Hydrometer sampling jar/test tube

[RexBanner]

Afternoon all.
So im getting a hydrometer with my kit which is nice but no sample jar.
So being the imense tight arse that I am, i wondered if a Glass test tube can be used for the same purpose? Rather than shelling out 7 quid for a new jar i could spend 2 instead (yes yes i know but things are tight atm).

Or do you have to used a standard measurement of liquid to make readings?

 

[TartanSpecial]

Wilko do a plastic 100ml measuring cylinder for £2:50..that's what I use. You need something fairly tall to accommodate the hydrometer, esp at end of fermentation when it sinks the most. A big 10inch 1inch wide test tube would work if that's the type you have (test it with water)

http://www.wilko.com/homebrew-accessories+equipment/wilko-plastic-jar/invt/0022576

 

[Clint]

Get down to Wilko they got a plastic one for a couple of quid. ..when there check if they got any offers..get brewing sugar,a couple of packets of Gervin yeast and a spare packet of airlock. ...all handy spares!

Cheers

Clint

 

[terrym]

Or just lower your sanitised hydrometer into your brew like I do.
Take the reading and remove.
Job done. :thumb:

 

[TartanSpecial]

Or just lower your sanitised hydrometer into your brew like I do.
Take the reading and remove.
Job done. :thumb:

I have to admit that's what I do at the start of the fermentation. I guess I only started using a measuring cylinder when got my SS conical which has a sampling valve, so only open the fermenter up when its time to bottle.

 

[Hoppyland]

Yep, I'm another who drops the hydrometer into the FV. I find 2 disadvantages:
Firstly, because you're looking down and at an angle, you can't get a precise reading.
Secondly, if there's a lot of yeast and crap floating and covering the beer then obviously you can't get a reading at all.

I live with the first problem by not bothering too much about exactitude with the OG or FG, and by using a good-quality glass hydrometer, which has well spaced-out divisions. the one I use is similar to this, which makes getting a pretty good reading quite easy, even if you've got to do a bit of guessing where the meniscus is! :

http://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/index.php?_a=viewProd&productId=356

The second problem has never been an issue for me. I'm not one for looking or fiddling with the brew at regular intervals, and I just do a quick check, when fermentation seems to have finished, that I'm somewhere in the right region and things haven't stuck.

This has always worked well for me, but I just don't seem to get stuck or difficult fermentations. I put this down to pretty tight temperature control, and the fact I always use similar British ale yeasts (Brewlab slopes) which I believe to be more reliable than most others.

 

[Tomcat]

Glass flower vase from Ikea if one near you £2 perfect as it has a wide flat base and hydrometer fits perfect - http://www.ikea.com/gb/en/products/decoration/vases-bowls/tajt-vase-clear-glass-art-10067655/

 

[geigercntr]

Or use the plastic tube that yr hydrometer comes in. I brew small batches so every ml counts :)

 

[RichardM]

When you are in Wilko buy a spare hydrometer. The one that came with the kit will roll off the work top and break just as you want to use it

 

[Kveik Freak]

When you are in Wilko buy a spare hydrometer. The one that came with the kit will roll off the work top and break just as you want to use it

Came here to say this. It's as inevitable as night follows day. The wilko hydrometer is fine. If the liquid you're measuring isn't boiling you can sanitise the hydrometer and bob the whole thing provided that you can still read the scale.