Craig Bird
Active Member
- Joined
- Nov 10, 2019
- Messages
- 29
- Reaction score
- 2
So I have brewed three batches after an 8 year break. I broke my glass hydrometer so have been using the refractometer that came with my equipment purchased from Craigslist seller. I was wary from the readings after my first brew back before I broke my hydrometer. I used both and couldn't get them to agree. Yesterday I had a friend co-brewing and he had a refractometer so perfect chance to see if they agreed. I am taking a lot of readings as I am trying to dial in my system. I am brewing Lagunitas Little Sumpin clone 1.070 OG. Here are my readings:
First Runnings 1.064
Second Runnings 1.041
Pre-boil 1.052
I had my buddy check my Pre-boil with his refrac and he got the same reading. All readings were taken from small samples poured into a shot glass and allowed to cool down.
For my post boil, I ran a bit off the valve of the boil kettle before chilling, let cool and it was 1.052. Can't be right. decided to let it all cool and take reading after chilling. I lost my dropper(started drinking a bit earlier than I usually allow myself on brew day). I dipped my thermometer in the fermentor before pitching and let that drop on the refrac. 1.052 wtf! I then thiefed a small sample, 1.052! My pre-boils were just below target of 1.054 verified by second refrac. Now it is chugging away so I guess I am not going to know my OG.
I did top off my pre-boil volume with only about 1 quart of water after refrac to about 7.75 gal and boiled down to 6.5 gal. I just noticed that my BrewCipher sheet assumed post boil at 6 gal. I did 6.5 to account for boil kettle deadspace, which I have set a 0.5 gal in the sheet. Not sure if the sheet considers post-boil volume after draining kettle or before and if my reading is an extra half gallon thin (plus the .25 gal I added pre-boil) and is bringing down my OG or what.
First Runnings 1.064
Second Runnings 1.041
Pre-boil 1.052
I had my buddy check my Pre-boil with his refrac and he got the same reading. All readings were taken from small samples poured into a shot glass and allowed to cool down.
For my post boil, I ran a bit off the valve of the boil kettle before chilling, let cool and it was 1.052. Can't be right. decided to let it all cool and take reading after chilling. I lost my dropper(started drinking a bit earlier than I usually allow myself on brew day). I dipped my thermometer in the fermentor before pitching and let that drop on the refrac. 1.052 wtf! I then thiefed a small sample, 1.052! My pre-boils were just below target of 1.054 verified by second refrac. Now it is chugging away so I guess I am not going to know my OG.
I did top off my pre-boil volume with only about 1 quart of water after refrac to about 7.75 gal and boiled down to 6.5 gal. I just noticed that my BrewCipher sheet assumed post boil at 6 gal. I did 6.5 to account for boil kettle deadspace, which I have set a 0.5 gal in the sheet. Not sure if the sheet considers post-boil volume after draining kettle or before and if my reading is an extra half gallon thin (plus the .25 gal I added pre-boil) and is bringing down my OG or what.
