FG from bottom spigot ok?

[BrewBri]

Hi there,

Brewed my first batch this Sunday, a Simcoe IPA. My fermentor has a spigot at the bottom. Would it be ok if I used this spigot to fill my hydrometer vessel? Being at the bottom I'm worried it would collect sediment but I'm not sure if/how that influences a gravity reading.

 

[DaNewf]

I use the Cooper's DIY fermenter. It has a spigot on the bottom and you can sometimes see sediment in it. The DVD that came with the DIY kit recommends taking gravity samples from the spigot. This would reduce the exposure of the beer in the fermenter to the outside world.

If you do get a little sediment in the test jar just let it settle before taking a reading if it makes you feel better.

 

[unionrdr]

Agreed. My Cooper's Micro Brew FV has their spigot near the bottom. I install the red & white Italian spigots in my other fermenter & bottling bucket to make life easier. They don't always get settlings in them. But when they do, I take that sample & toss it. Rinse the tube & take another one just to get a clear sample.
Having said that, The settlings will not change the reading, I just like to dump the settlings. Seems to me the instructions I got with my Micro Brew fermenter kit said something along those lines. Just a good excuse to clean the spigot before time to rack to the bottling bucket.

 

[bberg]

Measuring the gravity of a liquid is not effected by SETTLED sediment at the bottom of the container... If you have particle/sediment suspended in the fluid you are measuring, your hydrometer reading will not be as accurate. I'd recommend using the spigot and giving it a couple minutes to settle out (just my 2 cents).

Water will read 00 with or without sand below

 

[BrewBri]

Great! Yes, taking it from the spigot seems much less risky than taking the lid off. Thanks guys.

 

[unionrdr]

That's the other advantage to having a spigot on all of them to me. Just take the center piece out of the airlock & put the cap back on while taking the sample to avoid suck back.

 

[bberg]

That's the other advantage to having a spigot on all of them to me. Just take the center piece out of the airlock & put the cap back on while taking the sample to avoid suck back.

Posting this just make sure you read this! It's super important unless you want to increase your chance of infection or unnecessary water or vodka in your beer!