Taking a sample for checking gravity

[tron]

Hi,

In my starter kit i have a sample tube, how do people fill this? first time i just dunked it in (it was sterile) but is there a better way?
My larger(Coopers Australian) started at 1053 and is now at 1010 after 4 days, sound about right?
Its been pretty constant at 22 degrees.

 

[31bb3]

you can buy a thief or the cheaper option is a turkey baster suck it up and squirt it in

 

[Sean_Mc]

I used to syphon with a meter of tubing, now I use a turkey baster

 

[tron]

ahh gotcha, good idea :

 

[31bb3]

only about a quid from wilkos :thumb:

 

[cwrw]

OR when next buying a fermenting vessel,consider a vessel with a pre-fitted tap....it's served me well in this regards :grin:

 

[jamesb]

OR when next buying a fermenting vessel,consider a vessel with a pre-fitted tap....it's served me well in this regards :grin:

Or fit a tap to the existing one. It's as easy as cutting a hole.

 

[Jack Hackett]

you could leave the hydrometer in the brew and take your readings from it as it floats there merrily many of us do..

 

[Sparkz]

To be honest I wouldnt think the syphon would essentially even need to be sterile when syphoning. (of course the turkey baster idea is probably the best)

Clearly you only really check the gravity when you think the beer is possibly ready so the majority of the fermenting process would be complete anyway.

Obviously if you were going to pour the beer back in that would be a different story but its best to just drink it or pour it away when you do the gravity reading.

as for your reading so far... according to an alcohol calculator (http://www.hopandgrain.com/~alcoholcalculator.aspx) it makes it 5.64% which is probably good for larger. If its the same in a few days and has stopped bubbling then phase 2 is ready to begin

 

[Moley]

Another vote for the turkey baster, unless you can get hold of a large syringe.

On no account should you ever return a test sample to the fermenter :nono:
You will upset Bacchus (a.k.a. Dionysus) and your brew is guaranteed to be ruined.
To placate the Gods you must drink the test sample :drink:

Occasionally, a retest may be necessary :drink: :drink:

PS:
Lager - a type of light coloured beer.
Larger - bigger.

 

[simonb_13]

Not sure how common this is but I collect a sample after I've pitched the yeast with a Sanitised sample tube of course. I then pour that sample into a clean beer bottle, plug the top with kitchen roll and keep it with the FV.

When I want to sample the gravity, I empty the contents of the bottle into the sample tube, test it and put it back in the bottle. I then put the bottle back with the FV. No sanitising during this as it doesn't go back into the FV.

Not an exact science but it does give me a good indication of SG without having to disturb the FV.

Saw it on a YouTube clip.

 

[corby_brewer]

Another vote here for the turkey baster. :thumb:
Altho all my FV's are fitted with tap, i always use the baster for getting samples. :

 

[Aleman]

PS:
Lager - a type of light coloured beer.
Larger - bigger.

Not Quite
Lager - A (normally Continental) beer that has been stored.

 

[corby_brewer]

PS:
Lager - a type of light coloured beer.
Larger - bigger.

Not Quite
Lager - A (normally Continental) beer that has been stored.

Lager (German: storage) is a type of beer that is brewed using bottom-fermenting yeast at lower temperatures and for longer durations than those typically used to brew ales. In German, the term "lager" refers to storing a beer at cool temperatures and does not necessarily imply bottom-fermentation. Pilsner, Bock, Dortmunder Export and Märzen are all styles of lager.

Pale lager is the most widely-consumed and commercially available style of beer in the world. There are also dark lagers, such as Dunkel and Schwarzbier.

 

[jamesb]

Lager - A (normally Continental) beer that has been stored.

Theoretically.

 

[cwrw]

"LAGER" a word often described when involved in a pissing contest......how far can you go? :lol:
...just enjoy!

 

[Global33]

Silly question but what search term to people use on eBay to find them. I used a 250ml glass measuring cylinder, but half pint is a fair bit of wastage and my 100ml one isn't deep enough. Looked on home brew sites, but I've ordered loads recently and often the postage adds up if you just want a small item.

 

[Gunge]

PS:
Lager - a type of light coloured beer.
Larger - bigger.

I'm glad that someone has finally pointed this out - was really starting to do my nut.

 

[Dutto]

OR when next buying a fermenting vessel,consider a vessel with a pre-fitted tap....it's served me well in this regards :grin:

Personally, I can't recommend a tap on an FV.

I consider a tap to be a source of infection, with a potential to leak, on a vessel that sits in a warm environment for a minimum of two weeks.

No thank-you. :nono: :nono: :nono:

The photo is of the tap off my bottling bucket not an FV.

 

[ElvisIsBeer]

I have a stainless steel ladle, which I meticulously sterilise. It happens to scoop up exactly the right amount of brew for my tube. Test it. Drink it. Unless it's hideously full of flotsam after dry hopping.

Actually, I'd still drink it.