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Returning wort sample to carboy

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by SaintBenedict, Mar 31, 2012.

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  1. SaintBenedict

    SaintBenedict Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Hi, I read several opinions on another homebrewing board that wort samples taken for hydrometer readings should not be returned to the carboy. However, I'm using Brooklyn Brewshop's one gallon starter kit and I'm afraid that removing the amount needed to float the hydrometer will be significant; it is only a gallon carboy after all. Has anyone had luck returning the wort sample to a one gallon glass fermenter? Or, is it best to avoid doing so all together?

    Another option seems to be taking the reading in the pot as it cools down. My concern is that if I've lost too much liquid during the process, I would need to add additional water to the carboy to bring me to a full gallon. If this is the case, wouldn't this make the reading that I take in the pot during the cool down stage essentially useless? Or, at least not very accurate?

    Thanks in advance from a very green aspiring homebrewer.
     
    #1 SaintBenedict, Mar 31, 2012
  2. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    For a batch size that small you have a valid concern. The solution is a refractometer in my opinion.
     
    #2 koopa, Mar 31, 2012
  3. SaintBenedict

    SaintBenedict Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2009 Pennsylvania

    From what I can tell (as this is all new to me), using a refractometer seems like it might be the ticket. Looks like I would only need a few drops from the wort, right? Am I correct in assuming that I only need the same when fermentation is complete?

    Thanks, btw, for the suggestion.
     
    #3 SaintBenedict, Mar 31, 2012
  4. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    Yeah refractometers only take a few drops to give you a gravity reading. Just make sure to get one that does Automatic Temperature Correction (ATC) and remember to wait at least 30 seconds after putting the drops onto the refractometer and closing the slide cover before doing the reading, as it takes that much time for the ATC to work.
     
    #4 koopa, Mar 31, 2012
  5. SaintBenedict

    SaintBenedict Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Great. I'll definitely get one with ATC. Thanks for the tips.
     
    #5 SaintBenedict, Mar 31, 2012
  6. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,055) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Be aware that you'll need to use a special calculator when using a refractometer. The one that I think is the best can be downloaded here...

    Edit: Correct Link Here...
    http://seanterrill.com/2011/04/07/refractometer-fg-results/
     
    #6 VikeMan, Mar 31, 2012
  7. SaintBenedict

    SaintBenedict Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Appreciate the link. Interestingly enough, when I called the local homebrew supply shop to inquire about returning the hydrometer I just purchased (which, btw, was OK with them), the salesperson at the store assured me that as long as I have sanitized everything properly (carboy, stopper, hydrometer, test jar, hands, etc.) adding the test wort back in the carboy shouldn't be an issue. Considering that it's only a gallon, and my first batch, I might just give it a go. Besides, they just sold the last refractometer in stock. :slight_frown:
     
    #7 SaintBenedict, Mar 31, 2012
  8. dpjosuns

    dpjosuns Initiate (0) Dec 8, 2009 Illinois

    Yeah man, I've wondered about that as well, and I wouldn't fret it too much so long as your cleaning is SPOT FREEKING ON. For my part though: missing a little beer is much better than getting an infection- so I would not add it back. In order to get an idea you're not adding extra wort to the reading, drop the hydro in water in the test tube to get an idea of how much wort you need in the tube to get a good reading without hitting the bottom. Then remove the hydro and mark the tube. Boom, you have a fill-line. That way you wont have to put in any more than necessary.
     
    #8 dpjosuns, Mar 31, 2012
  9. VikeMan

    VikeMan Grand Pooh-Bah (3,055) Jul 12, 2009 Pennsylvania
    Pooh-Bah

    Personally, I never return samples to the fermenter, but lots of people do. I have no idea if they have a statistically higher incidence of infection, but I like to play it safe.
     
    #9 VikeMan, Mar 31, 2012
  10. SaintBenedict

    SaintBenedict Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Funny you should mention it, as I just finished doing that. Looks like I need about 8 oz. of wort to float the hydrometer safely. That's a significant amount for a gallon batch. Just hate to lose that much, though I understand the concerns of infection. However, I wonder if I will actually need less wort when it actually comes down to it considering that the sugar in the wort will make the hydrometer sit higher in the test jar.
     
    #10 SaintBenedict, Mar 31, 2012
  11. SaintBenedict

    SaintBenedict Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2009 Pennsylvania

    All of this is reminding why I didn't do very well in science class. Haha. Just learning about taking gravity readings is making my head spin. :slight_smile:
     
    #11 SaintBenedict, Mar 31, 2012
  12. SaintBenedict

    SaintBenedict Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2009 Pennsylvania

    Speaking of hydrometers, the test jar for mine came with a sticker that has temps in both fahrenheit and celsius. Unfortunately, there aren't any directions for its application. I'm guessing that it's temperature sensitive and that I apply it to the outside of the test jar. Is this pretty standard?
     
    #12 SaintBenedict, Mar 31, 2012
  13. kjyost

    kjyost Initiate (0) May 4, 2008 Canada (MB)

    I don't know what you have, but hydrometers do need to be temperature corrected to 60F. I've never seen that before.
     
    #13 kjyost, Mar 31, 2012
  14. SaintBenedict

    SaintBenedict Initiate (0) Nov 10, 2009 Pennsylvania

    I plan on taking the temp of the wort before I pour it into the carboy. So, I was just going to use that to correct for the proper hydrometer reading.
     
    #14 SaintBenedict, Mar 31, 2012
  15. koopa

    koopa Initiate (0) Apr 20, 2008 New Jersey

    #15 koopa, Mar 31, 2012
  16. dgs

    dgs Initiate (0) Jul 18, 2005 Pennsylvania

    Perhaps another option is a hydrometer which requires a smaller sample. I found this locally quite a while ago after breaking my original and my LHBS was closed. It's cheap, works, and only requires about 4 oz.

    http://www.petco.com/product/9183/Petco-Aquarium-Hydrometer-with-Thermometer.aspx

    Note that it's only marked up to 1.060, but you can probably estimate out to 1.070. The thermometer is a bonus.
     
    #16 dgs, Mar 31, 2012
  17. billandsuz

    billandsuz Pooh-Bah (2,085) Sep 1, 2004 New York
    Pooh-Bah

    this is one more reason why the Brooklyn one gallon kit is more or less a waste. imo.
    true, it works, and it makes beer, and from what i can tell it looks like it will make acceptable homebrew. but the drawbacks are significant.

    some folks will be put off because enjoying the hobby is an individual taste. however, save your money. don't buy a refractometer. put the money towards a proper 5 gallon starter kit. you are just trying to put a band aid on the obvious problem. if you decide that homebrewing is a worthwhile way to blow a few hours now and again, ditch the one gallon kit and do it right. you will be surprised how quickly 5 gallons can be enjoyed. same effort. endless recipe options. about the same cost as the proprietary kits too.
    Cheers.
     
    #17 billandsuz, Mar 31, 2012
    bgjohnston likes this.
  18. dgs

    dgs Initiate (0) Jul 18, 2005 Pennsylvania

    I guess it depends on a number of things and how you want to brew. I started extract brewing, like most homebrewers do, I believe. Nothing wrong with extract, but I wish I would have jumped the all-grain hurdle a lot earlier, or even from the beginning. The smaller approach enables that.
     
    #18 dgs, Mar 31, 2012
  19. Longstaff

    Longstaff Initiate (0) May 23, 2002 Massachusetts

    Imo 3 gals. is the smallest amount that is worthwhile to brew.
     
    #19 Longstaff, Mar 31, 2012
    billandsuz likes this.
  20. MrGreengenes2

    MrGreengenes2 Initiate (0) Aug 9, 2008 Indiana

    For my 2 cents, I always return the samples to the fermenter, though an oz goes into my shot glass for tasting. I like to taste and check often. Although this is with a 5 gallon batch, and I am pretty meticulous about my cleaning/sanitizing.
     
    #20 MrGreengenes2, Mar 31, 2012
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