Hydrometer reading question

[Kenpachi Z]

Ok so i took a hydrometer reading on my meads and this is the sp gr section of the hydrometer the first mead reads right on the 50 mark and the second is this ( refer to pic ) so at the risk of asking a stupid question can someone tell me what it means ?

 

[cajunrph]

SG 1.012. Depending on your OG it may or may not be done. You said the other reading was 50 mark? Was that the Starting (original)Gravity or OG?

 

[bracconiere]

am i wrong at reading that as 1.014?

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

Remember to read any liquid at the meniscus.

 

[cajunrph]

Hard to tell with the angle. Either way depending on the OG and the Yeast tolerance there may be some fermentening to go.

 

[bracconiere]

Remember to read any liquid at the meniscus.

i have to look the definition up for that word every time....but as far as what it means, i'd say if it started at 1.050, it'll go down to 1.000 or less with time?

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

i have to look the definition up for that word every time....but as far as what it means, i'd say if it started at 1.050, it'll go down to 1.000 or less with time?

In other words, read the volume at the bottom of the liquid curve.

 

[bracconiere]

In other words, read the volume at the bottom of the liquid curve.

so you were saying i was right? i usually just look at thing and wonder why it's not displaying the SG at all.....

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

so you were saying i was right? i usually just look at thing and wonder why it's not displaying the SG at all.....

Read the bottom of the curve at a level reading. Not from the top, not from the bottom, level.

 

[Tobor_8thMan]

I wrote level as the photo in this thread is from the top.

 

[bracconiere]

Read the bottom of the curve at a level reading. Not from the top, not from the bottom, level.

honestly my orginal post i went on, and on about 13,15. settled on 14...

but anyway, i think for a honey wine it's got more fermenting to do, and maybe someone else can chime in on if maybe some nutes would help it?

 

[bracconiere]

I wrote level as the photo in this thread is from the top.

now i'm getting curious, so always look at it eye level? but i'm not being helpful, honey is low on food for yeast but 100% fermentable, as far as i know. so it will go to 1.000 or less....i know when i've made cyser, honey and apple juice goes to like 0.995 or so....

 

[cajunrph]

Agreed it should be lower. We don't know how long it's been fermenting either. As they say in Vegas, let er ride!!!!

 

[bracconiere]

Agreed it should be lower. We don't know how long it's been fermenting either. As they say in Vegas, let er ride!!!!

i'd be curious at a comparison between the hydro, and a refrac reading....

 

[Kenpachi Z]

SG 1.012. Depending on your OG it may or may not be done. You said the other reading was 50 mark? Was that the Starting (original)Gravity or OG?

You mean the OG the reading i took when i first made it or ? Because this would be the first as in the first time pretty much doing anything first 2 batches of mead as well

 

[bracconiere]

You mean the OG the reading i took when i first made it or ?

yes, and ethanol has a SG of like 0.78 or something. so when it's in water you can calculate ABV by first reading and last reading, most yeast can only handle 12-14%. why i would be curious about a refrac reading because ethanol, actually raise it and comparing the two will tell you how much alcohol is present....

 

[Kenpachi Z]

Refrac ? But yeah i know to take a reading in the begining now but should i do that before or after pitching the yeast ? Wait the refrac do you mean that other meter ? I heard those don't work very well was i told wrong ?

 

[Kenpachi Z]

Agreed it should be lower. We don't know how long it's been fermenting either. As they say in Vegas, let er ride!!!!

I've already racked from first to secondary so id say its been a little over 2 months

 

[Miraculix]

Refrac ? But yeah i know to take a reading in the begining now but should i do that before or after pitching the yeast ? Wait the refrac do you mean that other meter ? I heard those don't work very well was i told wrong ?

As soon as the year started to produce alcohol, they don't work reliably anymore. Just keep using the hydro and you're good.

First reading is done before pitching the yeast.

 

[Kenpachi Z]

Ok thanks ...will do on both .... Another question so i understand this a little better ....so the closer to the top of the hydrometer is the lower the gravity right ? And what's better higher or lower gravity ? Im sure i sound like a greenhorn lol

 

[Kenpachi Z]

Also on the hydrometer it has a part that says abv ( alcohol by volume ) why cant you use that to see the alcohol level ?

 

[Miraculix]

Also on the hydrometer it has a part that says abv ( alcohol by volume ) why cant you use that to see the alcohol level ?

Because you also have other stuff in solution that affects the gravity, not only alcohol and water. How should the scale know, how much of it?

Ok thanks ...will do on both .... Another question so i understand this a little better ....so the closer to the top of the hydrometer is the lower the gravity right ? And what's better higher or lower gravity ? Im sure i sound like a greenhorn lol

Yes, the deeper the hydrometer dips into the solution, the lower the gravity.

The lower the gravity, the less amount of sugar is in solution. The higher the gravity, the sweeter it tastes.

The yeast will continue to eat all sugars till the alcohol percentage is so high that the yeast cannot take it anymore and goes dormant. From them on, gravity stays stable and additional sugar won't be fermented, then it can be backsweetened, if necessary. Otherwise, the yeast would just eat additional sugars.

 

[Kenpachi Z]

Ok wow thank you very much that helped me understand a little better

 

[Kenpachi Z]

Im going to try to use black tea as my yeast nutrient this next batch of mead im fixing to make this weekend does anybody know how i should add for 1 gallon of must ?

 

[Kenpachi Z]

I'm sorry how much i should add i meant to say ...

 

[Kenpachi Z]

Also does anybody have any recommendations for a better yeast nutrient ?

 

[Kenpachi Z]

Because you also have other stuff in solution that affects the gravity, not only alcohol and water. How should the scale know, how much of it?



Yes, the deeper the hydrometer dips into the solution, the lower the gravity.

The lower the gravity, the less amount of sugar is in solution. The higher the gravity, the sweeter it tastes.

The yeast will continue to eat all sugars till the alcohol percentage is so high that the yeast cannot take it anymore and goes dormant. From them on, gravity stays stable and additional sugar won't be fermented, then it can be backsweetened, if necessary. Otherwise, the yeast would just eat additional sugars.

So is there a way to tell how much alcohol it has then ?

 

[Miraculix]

So is there a way to tell how much alcohol it has then ?

Of course, via math. Google "abv calculator brewers friend" and hack in your starting gravity and your final gravity. The calculator will give you a good estimation. For higher abv brews, above about 9%, you might want to use the alternative formula. Should be pretty straightforward!

 

[Miraculix]

Also does anybody have any recommendations for a better yeast nutrient ?

Google tosna 3.0 and follow the protocol! That's the way to choose your nutrients, when to add and how much to use specifically

 

[cajunrph]

Also does anybody have any recommendations for a better yeast nutrient ?

Get ready to go down a rabbit hole. Here is a crash course on nutrients in mead.

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/threads/brays-one-month-mead.429241/