Gravity reading

[drewlooker]

Can I take the gravity reading straight from the fermenter or do I need to siphon it into a beaker?

 

[BrewPharm]

If sanitized hydrometer, the fermenter is fine. I use a graduated cylinder. Lets me taste it as I go.

 

[Demus]

If sanitized hydrometer, the fermenter is fine. I use a graduated cylinder. Lets me taste it as I go.

It's fine until you break one or have some other mishap. Best to use a thief or turkey baster to draw a sample to a flask. This also has the added benefit of being able to taste your progress!!

 

[woozy]

I've heard of people who simply leave a sanitized hydrometer floating permanently in the fermenter. I've never met any of these people but I've heard they exist.

'course you need a properly shaped fermenter... and you need to take all appropriate sanitation, aeration, etc. precautions...

 

[Demus]

Plus all the gunk and trub that would stick to it would throw the reading off. Not a good technique...

 

[BinghamtonEd]

I use a sanitized turkey baster to transfer a sample to a plastic graduated cylinder for testing. Takes about 4oz. Also nice to sip a sample from said cylinder after the gravity's been read.