New to hydrometer

[cask is best]

Hi All.

Just started a Coopers Lager and decided to take a og reading the reading was 1.030. I'm newish to using a hydrometer i say newish because years ago i did do the odd one. Now i just make the beer wait for it to ferment and enjoy but I've often wondered what the abv is that I'm drinking so i thought i would start taking the readings again. Anyway back to the question i have. Does the reading of 1.030 sound about right or have i read it wrong.

Cheers :

 

[JagCrusher]

Hi,
Is it the 'standard' Lager kit (i.e. not 'European')? And how much sugar did you add?

...or have i read it wrong.

Just in case, have a read of this thread... How to use your hydrometer.

 

[evanvine]

Your reading is a little on the low side.
It may be that your wort was a little warm, use the calculator at the top left of the page!

 

[cask is best]

Hi jagcrusher it's Coopers Australian lager i used 2lb of sugar as it stated in the instructions.
Hi Evanvine the wort was a little warm as i took it imediatly the bucket was filled and befor the yeast went in.


Thanks both for your replies.

 

[JagCrusher]

2lbs of sugar should give you an SG of around 1040 according to Coopers. Did you give the sugar, malt extract & hot water a good stir before adding the cold water? Just wondering if it had all dissolved before you measured the gravity :wha:

Have you tried calibrating your hydrometer in 20*C water to see what it reads?

 

[cask is best]

Yeh gave it a good stir so it was all dissolved. what should the gravity read in 20c of water.

 

[evanvine]

what should the gravity read in 20c of water.

In clean water at a temperature of 20C your hydrometer should read 1.000.
If for example it reads 1.002, you will need to subtract 2 gravity points from all your hydrometer readings.
On the other hand, if it reads 0.998, you will need to add 2 gravity points to all your readings.
You will need to test your hydrometer to find out what adjustments, if any, you need to make.

 

[cask is best]

Thanks for that tip Evanvine

 

[evanvine]

Thanks for that tip Evanvine

What the Forum's all about CIB. :thumb: