its inevitable that some beer will sit in the spigot, exposed to ambient conditions. Have you ever had any issues?

I guess that is a possibility but I clean it and sanitize before bottling. Never had any issues. I would be more worried about opening the lid.