Is it pretty much OKAY to estimate OG?

[rmb]

Is it pretty much OKAY to estimate OG from the ingredients with an online calculator?

I have a hydrometer but am too lazy to use it... not that it is difficult.

For my current batch, I am unsure by the slow activity... so after 2 weeks I plan to take a reading... but I have no OG. Still, what is the more accurate online beer calculator that would estimate my FG the best?

Thanks

 

[JonM]

All extract? Pretty much okay. All grain or PM? Sometimes mashing grain throws you some surprises and it's best to check it.

 

[Nightshade]

Maybe



That answer is as accurate as guessing the OG, hope that helps.

 

[ktblunden]

All extract? Pretty much okay. All grain or PM? Sometimes mashing grain throws you some surprises and it's best to check it.

This. If you're brewing extract and followed the recipe as far as ingredients and volumes you pretty much can't go wrong. Mashing relies on temperature, water pH, times, volumes, and grain crush. Any one of those goes wrong and it can affect the OG.

 

[rmb]

Yeah... all extract...

5.75 lb LME Pilsen Light
1 lb chocolate specialty
0.5 lb Caramel 120
1.5 lb cane sugar
2 oz kent goldings

1/2 pack of US-05... yes, 1/2... my other similar brew minus the chocolate is doing fine. This one... meh... So I will have to check it to make sure.

 

[Grossy]

For extract, it's up to you, it wont change the taste of your beer if you use it or not. But it will help you learn more about your beer.

For all-grain, I use it for the pre-boil gravity, and then adjust my hop additions based off my efficiency. This helps me brew the beer I intended to brew.

 

[rmb]

"For all-grain, I use it for the pre-boil gravity, and then adjust my hop additions based off my efficiency."

I never knew that.

Interesting.

 

[grathan]

yup too lazy here to. Refractometer ftw if you ever get curious about OG again.