hydrometer question..

[waskelton4]

quick question..

how much liquid is needed to get an accurate hyrometer measurement?

i used a 22 oz beer glass last time and feel sad that i wasted that much beer..
plus it took me a while to get it out of the carboy.

can i just use the storage tube that the hydrometer came in??

thanks
ws

 

[waskelton4]

nevermind...

http://morebeer.com/product.html?product_id=18647

now i know what that donut thing is for too..

ws

 

[El Pistolero]

can i just use the storage tube that the hydrometer came in??

Yes, and if you do that it shouldn't take more than two oz to float it.

 

[waskelton4]

Yes, and if you do that it shouldn't take more than two oz to float it.

thanks

i felt like an abortion doctor pouring all that freshly cooled wort down the drain..

never again

ws

 

[Glibbidy]

While the storage tube works relatively well. It's also nice to have a grauated cylinder around. It's easy to sterilize, and equally as easy to dip in your wort, take your reading and pitch it back into the wort.

I have never had any sanitation issues with this method.

I tried to upload the image but it failed

 

[Brewby, my beer]

I use the tube it came in, but I don't like it. The hydrometer always ends up leaning against the side of the tube. I need to get a good testing tube (glass)

 

[Glibbidy]

the attachment interface is not working.

Here is my solution:

http://www.matweecha.net/gallery/graduate.jpg

 

[Cheesefood]

See Walker's Sig.

"Hydrometer's Will Only Make You Worry"

I haven't used a Hydro for the past several batches, and I've never looked back. It's just one more source of possible contamination.

 

[Walker]

I've purposely been avoiding this thread, because I'm sure people are tired of hearing my opinion of hydrometers.

They do obviously have value. To an AG brewer, I can see them as being much more important. And if you want to KNOW (not estimate) your abv, then they are almost necessary.

But, just cruise the forums and look for posts from extract brewers who are worried about their batches because the SG was off or the FG is too low/high. I bet that 99 times out of 100, there is no problem. The yeast just attenuated a little out of range or they added too much/little top-off water, or they took a misrepresentative sample for SG, or they are using the thing improperly, or.... whatever. I don't think the device is worth all the fuss.

When I started brewing, I checked gravity. I checked it a lot. I checked at the start, I checked before racking, I checked for "3 static readings" before bottling, I checked on Tuesdays, etc. What did this get me? A few broken hydrometers, a lot of numbers, contamination risks, and ABV info that I never really cared about, but found novel.

The novelty eventually wore off.

I switched to only using it on BIG beers (SG > 1.070). I broke my last hydrometer when I brewed my espresso stout in October and swore I'd never buy another one. But, then I bought a wine kit that required rackings and additives at certain gravities, so I had to buy another one.

I might (read: probably) have batches where my ferment stops shy of an estimated 'proper' finishing point... but.... ummm... who cares? Like cheesefood said; Never Look Back. I've got one for my wine, but I won't use it for my beer.

-walker

 

[Cheesefood]

Yeah, not to beat a dead horse, but I'm drinking and therefore opinionated.

Fermentation is pretty "Tried and true" in terms of how long it will take. If you do a standard batch (i.e. about 6-7 pounds DME and 1-2 pounds grain for us Extract brewers) and you have a storage place that's about 70'F, it's fair to say that the 1-2-3 method will give you a decent fermentation if you observe a typical fermentation (like a bubbling aiirlock within 24 hours).

I'm still convinced that I ruined two batches because I got too excited about measuring gravity when I was a n008. Once I learned that it was unimportant for a homebrewer, I gave it up. It felt naughty at first, but now it's as natural as not wearing tighty-whiteys.

 

[Lost]

You're probably right Walker, for an extract brewer they aren't very helpful. But for all grain brewers they are essential for computing your efficiency, knowing when to stop or slow your sparge, and checking your final gravity to see if you mash temp got you the FG you were shooting for. I have a digital PH meter, thermometer, and a hydrometer and swear by them. But I'm sure others' mileage from these tools varies.

 

[Walker]

Yeah... AG would find it handy.

However, I'm sure that with enough experience and batches done, you would start to rely less and less on the hydro even for AG brewing. Everything would just 'feel' right.

(FYI: Janx is an AG brewer and has the same opinion of hydrometers that I do.)


-walker

 

[ajf]

I agree with walker, but I do use a refractometer to get the OG if something goes wrong during the mash/sparge, so I can adjust with extract if necessary. I might also use one if I changed some equipment or procedures that affect efficiency just to gauge if the changes were OK. For many years, I used one before bottling to guard against bottle bombs, but I now realize that this was completely unnecessary.
The only things I miss by not using them is drinking the sample, and the thrill of trying to catch it as it rolls off the counter top.

-a.

 

[Mikey]

But, then I bought a wine kit that required rackings and additives at certain gravities, so I had to buy another one.

You'll soon find out that wine kits are just as predictable as beer kits, so you won't need to measure with an evil hydrometer on those either.

 

[Walker]

You'll soon find out that wine kits are just as predictable as beer kits, so you won't need to measure with an evil hydrometer on those either.

I fully expect this. Were it not for the facts that (a) the kit cost about $130 and (b) it is guaranteed (kit will be replaced at no charge) if you follow the instructions to the letter, I probably would not have bought the hydrometer.

Of course, after I bought it I realized that there would be no way for the manufacturer to know whether or not I used a hydrometer in the event that my wine came out badly, so....

-walker

 

[uglygoat]

i like to draw samples for readings cause it's an excuse to drink beer...

seriously though, i found the tube it came in was not very reliable, as it warped if i put wort in there that was too hot, and the hydro always hit the side. i spent two bucks and got a thicker plastic tube, with a base.

i just take a sample after the mash is finished to ballpark my effeciency, take a reading after the boil, if i remember... and then take when when i rack to secondary and bottle.... if i remember too... i don't open up the fermentors and sample them till i rack.

it is what it is most of the time...

this winter and spring, i've found my ales benefiting more from two-three weeks in the primary and a few weeks in the secondary, i've noticed my gravity not changing but for a few points in the secondary... i'm not certian about summer as it will be the first summer in the house, so i may have to adjust primary times.

 

[Walker]

i like to draw samples for readings cause it's an excuse to drink beer...

You don't need to take a reading in order to justify drawing a sample and drinking it. I just call it "Quality Assurance Testing".

-walker

 

[Some Hasbeen]

My daughter used my hydrometer as a drumstick when I hadn't quite cleaned up after my first brew. I was sure I'd never be able to finish brewing my beer without one. Went to my LHBS to buy a new one and was told he didn't think they were necessary unless I enjoyed having something to stress about when brewing. In fact, most of his recipes don't even have a spot on them for ISG or FSG. He said he just got tired of worrying about it. I agreed and haven't looked back. So far, I'm on batch number 9 and have yet to be disappointed with any of my brews. My daughter has found alternative materials to use as drumsticks, as well. So we're all happy.