Samples for specific gravity

[TriggerHappy]

So, I just started not racking to secondary on most of my beers. If they are going to hang out for a long time I still do. So how do you guys that brew this way get a sample to check your gravity. I used to always just do it while racking. I don't have a wine thief, so did not know if anyone had a great way besides a turkey baster with a hose on it.

 

[Stillraining]

I could tell you but I'll get killed.

 

[slym2none]

I could tell you but I get killed.

 

[relicdog]

use a really long spoon

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Turkey baster without hose... Seriously, do you need enough for a hydrometer reading or can you use a refractometer? I use the latter and send a sanitized straw through the grommet hole put my clean finger over the end and have more than the 2 drops I need. Enough to check color aroma and tiny taste.

 

[Stillraining]

Corrected...thanks pardner.

To the OP..I wasn't being smart...my method is to rogue for this millennium.

 

[TriggerHappy]

Ok, so besides a really long spoon, a refractometer(yes I do need enough for a hydrometer), and a response that gets anyone killed. Oh and with the head space a turkey baster without a hose attached won't reach with the headspace

 

[EcuPirate07]

Another option is to Sanitize hydrometer, carefully drop hydrometer into beer not letting it hit the bottom obviously, get reading, carefully pull hydrometer out. You are done.

 

[slym2none]

Sanitize a measuring cup, open the top (if it's a bucket) and dip the cup in the wort?

 

[TriggerHappy]

Sorry, did not state glass carboy. Otherwise I would be all over the measuring cup idea.

 

[TriggerHappy]

Corrected...thanks pardner.

To the OP..I wasn't being smart...my method is to rogue for this millennium.

It's ok, I am never being smart

 

[RM-MN]

Sorry, did not state glass carboy. Otherwise I would be all over the measuring cup idea.

Sell that glass carboy to someone you don't like so you won't feel bad when it breaks and injures them and replace it with a bucket. Now your turkey baster works just fine. Problem solved.

 

[Redlantern]

Just use a wine thief. probably called a beer theif as well - works on carboys nicely

 

[TriggerHappy]

Sell that glass carboy to someone you don't like so you won't feel bad when it breaks and injures them and replace it with a bucket. Now your turkey baster works just fine. Problem solved.

But my friend sold it to me. Or at least I thought he was my friend. Dang you Sal!

 

[DurtyChemist]

Buy a wine their. I have one that I can put the hydrometer in then pour back into the carboy.

 

[TriggerHappy]

Turkey baster without hose... Seriously, do you need enough for a hydrometer reading or can you use a refractometer? I use the latter and send a sanitized straw through the grommet hole put my clean finger over the end and have more than the 2 drops I need. Enough to check color aroma and tiny taste.

Thanks for your suggestion. When you use a refractometer I thought you could only check original gravity, I thought once alcohol started to be produced it threw off the reading. If not let me know, that may be the way to go.

 

[Mexibilly]

You could sanitize your siphon and rack off a sample to your tube, or just sanitize a piece of siphon hose and use your finger as described above

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

Thanks for your suggestion. When you use a refractometer I thought you could only check original gravity, I thought once alcohol started to be produced it threw off the reading. If not let me know, that may be the way to go.

That is true, alcohol does change the reading and there are calculators to get a "corrected" reading. I started using it because I'm making small batches 1 and 2.5 gallons, and I'm not needing true ABV... I do also use a baster that is only used for brewing much less cost than a wine thief.

 

[TriggerHappy]

Cool. Yes the baster would not be the one I use at Thanksgiving. Thanks for the help

 

[Gavin C]

Not understanding why a turkey baster won't work perfectly for you. Why do you need to attach a hose?

I too ferment in carboys.

I use this to collect samples

• Remove carboy cap
• Take sample
• Replace cap
• Bring sample and hydrometer to 60°F
• Measure SG

 

[phug]

Perhaps he leaves so much head space that the Baster won't reach

 

[GHBWNY]

I use a plastic 100ml syringe with a sanitized 12" piece of 1/4" rigid tubing on the end. Stick through the airlock grommet hole, draw off ~90 ml, fill plastic case with hydro in it. Sanitize and replace airlock. Check FG, enjoy a nice sample of your beer and make adjustments if necessary.

 

[JimRausch]

GHBWNY beat me to it. This is exactly how I do it, but I have a 60cc syringe and have attached a 6 inch length of IV tubing. Spray it down with starsan, then snake it down the airlock hole.

 

[antony]

+1 on the wine thief. Used to use a turkey baster (plastic til it got scratched then stainless)...worked okay but the wine thief is so much easier. also, I haven't broken it yet, so that's something.

 

[TriggerHappy]

Not understanding why a turkey baster won't work perfectly for you. Why do you need to attach a hose?

I too ferment in carboys.

I use this to collect samples

• Remove carboy cap
• Take sample
• Replace cap
• Bring sample and hydrometer to 60°F
• Measure SG

Phug is correct. I leave a good amount of headspace so baster does not reach.

 

[TriggerHappy]

May be time to get a wine thief. Any reccomendations? Didn't know if there is one great one or one to avoid.