trial jars

[beermonkey007]

Just a newbie question...

Do you have to use a trial jar? Or can you just pop a sterilised hydrometer into the FV?

Thanks in advance :

 

[31bb3]

you can drop it in the fv as long as its sterile

 

[PD]

better with a trial jar and a turkey baster from supermarket to collect wort for testing.

 

[31bb3]

trial jar is more accurate

 

[Dr Mike]

+1

You can't really line up your eye level with the surface to read off when it's sat in a fermenter. Even reading accurately in a trial jar can be tricky once you get bubbles sticking to the hydrometer or for dark beers.

 

[Gayle]

If you do get a trial jar (and they're more essential if you ever decide to make anything in a demijohn), watch out for some of the plastic versions which are too short to get a proper reading!

 

[morethanworts]

Another option is a wine thief, which can both extract the sample and hold the hydrometer. Mine is a little narrow though, and the hydrometer sticks to the side easily. It's good for sterility though and I always get a decent reading in the end.

 

[rpt]

I have a tap on my fermenter which makes taking a sample so much easier than a turkey baster, especially as I now brew in a fridge and I'm not sure I could get the baster in very easily. Also saves having to take the lid off. My hydrometer came with a trial jar but it was too big so I bought a much smaller one from Wilkinson. Now only waste 100ml for each sample. I fill it up and drop the hydrometer in (I put the trial jar in a bowl to catch the overspill), blow off any foam and give it a spin. Much easier to read this way.

 

[beermonkey007]

Thanks all I will add one to my shopping list. :

 

[tommillski]

better with a trial jar and a turkey baster from supermarket to collect wort for testing.

+1 for this. Very cheap, widely available and easy to keep sanitised. Much better than dunking the trial jar and hand in

 

[winelight]

Well a hydrometer is not essential anyway. But if you do use one, dropping it into the FV is fine. How accurate do you really need to be?

To get the wort out into a trial jar if you do use one, the easiest way is a soup ladle. Just put it in boiling water for 10 mins first.