Hard to read hydrometer

[paulied65]

Ok this could be a dumb question. When I use a beer thief to draw a sample, I can't read my hydrometer because of the foam from the star-san. Can I rinse the thief after I sanitize it to get rid of the foam?

 

[flars]

Not a dumb question. I have had the same problem. Some will say it is not necessary to sanitize the inside of the thief because the sample is for tasting after checking the SG and should not be put back into the fermentor. Even though I'm drinking the sample the thief goes into the beer and will be sanitized inside and outside.

I fill the thief with sanitizer. While I'm spraying the outside with Star San solution all the bubbles rise to the surface. I then slowly add some Star San solution to over fill the thief which causes the bubbles to flow off. Can get an almost bubble free sample this way.

 

[Oleary]

Definitely not a dumb question (or if it is, I'm guilty also). The answer I received was to pour the beer back and forth between two glasses until the bubbles were gone (basically degas it). If you decide brewing is for you, the Tilt Hydrometer takes all of the guess work out of it. I just bought my second one. Good luck and welcome to HBT.

 

[paulied65]

Thanks for the responses! That Tilt Hydrometer looks nice, but pricey. May have to buy one though

 

[bucketnative]

You can also, leave your hydrometer sample to sit for a few minutes to let the foam dissipate.

 

[paulied65]

You can also, leave your hydrometer sample to sit for a few minutes to let the foam dissipate.

My thief leaks a little bit from the bottom so I can't let it sit haha. Maybe I'll invest in one of those stand-up tubes

 

[hammy1983]

I put my sample in a hydrometer jar and left it while I siphoned by beer into the secondary. Once I was done, the foam was gone and a good clear reading can be taken.