When should you take the OG?

[blakester9999]

I'm going to start AG brewing.

When should you take the OG? When you are about to pitch the yeast?

Should you take it when you have 7 gallons of wort before the boil? What do you do if it's too low?

Thanks!

 

[Teromous]

Remember that temp changes the gravity. Take OG after it's been chilled and you're ready to pitch the yeast. I take my reading before pitching the yeast...but I know some people pitch the yeast and then take a reading. My deal is that I take the sample while I'm pouring it into the fermenter, so it's easier for me as a part of my brewing process.

 

[Dunerunner]

I use a refractometer and take gravities during sparging, toward the end of the boil and just before pitching the yeast.

If you miss your gravity low with a 7 gallon boil you will pick up a few points through evaporation. If it is more than 10 points low (1.040 and should be 1.060), add DME or LME to bring it up.

 

[Malticulous]

Before the boil can help you adjust hop additions. You could add DME, boil longer or even add more hops to gain correct balance. After boil helps calculate ABV.

 

[Bizoune]

As soon as I'm finished chilling down to ferm temp, I take a reading. Make sure you get your wine thief, or whatever, well sanitized.

 

[adamtopher]

If you want to calculate efficiency you will want to take a "pre-boil gravity" reading. but OG should be taken right before yeast is pitched.

 

[goose1873]

i use a refractometer and take gravities during sparging, toward the end of the boil and just before pitching the yeast.

If you miss your gravity low with a 7 gallon boil you will pick up a few points through evaporation. If it is more than 10 points low (1.040 and should be 1.060), add dme or lme to bring it up.

+1