Too much water topping of carboy question.

[durus5995]

I did my first home brew about 3 years ago which turned out decent. Recently I had won a Brewers Best Pumpkin spice porter kit at a local home brew day. So tonight I was brewing and the kit says my OG should be in between 1.057 - 1.061. Well I did a 3 gal boil and when I added the 2 other gallons of cold water I used a Fermtech Wine Thief to take a sample which measured 1.070. So I added another 1/4 gallon of water. took another sample and it came out to 1.065. So I added another 1/4 gallon and tested and it shot all the way down to 1.050 and now I am pissed at myself.

The earlier samples looked a little thick and after the first few measurements I noticed there was an orange juice pulp on the side of the test tube. So I rinsed and that is when the reading plumbeted. Can amount of trub in the carboy effect the hydrometer reading? Where did I go wrong and what can I do better?

 

[meatcleaver]

with extract kits its almost impossible to miss your og as long as you get the correct volume.
the most likely scenario is that your top off water & concentrated wort were not thoroughly mixed. it takes a lot of shaking to get it mixed. I usually put a non drilled stopper in my carboy & roll it around on the floor for a few minutes.

 

[mblanks2]

with extract kits its almost impossible to miss your og as long as you get the correct volume.
the most likely scenario is that your top off water & concentrated wort were not thoroughly mixed. it takes a lot of shaking to get it mixed. I usually put a non drilled stopper in my carboy & roll it around on the floor for a few minutes.

This

 

[durus5995]

with extract kits its almost impossible to miss your og as long as you get the correct volume.
the most likely scenario is that your top off water & concentrated wort were not thoroughly mixed. it takes a lot of shaking to get it mixed. I usually put a non drilled stopper in my carboy & roll it around on the floor for a few minutes.

Alright I will see what I can find around for a stopper. Can this be done after the yeast is pitched? What about racking to a bucket mixing and then transferring back? I am using one of those narrow necked 6.5 gallon carboys and the level is slightly past the taper.

 

[ThomasPaine]

Is your goal to get a really accurate reading? If not, than I would just leave it alone. The yeast will mix it up as it ferments.

 

[mblanks2]

I am using one of those narrow necked 6.5 gallon carboys and the level is slightly past the taper.

Here's your answer. Too much in the carboy. If you are full to just below the taper in a 6.5 gallon carboy you would be at 6 gallons so if your "slightly past the taper", that would be even more.

You'll have more beer at a lower ABV.

 

[durus5995]

Here is a picture of the carboy. But yeah I want to get as accurate of a reading as I can. I suppose I wont be able to considering I have some fermentation going. I just hope it has flavor when it is done.

I definitely need to invest in a freaking propane burner. My gas stove did alright with 3 gallons but I want something that will boil water quicker and I need a wort chiller.

 

[mblanks2]

Here is a picture of the carboy. But yeah I want to get as accurate of a reading as I can. I suppose I wont be able to considering I have some fermentation going. I just hope it has flavor when it is done.

I definitely need to invest in a freaking propane burner. My gas stove did alright with 3 gallons but I want something that will boil water quicker and I need a wort chiller.

When this beer is complete take the time to add graduated markings on the outside of the carboy in 1/2 gallon increments. That way in the future when you're topping up you'll know where to stop.