5 gal batch woes

[usmcoklahoma]

I may not have done it right but my current batch is supposed to be a 5 gal batch. I went to take a hydro sample and discovered that there isn't enough beer in there to make the hydrometer float. I cleaned and sanitised my hydrometer and placed it in the batch itself, I heard the clunk of it touching the bottom of the bucket. Should I add some maybe room temp water to bring the batch up or would that mess it all up? Tips?

 

[david_42]

What are you fermenting it in? Unless you were gallons short, I'm having trouble visualizing the situation.

If you are using a nominal 12" diameter brewing pail there should be 12-13 inches of beer in it.

 

[masterchief1112]

call me out if im wrong but if it sinks to the bottom theres too much water in it. i think again new to brewing but thats what my experience so far is(testing hydrometer in a bucket of water). also i think the normal pratice is remove a sample from the batch(using a theif or a baster) then put it in a graduated cylinder and cool it to the temperature the hydro is calibrated to, could be your issue too.

 

[IrregularPulse]

Even if it's pure water the hydrometer will still float. When it hits the bottom is it still sticking out the top? What volume do you have in your fermenter?

 

[mychalg9]

I'm thinking you need a test jar?

 

[jfr1111]

I may not have done it right but my current batch is supposed to be a 5 gal batch. I went to take a hydro sample and discovered that there isn't enough beer in there to make the hydrometer float. I cleaned and sanitised my hydrometer and placed it in the batch itself, I heard the clunk of it touching the bottom of the bucket. Should I add some maybe room temp water to bring the batch up or would that mess it all up? Tips?

What do you think ? Adding a bunch of water will mess it up since you will be diluting the crap out of it for nothing. Sanitize your hands good, pull out the hydro and buy a wine thief.