hydrometer useage

[wortchillergoal]

Boy, you can learn something new everyday. I just saw in another thread not to use the tube the hydrometer came in to do your readings. What are you supposed to use and/or what are the rest of you doing? In all the years of brewing, not using that tube is a new one on me.

[croc4]

I purchased a special tube (don't recall what the thing is called) for taking hydro readings from the LHBS. I't may have been over kill but it is another gadget, so it can't be all bad ;-)

I think the tube that the hydro came in is too small a diameter and the hydro will rub the sides thus throwing off the reading by
some amount
________
COLORADO MARIJUANA DISPENSARY (http://colorado.dispensaries.org/)

[jsmurphy]

Are you talking about the tube that protects the hydrometer?
Mine came in a protective tube, but also came with a larger diameter "sample tube" that has a small base so it stands up. It's probably 38mm in diameter, and the hydrometer seemed to float freely in it, once you give it a good spin.

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by jsmurphy
Are you talking about the tube that protects the hydrometer?
Mine came in a protective tube, but also came with a larger diameter "sample tube" that has a small base so it stands up. It's probably 38mm in diameter, and the hydrometer seemed to float freely in it, once you give it a good spin.

I don't rightly know. I saw in the other thread not to use the tube it came with. I have the same tube you describe. I have had my equipment for so long I can't remember how the hydro was packed. I would say the important thing is my beer comes out the way I enjoy it. What did they do before science gave us hydrometers?

[jsmurphy]

Originally posted by wortchillergoal
What did they do before science gave us hydrometers?

They probably just relaxed and had a brew...:D

[paul84043]

They were undoubtedly talking about the plastic tube that the Hydro comes in. I had the same experience, the tube is way too small and the hydrometer rubs the sides. I bought the larger "sample tube" which has a nifty baseplate on it. It was only 3$, no biggie....

[YamahaXS]

i actually used that sleeve for a long time (think years), haha it was a pain int the butt, but by god i saved 3 dollars!

heheheh now i have a sample cylinder and dn't have to take 10 readings and average them.

[mmmBeer...]

I use a sample (wine) thief, dip it in and it fills up, lift it out drop the hydrometer in (spin it while doing so) take my reading and (gasp…) return the beer to the carboy. Easiest tool for taking samples, I highly recommend this along with the autosyphon.

[Quoodle]

I use a plastic package tube (wider than the hydrometer packing tube) that came with my thermometer - looks like I save 3 bucks as well:)

[Beerconnoisseur]

...with just putting your hydrometer/thermometer/etc. directly in the brew kettle? As long as you sanitize (either by adding them at the last part of the boil, or putting them in sanitizing solution first, post-boil), you should be OK. For the hydrometer, you'd need to do temperature corrections, but other than that.....

[jsmurphy]

But Berrconn, I'd be cheating myself out of another neat gadget! :D

[mmmBeer...]

Unfortunately I don’t do a full boil (I only do about 3.5 – 4 gallons) so taking the reading in the kettle is not possible, but what a great idea! The easier the better I always say.
:D

[Beerconnoisseur]

Originally posted by jsmurphy
But Berrconn, I'd be cheating myself out of another neat gadget!

Think of the money you'll save up for a brewing sculpture from MoreBeer. ;)

[wortchillergoal]

I don't mind spending the $3. I was a little surprised that I went so long without hearing about this. I will have to check my shop the next time I go.

[sullydavid]

I wanted to second what mmmBeer said. The thief is a great gadget and makes taking samples easy and accurate without wasting any beer. I think the only complaint I have is that I used to like drinking the samples :) Well, I suppose I still can.

Anyway if you are going to bother $3 for a cylinder then step up to a whopping $6 for a thief, it is definately worth it.

[mmmBeer...]

I gotta admit I don't put all the beer back, I leave a little in the thief and pour it into a cup :D

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by mmmBeer...
I gotta admit I don't put all the beer back, I leave a little in the thief and pour it into a cup :D

I always drink my samples. I drink the sample before I pour and pitch into the primary. I can't be the only one.

[jsmurphy]

Originally posted by wortchillergoal
I always drink my samples. I drink the sample before I pour and pitch into the primary. I can't be the only one.

Me too. I never pour the sample back into the beer, too paranoid. Plus, I like to know how the taste developes thru the process.

[mmmBeer...]

I figured the sanitation issue would come up sooner or later :) I find it quite amazing the different lengths this community goes to…yet we all make good beer.

Before the thief, I would never put a sample back, but since the thief is sanitized, and so is the hydrometer, I don’t worry about it. I just figure that if it is clean enough to submerge into the carboy then the sample is fine to put back.

Never had a problem with an infected batch either.

[ray m]

Mmmbeer...uh oh...ya had to say it....you're screwed on your next batch...you'll probably develop some super-mutant non-scientifically classified disease in your wort! That's why I never say....uh, well, you know;)

[wortchillergoal]

Originally posted by mmmBeer...
I figured the sanitation issue would come up sooner or later :) I find it quite amazing the different lengths this community goes to…yet we all make good beer.

I don't put the sample back because of sanitation. I don't put it back because I want to roll it over my tastebuds so I can "see" what is going on.

[Quoodle]

when it comes to sanitation problems - never say never :eek: and always relax and have a homebrew