Tilt Hydrometer

[Murphys_Law]

Krausen can get stuck on the top of it, which throws off the tilt. Regardless, my old one (two screw-cap version) did the same thing. It was reliable in that it always read low at the end, so it was still a great tool for monitoring fermentation activity. I added some calibration points, which helped a little.

I had some battery issues with it too, after changing the battery it would not broadcast or hold a calibration reliably. I emailed customer service about the broadcasting issue, and they were really cool about sending me a replacement due to the battery issue, so +1 on customer service.

New version only screws on one end now?

 

[mirthfuldragon]

New version only screws on one end now?

Correct.

 

[parjay]

Just brewed my first batch with the Tilt, I am addicted to watching the plot on brewstat.us. I would have never thought that I could reach terminal gravity in less than three days, but I think that is what happened:

 

[micraftbeer]

It looks close. Looks like it was maybe still going down a bit. Maybe it's flat lined for you by now.

I'm also amazed at how quickly fermentation is done on my beers versus before where I'd assume it too a week, but ales seem to regularly hit that 3-4 day duration.

 

[LeeH]

They should release a cone shaped top to prevent the gunk sticking to the top.

I too get off readings towards the end.

 

[surista]

It looks close. Looks like it was maybe still going down a bit. Maybe it's flat lined for you by now.

I'm also amazed at how quickly fermentation is done on my beers versus before where I'd assume it too a week, but ales seem to regularly hit that 3-4 day duration.

Yep, same here. From 1.60 to 1.018 in less than three days...
(Those last couple of squiggly bits are where I lightly shook the fermenter)

 

[RevFrank]

Yep, same here. From 1.60 to 1.018 in less than three days...
(Those last couple of squiggly bits are where I lightly shook the fermenter)

View attachment 595520

I love my tilt. When it looks like its about done, ill raise the temp a couple of degrees on an ale ... lower it a couple of degrees on a lager... to see if anything happens. If it does, i let it play out. If no change, i cold crash the beer 24-36 hours, add gelatin fining 24-36 hours, then rack it to my keg for forced carbonation.

 

[micraftbeer]

After multiple brews with the Tilt running, and me tracking gravity and adjusting temperature accordingly, I literally feel like I can't ferment without one. I was panicked yesterday when I had a 3rd batch I was starting to ferment and I couldn't find my Tilt.

I've brewed a couple lagers lately, and I've definitely thought afterwards, "How did I ever do this before?" I've had slow starting fermentations that required patience, super slow starting fermentations that needed interventions, and multiple near stalled fermentations that were saved by bumping up the temperature at just the right moment.

 

[mongoose33]

When it works correctly, it's great. I have one that may be haunted. Last batch, 9 days ago...I put the TILT in just before pitching (sanitized and reading 1.000 in water), and it gives me a gravity of 1.067, when what's in there is 1.058. I've had this happen before--the initial reading is high.

Later, though, when it read 1.031, I drew a sample and checked with hydrometer...1.31. At the end, it read 1.012. Hydrometer sample: 1.011, well within margin of error.

I'd had a big problem with mine using Energizer batteries. Ray-o-Vac work great; Energizers were crap, and seemed to screw up the ability of the Tilt to operate correctly.

********

I use mine in conjunction with the accelerated lager fermentation schedule, so as to know when fermentation is about halfway complete, and I use it to time sealing up my conical so the remaining CO2 produced by the yeast can be used to carbonate the beer.

Since it's impossible to see what's going on inside the stainless conical, I find it quite valuable...when it works right.

 

[LeeH]

Mine seems not to like the cold crash as you can see if you click on the link in my signature.

I’m currently calibrating a iSpindel to see if that is anymore resistant.

 

[Pkrd]

Mine seems not to like the cold crash as you can see if you click on the link in my signature.

What's with the jump from November 1st to 9th?

 

[LeeH]

The cold crash.

 

[Beer666]

Mine seems not to like the cold crash as you can see if you click on the link in my signature.

I’m currently calibrating a iSpindel to see if that is anymore resistant.

Will be very interested to see how you get on with that Lee.

 

[Yooper]

Thanks for trying to help. I probably should add, I already created an account and have not enter any new batch.

When I login, it appears to work on my iPhone 8. However, when I login on my older iPad and on my Windows 10 desktop, while I am able to log in, it will not work.

On those two devices, under the "batches" tab, I get the "blue loading circle" and nothing happens. When I try to go to settings to change the measurement scales, the item will blink and then not change. I am able to turn on the Tilt selection. Then when I exit "settings" and later go back to it, the Tilt selection is turned off. Nothing is saved.

Again, these problems only occur on my older iPad and Windows 10. Again, I am logged in.

You can use Brewer's Friend with the Tilt (and iSpindel) and that should work on the other platform. I think it requires a premium membership for the Tilt, though. If you're already using Brewer's Friend, that's a good option. Or you could try a monthly subscription to see if you like it first, and see how it works with your Tilt.

 

[micraftbeer]

The specs on the Tilt say it's good down to 32F. I'm sure as you approach freezing, it gets confused by density increases. When I'm using it, I let it flatline at FG, bump up the temperature to ensure it's done and do diacetyl rest, then do cold crash. I don't worry about what it shows for gravity during cold crash because I know it's finished, and I'll get an FG sample when I keg after cold crash. Plus it seems to use the measured temperature as part of the equation to convert its degree of Tilt to gravity, and during big temperature swings (up or down), it seems to stray a bit. Again, that doesn't bother me because I know to ignore it during those periods of big temperature steps.

Below plot of one of my typical fermentation profiles with the Tilt and cold crash.

Kiwi Pale Ale Tilt Fermentation Profile

• micraftbeer
• Nov 22, 2018

 

[LeeH]

Will be very interested to see how you get on with that Lee.

I'll update this thread once I have it calibrated and in use.

 

[LeeH]

The specs on the Tilt say it's good down to 32F. I'm sure as you approach freezing, it gets confused by density increases. When I'm using it, I let it flatline at FG, bump up the temperature to ensure it's done and do diacetyl rest, then do cold crash. I don't worry about what it shows for gravity during cold crash because I know it's finished, and I'll get an FG sample when I keg after cold crash. Plus it seems to use the measured temperature as part of the equation to convert its degree of Tilt to gravity, and during big temperature swings (up or down), it seems to stray a bit. Again, that doesn't bother me because I know to ignore it during those periods of big temperature steps.

Below plot of one of my typical fermentation profiles with the Tilt and cold crash.

Kiwi Pale Ale Tilt Fermentation Profile

• micraftbeer
• Nov 22, 2018

The spec must be a little optimistic on mine as you can clearly see it going way out as soon as the temp starts to drop.

 

[micraftbeer]

The spec must be a little optimistic on mine as you can clearly see it going way out as soon as the temp starts to drop.

I think that's more about the high rate of change of temperature messing with the Tilt algorithm. You can see it climbs as your temperature starts to drop, well before you get cold. Same shows on mine. My question is why you would care at that point? My thoughts are that I'm cold crashing, so I: a) Already decided fermentation is done, b) Am finished adjusting temperature in reaction to gravity trends.

 

[LeeH]

Hmmm, good point. I have a STC 1000 plus now so I can ramp down the crash much slower. I could try that say over 72hrs rather that 48.

 

[micraftbeer]

I've read that cold crash is more effective with rapid temperature drop, so you may want to keep the sharp drop. But if you tried a gradual drop to see how the Tilt reacted, that would be very interesting to see.