Simple Poll - How Important is a Hydrometer to Your Brewing?

[rdwj]

I use it, but sometimes forget. Not using a hydrometer has never made a bit of difference for me. I know that it CAN make a difference in some situations, so I voted "Could Take it or Leave it".

 

[abracadabra]

Why should you not use one. That is the question that should be asked here.

This whole tread stems from a newbe's question the other day about whether or not hydrometer testing was necessary. In which Muncher and others assured the OP that it was. I on the other hand assured him that it was not and that if he used good sanitation his beer would more than likely be OK.

So then the debated turned to the meaning of necessary .

Then another newbe said he didn't know if his wort had started to ferment and Muncher told him the only way to know was to have taken a hydrometer reading of the OG and subsequent reading. I asked him (the newbe) a couple of questions. And told him to give it a week then look for signs of krausen if there were none the wort would taste sweet. And I told him if there were no visible signs of krausening then he should repitch.

So that's how we got here. I never advised anyone not to use a hydrometer. And so this Poll about whether or not hydrometer readings are necessary.

And not whether or not it is a good idea to use the hydrometer.

 

[BierMuncher]

This whole tread stems from a newbe's question the other day about whether or not hydrometer testing was necessary. In which Muncher and others assured the OP that it was...

I just figured there hadn’t been a lively debate lately…

But now that you mention it, since we're paraphrasing these other threads...let's at least offer a reference so as not to loose anything in the translation.

Then another newbe said he didn't know if his wort had started to ferment and Muncher told him the only way to know was to have taken a hydrometer reading of the OG and subsequent reading. I asked him (the newbe) a couple of questions. And told him to give it a week then look for signs of krausen if there were none the wort would taste sweet. And I told him if there were no visible signs of krausening then he should repitch.

The other thread

 

[Shockerengr]

I have a refractometer and a hydrometer, but lately i haven't been using either. I'm all-grain, but my system is in a state of flux (still building it up as a get parts/time) so I don't have a stable process to start refining.

about the only things i try to watch are the crush and i try to be somewhat predictive of temp....though I've gone much more RDWHAHB lately on temp