Hydrometer in the carboy....

[britishbloke]

I have a friend who keeps the hydrometer in the carboy when fermenting a mead.

Would that give a good gravity reading? It should be accurate I would think.

Im thinking about leaving one in a batch of Apple wine im making.........

 

[ayrton]

It'll give the same reading that you'd get in a hydrometer sleeve. The only issue is that, once you've racked or bottled, you need to take great care to not break the hydrometer as you fish it out of the carboy.

 

[Nexus555]

Although I've never left mine in the carboy, I would imagine it would be hard to get a reading as well. It seems it would be rather difficult considering: how small the lines are, how far away it could be if it were in the middle and looking through curved glass.

Also as the poster above mentioned, it would be rather difficult to fish it out without breaking. And if it did break, you now have to clean shattered glass from the inside of your carboy!!

I wouldn't recommend this, but if you try it and like this method, then go for it!! I guess it would be cool to check it daily and see how much progress has happened. I guess another benefit would be you wouldn't waste any beer from taking readings.

 

[paranode]

Seems like it would be an easy task in a bucket for sure. At least, to take a quick reading, not to leave it in there.

 

[BierMuncher]

I can barely read those little bitty numbers on a clean hydrometer...up close. I'd guess that the krausen would really gunk-up the glass.

Plus, a hydrometer reading is my excuse for a sample tasting along the way.

Can you see my hydrometer in here?



And in case your wondering about Apfelwien krausen?

 

[peterfuse]

That's some epic fermentation. only ever had a blowoff with a wheat beer once.

 

[IrregularPulse]

That's some epic fermentation. only ever had a blowoff with a wheat beer once.

Me too

But I've only made one wheat beer :cross:

 

[DutchK9]

I thought some of the more experienced people on this forum said in the past that in the carboy you have bits of hops, yeast, and grains moving in the wort as it ferments which eventually settles to be the trub. I believe they said these floaties can cause an inaccurate reading. Can somebody please correct me if this thought is wrong?