Safe hydrometer readings off of a bucket fermenter

[arringtonbp]

If I use the tap on my bucket fermenter, can I fill the test glass without taking the airlock off, or will it suck the airlock liquid in as the pressure decreases in the fermenter? I am thinking there may be sanitation issues using the tap.

 

[unionrdr]

I wear tri-focals at this point,& I still have trouble reading those lil numbers on the hydrometer. Me thinks it's time for a new script. Anyway,I just use the tube it comes in for the reading,works fine. Not to mention,it's easier to drink the sample from... I spray a little star-san up into the spout before filling the hydrometer tube.

 

[arringtonbp]

I guess what I was asking is if you have to remove the airlock before turning on the tap.

 

[BOBrob]

No the little gas in the bucket pushes it out. If you have to; just loosen the air lock and burp the bucket. Sanitize and done. Cheers

 

[Kealia]

What do you have in the airlock? Vodka? Starsan?

 

[thisgoestoeleven]

I usually keep a bucket of starsan solution kicking around the house. When I want to take a gravity sample, I dunk my wine thief into the solution, making sure the whole thing (or as close to it (is submerged), and I just keep my hydrometer floating in the solution so it's ready to go whenever I need it. I haven't had any problems doing that so far.

 

[arringtonbp]

Good to know BOBrob.

kealia, I use rum in the airlock because i have a bottle of cheap rum haha. I could easily put starsan in there.

Thisgoestoeleven, that's a good idea.