Measuring FG

[Jeff]

This question maybe kind of dumb, but I am working on my first batch of beer and ran into a problem. I have the beer in a 5 gallon carboy for it's secondary (is it called beer at this point?) and want to measure the FG several days in a row to determine if it is time to bottle (It seems from other posts, that many people don't do, but I want to be kind of anal for the first batch).

Here is the problem: How does everybody measure the FG from a carboy without comprimising sanitation? Do you siphon it? I was thinking of santizing the hydrometer and looping a wire on it, and dipping it directly into the carboy, but it might be difficult to read.

Any help that I could get would be great. By the way so far I've been having a lot of fun, and can't wait to get a taste of my brew.

[sallad]

hydrometers work based on their weight, so wrapping a wire or string or something onto it will throw off your reading.

i just use a santized (inside and out) turkey baster to take a sample. if its in my 5gal carboy, i have no problems reaching the top of the beer! although, i have had to get someone to tilt my 6.5gal carboy to get at my brew.. the baster just wasn't long enough!

[toneyc]

There's a device called a wine theif, or simply a theif, that is much like a turkey baster but has a valve at the bottom. Once sanitized, you dip it into the carboy to collect the sample, pull it out and insert your sanitized hydrometer, take your reading and either drink the sample or return it to the carboy by depressing the valve on the theif.

:)
Toney.

[S.F.B.]

I used a turkey baster for a looooong time. I finally bought a wine thief. Very easy to use. I always drink the sample. I don't like the idea of putting it back into the carboy.

[ray m]

I echo what Toney & SFB said........there's really no easier way to do it than with a thief. It's one of the most useful things I have purchased. If you're worried about something getting into the beer while you have the airlock off, don't........unless your opponent happens by and launches a lugie into your brew!!!

[beerman1001001]

The turkey baster has always worked good for me, too. I just slip one of my siphon hoses over the end of the baster to get more length, squeeze the turkey baster, put the end of the hose into the carboy, and release. Usually I get just enough to fill the hydrometer test tube on my first pull. I know a wine thief is probably the more "proper" way to do it, I'd just rather spend the extra 5 or 6 bucks on grains for my next batch.

[YamahaXS]

clever idea about just putting the hydrometer in the carboy. of course you would need a way of fishing it out without breaking it.


however, I usually just wait my beer out.

[paul84043]

I have slowly converted to Yamaha's method, just follow the "week" cycles and things always seem to work out.

I still take readings, I just don't live by them anymore.

[barley ben]

I pretty much only take two readings. One right before i pitch the yeast and one before i add priming sugar. Just so i know how it did and the abv.

[jamiep]

Okay, question:

Could you tie a string to the hydrometer and measure the gravity in plain old water to see what the weight of the string offsets the weight by, then just sanitize and drop it in your carboy each time to measure the gravity, subtracting the offset of the weight of the string?

This seems easier to me than sanatizing, a baster/thief, inside and out, transferring and measuring... but will my way give an accurate measurement, or am I full of crap?

-jamie

[jamiep]

duplicate post. whoops!

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by jamiep
Okay, question:

Could you tie a string to the hydrometer and measure the gravity in plain old water to see what the weight of the string offsets the weight by, then just sanitize and drop it in your carboy each time to measure the gravity, subtracting the offset of the weight of the string?

This seems easier to me than sanatizing, a baster/thief, inside and out, transferring and measuring... but will my way give an accurate measurement, or am I full of crap?

-jamie

Easier? How hard is it to dip a baster/thief in to a one step sanitizer? You way still requires the cutting of the string, tying it to the hydrometer, getting a water sample, taking the reading, noting the difference, then taking a reading in the carboy, and then untying the string from the hydsrometer. Call me a goalie, but I will just dip the baster.

[jamiep]

Well, once my string is all set up and I know my offset, I just dip it in sanitizer and drop it in the carboy. The string is more of a "one time" setup...

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by jamiep
Well, once my string is all set up and I know my offset, I just dip it in sanitizer and drop it in the carboy. The string is more of a "one time" setup...

Ok, I will give you that. I forgot to add sanitize the string and hydrometer to my list in my first post. I don't think I would want to reintroduce that beer soaked string to my beer, but as I said I am just a goalie.

[BignJames]

Thanks for reminding me guys...just ordered a thief.

[barleyburps]

I still take readings, I just don't live by them anymore.

I second that! . . . .