hydrometer

[mikee]

so the last few batches of beer I have made i have been a little annoyed that they have been finishing high. 6 to 8 points high. I thought what the heck am I doing wrong!! I thought I was making some of the wort unfermentable or something.

now i'm questioning my hydrometer - can it be calibrated? can they be that far off?

 

[baptistbrewer]

You can do a control on your hydrometer. Just put fresh water at 60 degrees and Specific Gravity should be 1.0000

 

[Yooper]

Sure, they can be way off. The slip of paper in them can slide. To check it, test it in 60 degree water and take a reading. If it's 1.000, then it's perfect. I have one that is off .002 so I just add .002 to my reading each time.

As far as FG, a lot goes into it. Yeast health and pitching rate, the strain itself, temperature, and ingredients as well as mash temp all contribute greatly. A projected FG is only as good as the recipe maker's experience.

 

[a_potter]

Way off. I had one I got from a LHBS that was 4 points off before the first time I used it. the paper had obviously slipped. I made it slip back but eventually got rid of it cuz I never trusted it again.