Recent content by pdickerson76

Yeah I was referring to seeing them at all. When I do a reading I have to look and stare for a few moments before I can focus on the hydrometer in the test tube.

True, but I think it would be really hard to see those tiny slashes between 1.010 and 1.020.

Did a gravity test this morning and it's sitting at 1.014. I'd call that done. Krausen has still not dropped out either 🤦‍♂️

I like the straining idea. I'll go that route!

I use a wine thief so I'll have to go through it to get to the beer. That's where my concern is. I usually have to pull 3 different times to get enough in the hydrometer testing tube.

Thanks again for being so helpful. I peeked again this morning and the krausen still hasn't dropped. I'm not really worried about it, just more curious as to where the gravity is sitting. I'm new to all of this, trying to learn the ropes again after not brewing for 5 years, so still a little...

Really appreciate all this knowledge you shared. After continued research and reading your post I assumed that my low temps were a cause for the sluggish start. I did bump temps to 68 yesterday afternoon so I guess we will see where that takes it. I just hope that the slower fermentation doesn't...

Yeah, I was not too happy with the delayed shipment. Live and learn I guess. It's a 3 hour drive one way for me to hit up a HB shop so ordering was the best option. My purpose for this brew was a quick turn around for a fermentation, something that could be kegged up quickly. I'm guessing...

I have been having issues with my brews lately. Under pitched 2 different brews so I felt a starter was the way to go. I chilled it down to separate the wort from yeast. In the morning I dumped off the wort and let it sit at room temp about 5 hours before it was pitched.

I was considering bumping up temps to 68 but I don't want a banana bomb. That's why I chose the low end.

I honestly didn't record the date of the yeast but here's the story. I ordered all my ingredients and yeast on a Sunday night. It didn't ship till the following Friday afternoon. The yeast sat in a UPS terminal till it was delivered on Tuesday. I contacted the brew supply company and told...

So I'm confused. I've done a lot of research before brewing my Hefeweizen. It seems like everyone has a fast and furious fermentation with this yeast. I brewed Friday morning, pitched yeast at noon. Og was 1.055. Made a 1.3L starter. I've had no vigorous fermentation. This pic was taken 5...

It is brand new as of mid May. I do not think it is broken. I calibrated it prior to first use but I will be doing that before each use from now on. Still not exactly sure on how to get an accurate FG reading on it, or I don't understand the conversion process. Yeah, I am in no way against using...

I took a sample last night with a hydrometer and got 1.020 which is pretty close to what I was expecting. I now know to never use a refractometer for FG testing. What a relief.

I punched in those same numbers on a calculator and got the same results. Way too low. I need to find me a Turkey baster like you speak of. I currently use a wine thief in my car boy. I think I should start using buckets for the ease of testing but I enjoy watching the action.