I'm having trouble on a regular basis getting an accurate reading on my preboil gravity.
Example: preboil gravity is 1.050 at 13 gallons. Then Post boil or original gravity is also 1.050, but at 12 gallons.
I know for sure that my gravity is not constant when losing a gallon of water. I trust my OG readings as it is cooled wort measured by hydrometer, refractometer and tilt. All 3 are measuring the same within .001.
I feel like I'm having stratification problems. Typically I will suspend my basket and let it drip, or squeeze the grains until a boil starts. Once its boiling, I take a sample via refractometer.
I figured that the boiling would sufficiently mix my sample.
Only thing I can figure is that
1- The sample temp is still too hot
2- Stratification
3- Unknown
Can someone suggest a better process. I'd like to be able to get a fairly accurate reading to be able to make up large deficiencies, if any, with DME in correcting low gravities.
Example: preboil gravity is 1.050 at 13 gallons. Then Post boil or original gravity is also 1.050, but at 12 gallons.
I know for sure that my gravity is not constant when losing a gallon of water. I trust my OG readings as it is cooled wort measured by hydrometer, refractometer and tilt. All 3 are measuring the same within .001.
I feel like I'm having stratification problems. Typically I will suspend my basket and let it drip, or squeeze the grains until a boil starts. Once its boiling, I take a sample via refractometer.
I figured that the boiling would sufficiently mix my sample.
Only thing I can figure is that
1- The sample temp is still too hot
2- Stratification
3- Unknown
Can someone suggest a better process. I'd like to be able to get a fairly accurate reading to be able to make up large deficiencies, if any, with DME in correcting low gravities.