hydrometer reading

[sam c]

if i take a sample of my beer or tc to take a reading in the sample jar, can i add it back to the brew or should i throw it away?

the thing is that i only used 4 litres of apple juice in my 5 litre dj and if i put the hydrometer in there it will just sink to the bottom and i cant there for take a reading. i tested this by filling an empty dj with water so the reading would be 1.000 i guess but the hydrometer is too long in only 4 litres. i dont want to waste any of my tc or beer!!

[kenny850]

you could always drink it Sam-gives you an idea how your brew is progressing

[sam c]

you could always drink it Sam-gives you an idea how your brew is progressing

yer but its my first time brewing so i will probally test it a few times and i've only got 4 litres of the tc. or should i just wait untill the bubbles have stopped and then take a reading to check if its finished? also -pitched the yeast 17hrs ago into my HB lager. nice big crust but no bubbles passing through the air lock. problem? thanks for the previous reply kenny.

[Lillywhite]

Content deleted in accordance with forum rules.

[sam c]

Content deleted in accordance with forum rules.:

that is me. been using both forums

[Dill]

Just make sure that you sanitise your test jar and hydrometer first and then take your reading and return the sample back to your brew. If you wish to taste, just leave some in the test jar and taste that, but either drink it all or throw it away.

I know some people recommend that you throw all your sample away but I never have and my brews have never suffered, just make sure everything is sanitised and you should be O.K

[sam c]

thank dill.will make sure its really clean and do as you said.

[brysie]

hi sam

i had a similar thing with my coopers lager not pushing any bubbles through the airlock.
i was certain the vessel was airtight and not a single bubble in a week. however one of the helpful fellows on here [ think it was chris or sparky paul] said that if you have a nice frothy head in the fermenter then something must be happening, and they were right.

bottled it last week and it seemed fine. the gas was escaping from somewhere but im blowed if i could find out where from.

[sam c]

thanks everyone. was just worried as its my first brew. i will just let it do its thing now. thanks again

just checked it and its bubbling away like mad!!!dont know what was going on!!