Hydrometer help

[MudDart]

I whipped up my first batch of cider about a week ago and I've finally managed to sit down and ask this question.

I'm using 3 gallons of local pasturized juice, no additives, with Nottingham yeast.

When I initially went to test with the hydrometer, I filled up a quart mason jar for my sample, lowered the hydrometer into it and it went straight to the bottom. I tried a narrower and taller container and it did the same thing. I was able to tie a string around the hydrometer and lower it into the primary itself and get a reading. I tried again on Sunday with the same results.

I'm pretty sure it shouldn't have sunk to the bottom in the first two containers, is it possible I did something wrong?

 

[Greenbasterd]

they need quite a bit of space.. the test tube things people usually use are much taller then a quart jar and they just have enought room.. OG reading need less space then FG because the OG floats higher with the sugars in there.the string you tied would throw off you reading a few points to.. they are very sensitive.. depending on the sugar content of your apple juice depends how far down it will sink.. i know the apple juice i buy is about 1.047 out of the box..

 

[MudDart]

Ok. Thanks for the info.

 

[GilSwillBasementBrews]

I use the tube my hydrometer came in and it work well as its taller then the hydrometer and is narrow so I'm not taking too large a tasting I mean sample