Hydrometer and PET bottle questions

[Chrisnewton]

Hi all

I have finally taken the plunge and bought a hydrometer, I have never used one of these things before so please excuse if this seems a daft question.

When I put it into my fermenter if it settles in the yellow bottle section does this mean it's OK to bottle? (see attached pic)

Also whilst I was buying the hydrometer I noticed that they were selling 24 pet bottles and caps for £10. I have always used glass bottles and just curious if these are any good? Do they last a long time or can you only use them a few times?

Thanks all View attachment uploadfromtaptalk1457622006259.jpg

 

[simon12]

You bottle when your final gravity is reached (best practice check its the same for 3 days or wait at least 2 weeks and assume its done) which will normally be around the 10 mark on that but could be as high as the 20. The PET bottles are fine for using multiple times.

 

[MyQul]

Have a look at terrym's hydrometer guide

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=60895

 

[Johnf]

I normally take readings and once Ive 3 in a row and theres no drop I bottle. I take my beer out of the fv with a sterile turkey baster or if it has a tap Ill pour a test sample into my trial jar. Its easier to get a reading. Make sure your hydrometer is sterile if your dropping it into the fv.
I have pet bottles but the jury is out on them.

 

[brumbrew]

Best part about a trial jar is that you can also taste the beer to see how it's doing. ;-)

 

[Chrisnewton]

Thanks I am still a bit confused but i guess I'll learn as I use it... So what's the deal with the pet bottles? No good?

 

[brumbrew]

I just scavenge plastic bottles from folk at work, neighbours etc, never paid for em yet ;-)

Hydrometer isn't that hard once you've clocked it. It goes up by .002 increments.

Not all beers will make it to the 1.000 mark though so don't be to worried. Many finish near the 1.014 ish point.

I find YouTube is always the best at explaining things, as we can write it down, but to watch someone I find is easier.

 

[terrym]

I use 2 litre clear PET water bottles ex cheap sparkling water from Tesco. They are fine, but I chuck them out after about 3/4 uses since I have noticed the internal surface becomes degraded or a stain builds up from the yeast or the beer. Either way they get ditched if they don't look right. If you are buying brown PET it will be more difficult to do a check like wot I do.

 

[brumbrew]

If you have no shame (like me) go out on bin/recycling day and rifle through the neighbours bins. I love the 1 litre tonic bottles as its a pint for me and a pint for a friend. Or just another for me ;-)

Pouring from a two litre normally needs a pitcher as you will disturb the yeast at the bottom of the bottle.

Different shaped bottles give different results too. Anyone else noticed this?

I've had swing tops, PET and found a mini keg just cycling round the neighbourhood on bin day ;-)

 

[terrym]

If you have no shame (like me) go out on bin/recycling day and rifle through the neighbours bins. I love the 1 litre tonic bottles as its a pint for me and a pint for a friend. Or just another for me ;-)
I've had swing tops, PET and found a mini keg just cycling round the neighbourhood on bin day ;-)

I'm beginning to wonder........:whistle:

 

[MickDundee]

I have some PET bottles that I got with my starter kit. They were fine but I preferred the beer out of the glass bottles I had. It might be psychological but I try to use glass as much as I can now!

 

[brumbrew]

Lol no, I'm a big boy, but terrified of horses.

But where there's muck there's brass. Or at least PET and the odd swing top ;-)

 

[Halfacrem]

Thanks I am still a bit confused but i guess I'll learn as I use it... So what's the deal with the pet bottles? No good?

Many brewers use the Coopers PET bottles. They are cheap, reusuable and they are quite handy for checking how the beer is conditioning as they firm up when carbonation occurs.

My personal experience with them is not good as I never got decent carbonation with them, so I ended up chucking them and I use glass swing tops now and love them. Other brewers are more than happy with PET bottles.

 

[brumbrew]

Don't know about carb levels, but glass just seems to deliver a better pint. Imo

Anyone else observe this also?

 

[MickDundee]

Don't know about carb levels, but glass just seems to deliver a better pint. Imo

Anyone else observe this also?

Me at post #11

 

[Chrisnewton]

I just scavenge plastic bottles from folk at work, neighbours etc, never paid for em yet ;-)

Hydrometer isn't that hard once you've clocked it. It goes up by .002 increments.

Not all beers will make it to the 1.000 mark though so don't be to worried. Many finish near the 1.014 ish point.

I find YouTube is always the best at explaining things, as we can write it down, but to watch someone I find is easier.

That's what confuses me it says in instructions do not bottle before 1.006 as bottles might burst

 

[Halfacrem]

Don't know about carb levels, but glass just seems to deliver a better pint. Imo

Anyone else observe this also?

Yes, a much better pint in my book. I never had decent carbonation in my PET bottles, but have never had a problem with glass. I've also never heard anyone else complain about the same problem, so I don't know what was going on. Anyway, all in the past now as they were binned a while back

 

[brumbrew]

That's what confuses me it says in instructions do not bottle before 1.006 as bottles might burst

This might be a h&s clause. Dam them!!!

I've bottled over 1.006 many times. No problems. I do however, like many inspect bottles before re using them. Funny hair lines, Discoloration inside etc. For PET

For glass, rubber seals, hold bottle up to the light to look for stress fractures, I have one bottle I need to take a photo of, it has an inch by half elepitical bubble in the side wall. :-(

 

[Johnf]

That's what confuses me it says in instructions do not bottle before 1.006 as bottles might burst

If the FG hasnt moved for 3 days, and you prime as per instructions and do not add extra priming suger you will be ok. Im not saying that no bottles will explode but itll lesson the chance of it happening. I usedto put my charged bottles into a square plastic tub just incase. Im now confident with my measures and technique I dont bother anymore.

 

[simon12]

I have used glass and PET bottles on the same batches and never noticed a difference, I think if your storing it for a long time it could. The instructions that say don't bottle above 1.006 what are they on? If its kit instructions they know the kit should end at that gravity if the instructions are followed exactly.