Hydrometer question

[Signal1hundred]

I keep reading that you should draw off a sample of beer using a wine thief or a turkey baster when taking a gravity reading, rather than putting the hydrometer directly in the fermenter, so that you dont accidently infect the beer....


I dont understand this.

How is putting a sanitized turkey baster into the beer any different than putting a sanitized hydrometer in the beer? Seems the turkey baster/wine thief would be more risky since they have internal surfaces which are more difficult to clean.

 

[kryolla]

I think it was more about if the hydrometer breaks in the fermenter.

 

[Ceetar]

I tend to agree.

I have a small plastic measuring cup that I use.

I hate turkey basters, such a pain to adaquately clean the inside of. (same with the siphon tubing)

 

[marubozo]

It's not so much about the possibility of contamination as it is being able to get a good reading. It's impossible to get down to eye level when the hydrometer is in the bucket so you either have to put your face down there really close and into the bucket or give it your best guess from what you can see.

I suppose that if you're nose is 3 inches from the top of the beer and you're breathing on it while down there that's a good chance for contamination.

 

[Signal1hundred]

I don't forsee my hydrometer breaking in the bucket.... And I can see the reading pretty accurate without getting my head down inside the bucket. I'm just a NEWB though. Maybe i'll change my ways in the future.

 

[Mikethepoolguy]

I have tried it both ways with the same beer and read two different readings. Since I cant put it in a carboy (and get it back out), I do all the readings the same way.

 

[stedtale]

http://www.brewballstore.com/

Never tried them, but have wanted to.

 

[Catch-22]

The glass on hydrometers is very thin. The beauty of the hydrometer jar is in the case you have a crack or something, just the sample is exposed not the entire beer. Plus you get to drink from the hydrometer jar and see how your beer is progressing.

 

[fg12351]

I was just wondering the same thing. I'm a newb and just brewed my first batch. I sanitized and put the hydrometer directly into my fermentation bucket. I am using components from a Brewer's Best Kit that did not include a hydrometer tube.

 

[Hang Glider]

Did your hydrometer come in a clear plastic tube? I used that for years before I bought an actual hydrometer test jar

 

[stedtale]

Did your hydrometer come in a clear plastic tube? I used that for years before I bought an actual hydrometer test jar

+1 to that. that's what I do.

 

[Catch-22]

Before my refractometer, I'd use that tube for my preboil gravity check once it cooled but then wondered what toxins I was releasing from the plastic considering the 170+ degree water.

 

[mullenite]

I cool in a separate container.