can a new hydrometer be broke?

[weissbier91]

I am checking my wort/beer (its been 6 days now, air lock is silent now)

Says 1.00 I have never done this before. So i think maybe the wort is bad. I then take a store bought beer, check that...1.0 Wine from store also same


Am i doing something wrong?

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

How big is your sample? The hydrometer must float freely in the sample.

You are putting the thicker end down correct?

Could be broken. The scale inside can shift sometimes. But odd you'd get the same reading from 3 different samples. Post a pic of the hydro if you can, and the reading.

 

[thekraken]

I am checking my wort/beer (its been 6 days now, air lock is silent now)

Says 1.00 I have never done this before. So i think maybe the wort is bad. I then take a store bought beer, check that...1.0 Wine from store also same


Am i doing something wrong?

Because your reading 1.0 on all three samples I'm inclined to think you are misreading it.

 

[weissbier91]

well, when i put it in Cranberry juice, it certainly did not read one...lol

My wort is actually reading 1.013

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

well, when i put it in Cranberry juice, it certainly did not read one...lol

My wort is actually reading 1.013

And what do the others "actually" read?

 

[weissbier91]

well, the wine does read exactly 1 The 2 juices i put it ther emeasured much higher, i didnt look exactly

The Apple cider was like 1.010 (Angry Orchard)

The beer I made sure finish up between 1.010-1.014 So, mine is showing 1.013 which is within the range.

I will let it sit a few more days though

 

[GilaMinumBeer]

So, you were reading it wrong. Correct?

 

[khannon]

Carbonation could affect the Angry Orchard reading too.

It should read 1.0 in plain water. The juice and unfermented wort have sugars in them that will cause the reading to be higher.

The wine has alcohol (lighter/less dense than water) and sugars (heavier/ more dense than water) so it's not all that uncommon to be right around 1.

Also of note is that you need to be consistent with temp when reading your hydrometer, and most are calibrated for 68-70F

The beer you made will be ready when you get a few hydrometer readings that are the same in the course of a few days. Do not go by the recipe's expected FG or you risk bottle bombs.

 

[weissbier91]

o0k khannon, thanks

I dont know what my SG/OG was, as I thought I had a hydrometer with the starters kit my wife got me, but it did not.

SO I can only guess that it will be close to what it says it shoudl be.

 

[weissbier91]

yes Gila, I for some reason got confused and thought as it added more alcohol, it should float higher in the tube