Help! Added frozen concentrated cranberry juice

[dwhite60]

The thing with a graduated cylinder and hydrometer is that it wastes a lot of product. After testing I wouldn't dare put it back in the fermenter.

If you use a thief you can pull out a small amount and test it with a refractometer, which only requires a small sample.

Hydrometer doesn't work accurately once alcohol is present. It can be done roughly if you find the correct conversion table and know your starting gravity

 

[North1968]

Hydrometer doesn't work accurately once alcohol is present. It can be done roughly if you find the correct conversion table and know your starting gravity

Right, mine has the table on it so it's pretty easy to get that. I think I just have to subtract the final value from the starting one but I haven't really done it since the early 1990's.

 

[marc1]

Hydrometer doesn't work accurately once alcohol is present. It can be done roughly if you find the correct conversion table and know your starting gravity

I think you mean refractometer

 

[dwhite60]

I think you mean refractometer

Good catch. I am humbled.

 

[zacster]

I use a turkey baster (exclusive to my brewing) to draw off some into the old school cylinder, 4 draws with the baster is enough. Hydrometer goes in. But the other purpose of doing that is using it to taste after the reading and it doesn't go to waste. It's the main reason I never bought a refractometer.

I had an instance where the hydrometer reading seamed a bit high after a longish time fermenting but I thought it may be done. Tasting the sample showed it was still too sweet. I let it go another week and hydrometer and taste were both good. The sample never goes back in!!!!

I wouldn't stick a hydrometer into my fermenter. That's just asking for trouble. And one more thing, bubbling in the airlock is not a good indicator.

 

[North1968]

I use a turkey baster (exclusive to my brewing) to draw off some into the old school cylinder, 4 draws with the baster is enough. Hydrometer goes in. But the other purpose of doing that is using it to taste after the reading and it doesn't go to waste. It's the main reason I never bought a refractometer.

I had an instance where the hydrometer reading seamed a bit high after a longish time fermenting but I thought it may be done. Tasting the sample showed it was still too sweet. I let it go another week and hydrometer and taste were both good. The sample never goes back in!!!!

I wouldn't stick a hydrometer into my fermenter. That's just asking for trouble. And one more thing, bubbling in the airlock is not a good indicator.

I've heard bubbling is not a good indicator, but I think with the other evidence (no change in specific gravity over a week) it makes sense to believe it is over. So tonight I bottled it. Put in plastic container in case of blow outs and will keep an eye on it. It has been in the fermenter for 2.5 weeks overall with no change at all in SG in the last 7 days (at least). It really looks like it was almost done when I added the cranberry and things picked up again for a few extra days.

I'll let you know in about 3 weeks how things are shaping up.

 

[North1968]

PS guys, I decided to bulk prime with the extra can of cranberry concentrate after thawing. It actually has nearly the exact same glucose-fructose amount as 3/4 cups of corn sugar from what I read (150 grams).

 

[cmac62]

I use a turkey baster (exclusive to my brewing) to draw off some into the old school cylinder, 4 draws with the baster is enough. Hydrometer goes in. But the other purpose of doing that is using it to taste after the reading and it doesn't go to waste. It's the main reason I never bought a refractometer.

I had an instance where the hydrometer reading seamed a bit high after a longish time fermenting but I thought it may be done. Tasting the sample showed it was still too sweet. I let it go another week and hydrometer and taste were both good. The sample never goes back in!!!!

I wouldn't stick a hydrometer into my fermenter. That's just asking for trouble. And one more thing, bubbling in the airlock is not a good indicator.

Your sticking a turkey baster in there 4-5 times. Why not sanitize the hydrometer and put that in there one time? It is glass and should sanitize fairly well.

 

[zacster]

Your sticking a turkey baster in there 4-5 times. Why not sanitize the hydrometer and put that in there one time? It is glass and should sanitize fairly well.

The other thing with putting the hydrometer in is being able to read it. In a plastic or steel bucket you can't see it from the side, and how do you get it out with a glass carboy? Anyway, we all have our preferred methods. All are good if they work for you.

 

[cmac62]

I usually take a picture with my phone so I can read it. Even with my glasses on its hard to read. LOL

 

[North1968]

Well here's the update. It has been 3 weeks since bottling and no bombs yet. I turned une upside down and saw some bubbles inside so I guess the cranberry as a primer is working at least somewhat. I'll probably crack one open soon to try it.