First batch- No hydrometer for readings?

[BeerBrewerDan]

Hi all,

I just started making my first batch of beer from an extract can. I didn't buy a complete beer making kit with like the spoons, bottles barrels etc. I just brought an extract can, some brewing sugar and a 20L plastic bucket. I followed through the instructions with no problem. But I didn't take a SG reading as I just brought the malt extract can itself so I didn't have a hydrometer. My question is since I can't take readings with a hydrometer how will I know when its finished fermenting as I wont be able to see if the readings are the same a few days in a row. Should I just give it around about 4-6 days? I'm keeping the Wert at a steady temperature of between 21-27 degrees Celsius (70-80 Fahrenheit) like the instructions say. I plan on buying a Hydrometer for future batches but for this first one I will have to do without.

Thanks Guys:

 

[AkTom]

Wait 14 days and you'll be golden. Don't be in a hurry.

 

[BeerBrewerDan]

OK thanks, Was just going of by what the instructions said to leave for 6 days. But i'll leave it for 14. Thanks

 

[Pkrd]

Because its extract, if you've followed the recipe then the OG will be as expected. Get a hydrometer this week so you can take FG readings to see when its done.
Try to keep it at the lower end of the temperature range.

 

[PADave]

I didn't take hydrometer readings on my first couple brews either. Give it 2 weeks minimum, or better yet do 3.

 

[seabrew8]

I put up probably a hundred kits before i even knew what a hydrometer was in the early 90's. I used to wait 10 days myself but a few extra days will probably help.

You can generally tell its done when the foam has dropped out - make sure you have some foam on top of the beer - then wait for another 3 or 4 days maybe so the yeast can cleanup the buttery stuff.

I bottled an extract after only 7 days a few months ago - it was fine - i knew it was done from a reading.

Get a hydrometer though you will understand beer making much better.

 

[Terek]

I put up probably a hundred kits before i even knew what a hydrometer was in the early 90's. I used to wait 10 days myself but a few extra days will probably help.

You can generally tell its done when the foam has dropped out - make sure you have some foam on top of the beer - then wait for another 3 or 4 days maybe so the yeast can cleanup the buttery stuff.

I bottled an extract after only 7 days a few months ago - it was fine - i knew it was done from a reading.

Get a hydrometer though you will understand beer making much better.

this. Not sure where you are from, but my local shop has hydrometers for $5. not a big investment for all the knowledge

 

[BeerBrewerDan]

My neighbor lent me his hydrometer to use! Not to sure where to take the reading off as there is different scales around the hydrometer for measuring different things.

 

[dkeller12]

You may want to look into fermentation temperature control on the next batch...70-80F is a little high to ferment at for some yeasts. Controlling your temps on the low to mid 60's will result in a much cleaner finished beer...depending on the yeast and beer type of course, but usually this is the case. Good luck with the first brew. Cheers!

 

[JimRausch]

BeerBrewerDan- Welcome to the forum, and congrats on your 1st batch. Now, before you do batch #2, I would suggest you find, read, and study John Palmer's 'How to Brew'. There's an online 1st edition that should get you started but has some older somewhat outdated info. Look for the hardcopy 2nd edition. It's a resource that will improve your brewing skills enormously and will help out over and over for years.

 

[seabrew8]

Search on youtube, few vids on how to use a hyrdrometer. It takes a little while to get the hang of it.

 

[SEndorf]

As long as you're in the market, I'd recommend this three hydrometer kit.
They're well calibrated, and each one has a very easy to read range.
I've broken and purchased so may hydrometers, it's the one and only subject of which I'm somewhat of an expert on...

 

[flars]

My neighbor lent me his hydrometer to use! Not to sure where to take the reading off as there is different scales around the hydrometer for measuring different things.

Here is the link to Palmer's previous edition on brewing.
http://howtobrew.com/book/appendices/appendix-a/using-hydrometers

 

[IslandLizard]

As long as you're in the market, I'd recommend this three hydrometer kit.
They're well calibrated, and each one has a very easy to read range.
I've broken and purchased so may hydrometers, it's the one and only subject of which I'm somewhat of an expert on...

That's a really nice set, but for the OP and beginning brewer total overkill. Chances are one will break, leaving him/her in the dark. Get a regular one with a 0.900 - 1.200 range or so for around $6-10. Cheap and cheerful. We don't need that much precision, 1 gravity unit (0.001) is enough. Also get a hydrometer jar, makes life easy.

Mind you, they are very, very delicate, so handle them as such. No shaking water off or dropping them. The stem breaks off easily, and the bottom will break on the slightest impact. Rinse and dry it off carefully with a thin towel, paying attention, and put back into its storage tube. Don't leave on the counter, they roll.

Note:
They typically come in a plastic storage tube. Some of those have 2 end caps. Tape one of those end caps down well, so it doesn't drop out on you after it's first use.

 

[DevilNuts]

If you're going to spend $6 on a hydrometer, my recommendation is to spend $12 and get two. They do break on occasion, and you don't want to be caught off guard when it happens to you (like I was).

I now keep a spare.

 

[SEndorf]

That's a really nice set, but for the OP and beginning brewer total overkill. Chances are one will break leaving him/her in the dark. Get a regular one with a 0.900 - 1.200 range or so for around $6-10. Cheap and cheerful. We don't need that much precision, 1 gravity unit (0.001) is enough. Also get a hydrometer jar, makes life easy.

You always post a lot of very good information, but I disagree with "total overkill." A new brewer has enough to contend with. $8 (usually triple scale) hydrometers are usually off 2 to 3 points and those microscopic tick marks representing 2 points are maddening to the eyes.
I don't mean to pick nits, but for the minimal price differential. (The lab grade 1.00 -1.07 is $11.99) I'd spend a few bucks more and start out right.

 

[fuelish]

If you're going to spend $6 on a hydrometer, my recommendation is to spend $12 and get two. They do break on occasion, and you don't want to be caught off guard when it happens to you (like I was).

I now keep a spare.

And chances are great, since you have a spare, you may never break the first....it's how my luck goes....no backup, houston we have a problem ...have a backup,may never need it (like the Boy Scouts "Be Prepared") ....yeah, hydrometers are a must have...

 

[Sailingeric]

After a couple broken hydrometers I have stopped bothering with them. If the beer is not done by the time I keg it, it will never be. Granted I still do extract and when I go all grain I will be getting a good one since I will want to track my efficiency.

 

[IslandLizard]

After a couple broken hydrometers I have stopped bothering with them. If the beer is not done by the time I keg it, it will never be. Granted I still do extract and when I go all grain I will be getting a good one since I will want to track my efficiency.

For all grain a refractometer is much easier and quicker, I find it an indispensable tool. ~$20-25 is all you need to spend. eBay.

Now once there's alcohol present you'll need to use a conversion calculator and it requires you know the original gravity. Some brewers don't even use a hydrometer anymore and rely on a refractometer for routine gravity checks, such as fermentation progress. A drop or 2 is all you need. But since a hydrometer gives you a definitive answer on gravity, it's also an indispensable tool, IMO.

 

[PlexVector]

@BeerBrewerDan'
Although I now have a refractometer, I still use my precision hydrometer for FG, because I like to have enough beer to taste and I have time for it to cool before testing, so don't worry about waiting to get a refractometer. Then later you can ask for a refratometer for your birthday. It is good to eventually have both to check against each other occasionally.

 

[seabrew8]

For all grain a refractometer is much easier and quicker, I find it an indispensable tool. ~$20-25 is all you need to spend. eBay.

Now once there's alcohol present you'll need to use a conversion calculator and it requires you know the original gravity. Some brewers don't even use a hydrometer anymore and rely on a refractometer for routine gravity checks, such as fermentation progress A drop or 2 is all you need. But since a hydrometer gives you a definitive answer on gravity, it's also an indispensable tool, IMO.

What!! I searched one day and they were all north of $100! Thanks for the info hopefully i can find one on ebay.

 

[IslandLizard]

You always post a lot of very good information, but I disagree with "total overkill." A new brewer has enough to contend with. $8 (usually triple scale) hydrometers are usually off 2 to 3 points and those microscopic tick marks representing 2 points are maddening to the eyes.
I don't mean to pick nits, but for the minimal price differential. (The lab grade 1.00 -1.07 is $11.99) I'd spend a few bucks more and start out right.

Thank you for the compliment!

I agree, the common brew store hydrometers are a pain to read. We all find ourselves counting the damn lines 3 times. They're also notoriously off by a few points, needing us to make a mental calculation, what we see is not what we have at hand.

Have you also noticed they always end up with the gravity scale pointing away from you? Like a wheel of fortune, give it another spin... to end up exactly there, again. And who ever uses (or knows how to use) the other 2 scales?

Made for professional use, sure the lab hydrometers are way, way better, I'll give you that, no argument there. They do run a bit more, and shipping needs to be added. You can't just pick those up at your local brew store, although we should, at the same price as the crappy ones.

They do remain very fragile instruments with a short life span, if not handled with utter care.

 

[IslandLizard]

What!! I searched one day and they were all north of $100! Thanks for the info hopefully i can find one on ebay.

Using a really bold generalization, they're all made in China, on the same equipment. The Brix scales are usually fine and quite accurate. Mind you, regardless of what they claim, the corresponding printed SG scale on the right side is always incorrect, since no one ever bothered to use the correct formula and make a new template...

Only a few lab refractometers (well north of $100) do have a correct SG scale, but not even all of those do.

So buy one off eBay for $20-25, the "heavy duty" ones being indeed a bit heavier, easier to handle. Just live with their known inaccuracy of the SG scale above 12 Brix (1.048). Or use Brix and convert if it's important to you having the exact correct gravity. In the end we're all making beer.