Need quick answer

jackb128 · Mar 20, 2013

I'm brewing as I type. Do I take OG reading before or after I pitch yeast? Thanks!

LovesIPA · Mar 20, 2013

I usually do it before so I can just fill a 100ml cylinder with wort that I'm racking as opposed to sticking a wine thief into the fermenter. They will both give you the same reading unless you're pitching a huge starter.

Cyclman · Mar 20, 2013

Before, you don't want to waste yeast in your measuring glass, and don't pour the measuring beer back!

Hackwood · Mar 20, 2013

Cyclman said:
Before, you don't want to waste yeast in your measuring glass, and don't pour the measuring beer back!

Exactly.

PackerfaninSanDiego · Mar 21, 2013

Cyclman said:
Before, you don't want to waste yeast in your measuring glass, and don't pour the measuring beer back!

really? why?

Schol-R-LEA · Mar 21, 2013

PackerfaninSanDiego said:
really? why?

Contamination concerns, primarily. Even if you are careful about sanitation, returning the sample to the wort is too much of a risk.

Also, the sample is likely to be exposed to oxygen, and returning it could cause oxidized flavors to enter the wort.

JohnK93 · Mar 21, 2013

For the little wort you're using to take your hydro reading, it's just not worth the risk of contaminating the batch by pouring it back in (in case your hydrometer, test jar, or beer thief aren't sanitized properly).