First, I wasn't sure if this belonged in Brew Science or Fermentation as it is directly related to Fermentation.
Here's the situation.
A few weeks ago I brewed a DIPA. This is also my first brew using my new refractometer. Post boil I had a gravity reading of 1.07 with my calibrated refractometer.
At 10 days I had a gravity reading of 1.02 with the same refractometer. I added 1.5# of sugar, a week later it was at 1.035. I checked every couple of days the same way. Gravity never changed. I freaked out thinking I had a stuck fermentation that was way too high.
I had read that amylase would drop it. So I said "What the hey, I'll do anything!" so I added it in the directed manner. It was 1.5 Teaspoons per 5 gallons. Which in a few days dropped it to 1.031. Where it's stayed.
After adding the amylase I got a feeling that I acted too hastily. Not enough research prior to action. After actually researching, I now KNOW I did.
I've since learned that alcohol makes the reading on the refractometer unreliable. So I dusted off my hydrometer, calibrated it then took a reading.... the gravity read 1.003... OOPS!
What's the best way to reliably use refractometer readings for post fermentation readings?
Here's the situation.
A few weeks ago I brewed a DIPA. This is also my first brew using my new refractometer. Post boil I had a gravity reading of 1.07 with my calibrated refractometer.
At 10 days I had a gravity reading of 1.02 with the same refractometer. I added 1.5# of sugar, a week later it was at 1.035. I checked every couple of days the same way. Gravity never changed. I freaked out thinking I had a stuck fermentation that was way too high.
I had read that amylase would drop it. So I said "What the hey, I'll do anything!" so I added it in the directed manner. It was 1.5 Teaspoons per 5 gallons. Which in a few days dropped it to 1.031. Where it's stayed.
After adding the amylase I got a feeling that I acted too hastily. Not enough research prior to action. After actually researching, I now KNOW I did.
I've since learned that alcohol makes the reading on the refractometer unreliable. So I dusted off my hydrometer, calibrated it then took a reading.... the gravity read 1.003... OOPS!
What's the best way to reliably use refractometer readings for post fermentation readings?