Oh dear ive gone and done it now!!

1867_owl · Apr 20, 2012

"so if I'm reading this right (and feel free to correct me if I'm not), the hydrometer snapped, and then you fished out the broken parts, and the bottom bit, with perhaps lead shot, mercury, whatever, was still intact - the break was further up, yes?"

Yes this is precisely what happened. It was daft to stir the mix with the hydrometer but i wasnt thinking clearly and it happened to be in my hand at the time :-( . My main concern was obviously the threat of lead/mercury poisoning, but inspecting the hydrometer i can clearly see that the lead shot is safely sealed under (what i now know to be) a harmless layer of wax. These fears allayed, i was hoping that someone could come up with a solution to the broken glass problem that those posters good enough to read my comments in full helped me with. It's true that i'm clearly more determined to save the batch than the obvious consensus of posters on here would be given that i'm skint as fook and this would be my second brewing failure in a row.

I'm sorry of ive upset the delicate sensibilities of some posters on here and do appreciate the concern that you are all showing for my health. You must understand that i was only hoping that one of you would come up with an answer like .... 'dont worry, something similar happened to me once and there is a simple solution which is......' for example my suggestion of passing the beer through a tight weave filter (which i now understand to be harmful to my beer).

Thanks again everyone.

Swift Pint · Apr 20, 2012

I'm pretty clumsy so I've been there a few times with hydrometers and thermometers too. Theres nothing more frustrating than brewing all day and then breaking the hydrometer in the FV and having to chuck it all. Its sucks big time, but IMO its not worth it.

Make sure you observe a moments silence when you tip it, I sometimes stand to attention too out of respect. Sad times.

pittsy · Apr 20, 2012

i broke a thermometer while using it to mix in my mash tun while finding the temp , bad times , i thought i'd gotten over it until you all reminded me of it ........ think i'll go off to the corner to wipe my tears away now :cry: :shock:

graysalchemy · Apr 20, 2012

1867_owl said:
You must understand that i was only hoping that one of you would come up with an answer like .... 'dont worry, something similar happened to me once and there is a simple solution which is......'

We are usually full of reassurance however some situations cannot be resolved. However I do see where Aleman is coming from and is probably the most experienced brewer. However I like a lot of people on here were probably brought up that eating glass was a no no.

Do as you will be please don't insult us and perhaps treat the forum with a little more respect, if you don't people won't respond to your posts and you will be stuck with out an answer looking for another forum.

:thumb:

evanvine · Apr 20, 2012

graysalchemy said:
if you don't people won't respond to your posts and you will be stuck with out an answer looking for another forum.

Don't worry 1867_owl, I'll talk to you!

Swift Pint · Apr 20, 2012

pittsy said:
i broke a thermometer while using it to mix in my mash tun while finding the temp , bad times , i thought i'd gotten over it until you all reminded me of it ........ think i'll go off to the corner to wipe my tears away now :cry: :shock:

Sorry to bring back the bad memories Pittsy. I've done that myself, thought I'd found a way around the problem by investing in an electric thermometer and probe.... until I dropped the whole think in the mash tun. It didnt work after that.