Hydrometer Problems

[FFSal]

I'm in the final stages before bottling of my Blueberry Weizen. It's been in secondary fermentation for close to 30 days now and I want to start taking hydrometer readings to confirm the completion of fermentation before I bottle. My secondary fermenter is also my bottling bucket so today I simply took a pint glass and filled it from the spigot and attempted to take the hydrometer reading but it just sunk to the bottom. I tried a different glass, same result. The only thing I could think of is that where the spigot is, it's obviously close to the bottom and that's where the blueberries are, sitting on the bottom. Is it because the sample I took may have more sugar because it's closer to the fruit and giving a false reading or am I doing something else wrong? I'd rather not open the lid of the bucket and expose it to air just to take a small sample from the top. Any insight?

 

[Kevin79]

First lets make sure your hydrometer is working properly. Put it in water and see if it floats at the 1.000 at room temperature. Then let's go from there. I find it unsettling that your hydrometer is sinking

 

[fartinmartin]

Sugar makes it float high, not sink !
Your pint glass isnt long enough.

 

[flars]

Your glass may not be tall enough to float the hydrometer.

 

[boydster]

Your glass may not be tall enough to float the hydrometer.

+1, this was my first thought.

Second possibility: broken hydrometer.

 

[Kevin79]

Your glass may not be tall enough to float the hydrometer.

^ this too. Make sure you are using a tall glass or tube. Needs to be nearly as long as the hydrometer itself

 

[FFSal]

Realized how stupid I sounded after I posted this when I looked at the glass and figured out that there has to be more liquid than the length of the hydrometer! I appreciate the replies, boy I feel dumb!

 

[Stealthcruiser]

Them Blueberries will do that to ya'..........

 

[kickflip_mj]

Good thing it's a beer forum, we'll chalk it up to being drunk this time.


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