Hydrometer reading clarification

[p40whk]

The instructions for my kit say that it should be within 3-4 points of FG before transferring to the secondary.

It's been in the primary for 6 days and I just took a hydrometer reading and I'm getting 1.026.

FG should be approximately 1.012

Which position is the 3-4 points taken from? Would it be 1.015 - 1.016 (using the thousandths scale)?

I forgot to take an OG hydrometer reading when I put the wort into my primary fermenter but the instruction that came with my kit (AHS American Wheat) say's that the OG should be around 1.049.

I tasted the sample (couldn't resist) and it tasted a bit light on flavor but the color looked good but very cloudy. I was going to transfer it to the secondary for about a week to clear a bit before bottling but want to make sure I'm reading the hydrometer correctly.

This is my first batch so I don't have anything to go on so any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[tx-brewer]

The instructions for my kit say that it should be within 3-4 points of FG before transferring to the secondary.

It's been in the primary for 6 days and I just took a hydrometer reading and I'm getting 1.026.

FG should be approximately 1.012

Which position is the 3-4 points taken from? Would it be 1.015 - 1.016 (using the thousandths scale)?

I forgot to take an OG hydrometer reading when I put the wort into my primary fermenter but the instruction that came with my kit (AHS American Wheat) say's that the OG should be around 1.049.

I tasted the sample (couldn't resist) and it tasted a bit light on flavor but the color looked good but very cloudy. I was going to transfer it to the secondary for about a week to clear a bit before bottling but want to make sure I'm reading the hydrometer correctly.

This is my first batch so I don't have anything to go on so any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks!

Yes a point would be 1.015 to 1.016.

I would leave it in primary a few more days without touching it then maybe check again. Most likely its not done fermenting. What temp is it fermenting at? If its too cold it might have a hard time finishing up.

Some people do primary only, some move to secondary. It's a personal preference really. I have done both without noticing much difference, but I still tend to put it in secondary for clearing.

Not knowing your og will only mean you won't know you abv percentage

 

[tx-brewer]

Oh, just noticed its a wheat beer. Typically wheat beers are meant to be a little cloudy. I would just leave it in primary another week or so, no need for secondary on a wheat.

 

[p40whk]

I was going to start another batch Monday is the reason I want to move it to a secondary. That should give it 8 days in the primary.

The temp is right around 70 degrees. It's in my basement so it's tough to get it any warmer. I suppose I could wrap a blanket or something around it, not sure what else to do.

 

[duboman]

I was going to start another batch Monday is the reason I want to move it to a secondary. That should give it 8 days in the primary. The temp is right around 70 degrees. It's in my basement so it's tough to get it any warmer. I suppose I could wrap a blanket or something around it, not sure what else to do.

the beer is do e when the gravity remains unchanged for a few days, before that happens you do not take the beer off the yeast.

As mentioned, it's a wheat, leave it in primary for a week after FG and then package, if you want to brew again sooner, go buy another bucket

 

[kaconga]

I was going to start another batch Monday is the reason I want to move it to a secondary. That should give it 8 days in the primary.

The temp is right around 70 degrees. It's in my basement so it's tough to get it any warmer. I suppose I could wrap a blanket or something around it, not sure what else to do.

Yeast don't understand deadlines. They will be done when they are done and you are at their mercy. Don't go warmer! It will ferment faster but will also produce undesirable flavors. Just keep the temp steady and let them finish up and drop out of the beer. If you want to brew again then do as duboman suggested and get another vessel. You might as well buy it now because you will surely want it in another 2 weeks when you want to brew again and so on and so forth.

 

[unionrdr]

I agree. Just get an ale pail,lid & a couple more airlocks. Airlocks are cheap & having extras comes in handy. I have an ale pail,Cooper's Microbrew vessel,& a 6 gallon Better Bottle for secondarying 6 gallon batches when I'm oaking,etc. I could also use the BB as a FV for a 3rd 5 gallon batch if I know I won't be needing a secondary for a while. Always good to have options.