built in gravity measurement?

[Sidman]

I am currently using plastic buckets for my primary ferment and I started thinking about potential issues related to frequent samplings for gravity readings. It got me to thinking about installing a built in gravity reading tube to make checking gravity a quick and painless process. My initial thoughts were that perhaps I could use a cut section of an auto siphon tube with some sort of pvc elbow connector into my ferment bucket probably about 4 inches from the bottom. I could put a cap on it and place my gravity measurer into that siphon tube. Perhaps an inline flow control to cut off flow. MY first question is would the gravity readings in this tube be as accurate as if I took the measurement from the center of the fermenter.

What are others using to simplify gravity readings?
Is anyone using something similar?

 

[Gavin C]

Just take fewer gravity readings. How many do you take? I never place the hydrometer in the fermentor. The sample needs to be at the right temperature. (60F)

I take the following gravity readings

1 pre-boil gravity reading to measure mash efficiency

1 O.G. reading

Once the beer is in the fermentor I take 1-2 readings

1 FG reading at kegging for ales

2 readings for lagers (1 prior to ramping temps and 1 FG reading prior to kegging).

 

[Sidman]

right now my method is to wait till I see no bubbling and 7ish or so days past and I check Gravity. I was just thinking it would be really nice to just look at the fermenter and see it was done.

 

[Gavin C]

right now my method is to wait till I see no bubbling and 7ish or so days past and I check Gravity. I was just thinking it would be really nice to just look at the fermenter and see it was done.

I ferment in glass so I guess it's easier to interpret the visual clues.

Usually packaging beer at 2 weeks and 3 if dry hopping is involved. But that time frame is entirely dependent on the yeast.

There are some devices you can add to a fermentor to constantly monitor the beer's temp and gravity but they are pricey.

Here's a link to one. The Beer Bug

Seems to be a rehash of he failed brew nanny.