Hi,
I've just put down my first ever batch but am wondering about how to use a hydrometer to tell when my beer is fermented and what else I should/could be using my hydrometer for.
If anyone can provide any help that would be great.
Cheers
Jon
Hydrometers
this link should help you: http://www.countrybrewer.com.au/webcontent35.htm
beer never tells me it's not in the mood.
-----------------------------------------------
PRIMARY:
SECONDARY: autumn ale
BOTTLED: honey wheat ale, first lager
-----------------------------------------------
PRIMARY:
SECONDARY: autumn ale
BOTTLED: honey wheat ale, first lager
Hi jon117,
One thing I learned very quickly is to look after your hydrometer(s). They are fragile instruments.
Dropped one into the sink (a drop of about a whole centimetre), and one little crack rendered it useless. Took a little more care after that. Never put one in the sink again, but rinsed and put in plastic tube.
But lo! In my sometimes slap happy manner, the hydro would be dropped into the tube. Only a 1 or 2 cm drop. But yes, you have probably already guessed. After a few successful storage procedures, the cap on the bottom of the tube gave way, & hydro plummeted to floor and became a mass of glass splinters!
Replacement hydro & storage tube immediately got the treatment. Bottom cap painted black (or any colour you prefer), and SUPER GLUED into tube.
That was a few months ago, and no probs ever since.
Nothing else to say, as steve_n's link tells you just about everything else. Don't get concerned about temperature of wort or beer you are testing. Any difference in hydrometer reading can not be detected by the human eye.
Remember, your hydrometer will reveal to you things that your airlock won't!
One thing I learned very quickly is to look after your hydrometer(s). They are fragile instruments.
Dropped one into the sink (a drop of about a whole centimetre), and one little crack rendered it useless. Took a little more care after that. Never put one in the sink again, but rinsed and put in plastic tube.
But lo! In my sometimes slap happy manner, the hydro would be dropped into the tube. Only a 1 or 2 cm drop. But yes, you have probably already guessed. After a few successful storage procedures, the cap on the bottom of the tube gave way, & hydro plummeted to floor and became a mass of glass splinters!
Replacement hydro & storage tube immediately got the treatment. Bottom cap painted black (or any colour you prefer), and SUPER GLUED into tube.
That was a few months ago, and no probs ever since.
Nothing else to say, as steve_n's link tells you just about everything else. Don't get concerned about temperature of wort or beer you are testing. Any difference in hydrometer reading can not be detected by the human eye.
Remember, your hydrometer will reveal to you things that your airlock won't!
Cheers,
Pacman
Pacman