Terrible Gravity Readings

[BadIggy]

Totally new to this and started with 2 True Brew Kits (IPA and Bock). Followed both to a T (at least I believe I did). The IPA had an OG of 1.040 (supposed to be 1.048) and FG of 1.020 (1.014).

Just started the Bock and got a 1.042 instead of 1.052. These #s within a margin of error? What's more likely I'm not doing something right or not measuring accurately? How can I rectify?

 

[Upthewazzu]

All grain or extract? Sounds like you topped off with too much water (and possibly didn't mix thoroughly) or didn't boil off enough water. Or maybe you misread the hydrometer.

 

[Math0]

Is it an extract kit? If so, the only reasons I see is too much water, missing ingredients or bad reading. How did you take the reading and at what time of the process

 

[BadIggy]

Both '100% malted barley extract' and 'dried malt extract'. Took reading right after I added the wort to the original 3 gallons and then topped to 5 gallons.

Anything I can do at this point, or am I basically brewing 3% ABV beer?

Appreciate the help.

 

[Math0]

You can add more DME or you did a bad reading. Is it fermenting right now?

 

[BadIggy]

Yes, closed it up about an hour ago.

 

[NewWestBrewer]

Extract kits tend not to mix properly even with major shaking. Most likley you hit your numbers but the water wasn't mixed all the way. Leave it and enjoy.

 

[BadIggy]

Sounds good. Can I test the beer once its done to determine ABV just so I know.

 

[Kahless]

As the kit is balanced to have the target OG or very close, it should be perfect for a rough estimate of the OG - It's hard to mix it all up completely. I would use the recorded FG though rather than an estimate, as it has often seemed consistent throughout the finished beer to me, unlike the OG in a few cases, so should be the correct value.
Although perhaps less likely, it is worth checking that your hydrometer gets a reading of roughly 1.0 in water to make sure that it is calibrated properly.

 

[RM-MN]

When you brew with extract, you can't help but hit the projected OG unless you use the wrong amount of water. The sugars are already in the malt extract to make that OG. What happens is the wort you make is very dense and doesn't want to mix when you add water to top up. When you take your hydrometer sample, it usually gets more water than wort and shows you a low OG. Once in a while your sample will be more wort than water and your OG will be very high. Both of these are errors in measurement. Your beer will be the expected ABV when it finishes fermenting.