refractometer

[cheech226]

i'm looking at getting one. i see they are great for og, but require calculation for a true fg. i'm not interested in finding abv. but would like to avoid hydrometer wastage. if i maintained a consistent readings, say after 3 weeks in the fermenter, taken for 3 days would that indicate fermentation was over?

[mashani]

Yes, it should still work for that purpose, but after 3 weeks in the fermenter it's likely done anyway, and I wouldn't even bother if I was leaving it that long.

[Kealia]

Another suggestion to avoid hydrometer waste and multiple samples:

After you pull your hydrometer sample, continue to check that same sample. Just treat it like a mini fermenter. What I mean is, take your sample, get the reading, then remove the hydrometer from the wort/beer. Cover the tube with a piece of foil, or paper towel, then check it again a few days later. This will avoid you pulling multiple samples from the fermenter. When I was doing small batches, I tested this many times (pulling a new sample versus checking a single sample many times) and the results were always the same in terms of matching gravity.

[HerbMeowing]

i don't bother no'mo with my refractometer.
OG readings seldom jived with the hydrometer.

imo ... drawing a hydro-sample from a 2G kit to check its FG is an unnecessary waste.
as mashani notes ... most recipes be ready to bottle after 3 weeks in the fermentor ...

[bpgreen]

Another suggestion to avoid hydrometer waste and multiple samples:

After you pull your hydrometer sample, continue to check that same sample. Just treat it like a mini fermenter. What I mean is, take your sample, get the reading, then remove the hydrometer from the wort/beer. Cover the tube with a piece of foil, or paper towel, then check it again a few days later. This will avoid you pulling multiple samples from the fermenter. When I was doing small batches, I tested this many times (pulling a new sample versus checking a single sample many times) and the results were always the same in terms of matching gravity.

Genius!

In retrospect, somewhat obvious, but genius nonetheless.

[Kealia]

Another suggestion to avoid hydrometer waste and multiple samples:

After you pull your hydrometer sample, continue to check that same sample. Just treat it like a mini fermenter. What I mean is, take your sample, get the reading, then remove the hydrometer from the wort/beer. Cover the tube with a piece of foil, or paper towel, then check it again a few days later. This will avoid you pulling multiple samples from the fermenter. When I was doing small batches, I tested this many times (pulling a new sample versus checking a single sample many times) and the results were always the same in terms of matching gravity.

Genius!

In retrospect, somewhat obvious, but genius nonetheless.

Right?!?! I can't even take credit for the idea as I recall reading about it somewhere a long time ago. I had the same moment.

[berryman]

You could also use this like a low tech tilt to tract the progress along the way, would have to remove the hydro and cover to keep the wild things out, and would have to keep at the same temp as the fermenter.

[cheech226]

Another suggestion to avoid hydrometer waste and multiple samples:

After you pull your hydrometer sample, continue to check that same sample. Just treat it like a mini fermenter. What I mean is, take your sample, get the reading, then remove the hydrometer from the wort/beer. Cover the tube with a piece of foil, or paper towel, then check it again a few days later. This will avoid you pulling multiple samples from the fermenter. When I was doing small batches, I tested this many times (pulling a new sample versus checking a single sample many times) and the results were always the same in terms of matching gravity.

genius! simple and easy solution.