Hydrometer Reading

[NorthCoast]

Hi guys, 1st attempt at brewing and after 7 days in FV my reading is only 1.014, any ideas?

 

[stephen1546]

Hi. What are you brewing?, it is probably got to ferment more. My kits IPA etc usually take around 16/17 days to ensure fermentation has finished.

Cheers

Stevie

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
Give it another week.

 

[The Baron]

let us know what it is you are brewing as some brews i.e bitters are finished at 1.014 if its lager it may go lower than 1.010 and as big col says it needs leaving a week more anyway

 

[Ghillie]

Leave it for a minimum of two weeks.

IMO there's two main things to consider with FG.

Time - Depending on the ambient temperature, beer can reach FG either quickly or slowly. i.e. higher temperature = quicker fermentation; lower temperature = slower fermentation. Consistency of the aforementioned temperatures also plays a huge part.

Mash temperature (non-applicable to kits) - If you mash on the higher end of the temperature range, then your wort will contain less fermentable carbohydrates. What this means is that your FG will be slightly higher. i.e. 1.016 vs 1.009 for example. They're random numbers by the way.

The textbook approach for determining when your beer has reached FG is three consecutive gravity readings over three consecutive days. Assuming fermentation temps are consistent and correct, etc. As I'm lazy, I just leave all my brews for 2-3 weeks anyway. I have a good idea what my FG is going to be anyhow as temperatures are well controlled. So I just measure once and if the number is right, it's done.

 

[simon12]

You say it's only 1.014 just incase you don't know it should go down not up. What was it before fermentation?

 

[The Baron]

I'me exactly the same should do 3 readings but know what it should finish at with the recipe input in brewers friend (lazy and use experience)and leave for 2 weeks before kegging and check FG before kegging to make sure I have hit my numbers. But to start with follow text book until you have done a few brews

 

[NorthCoast]

Thanks for all your help folks, leaving it for another week as advised then will see what it is. its a Mangrove Jacks American Ale kit, instructions said it would take 7 days so thats what got me worried.

 

[Duxuk]

Kits always tell you that it will be ready in half the time. They must think we're desperate to get drinking it.
Which we are. Having said that time is the brewers best friend!