In the case of beer brewing, we are measuring how much sugar is in the solution. The more sugar that is in the solution, the higher the hydrometer will float. As sugar is turned into alcohol during the fermentation, the hydrometer will slowly sink lower in the solution. When fermentation is finished, the hydrometer will stop sinking.
Why would I use a hydrometer, when I can just taste my beer and make sure it is not sweet? With our refills and many of our recipes, tasting is a fine way to determine the completion of fermentation, however, with recipes, especially those containing non-fermentable sweeteners like lactose sugar, using a hydrometer can help you to determine if your beer is fully fermented despite the remaining sweet taste.
How do I use my hydrometer? Place a sample of the liquid to be tested into the hydrometer testing tube and lower the hydrometer into the sample. Ideally, you want to add enough beer to your sample tube, that when the hydrometer is added, the fluid level fills up the tube almost completely. Spin the hydrometer to eliminate any air bubbles that might cling to the side of the hydrometer. Once the Hydrometer stops moving, take your first reading from the gravity scale. Make sure it is not clinging to the tube itself. In beer making, the first reading is often called the Original Gravity Reading, which implies it was taken prior to the onset of fermentation and before the addition of any yeast.
How do I determine if fermentation in fermenter is finished? When fermentation stops, usually activity within the fermenter is no longer visible and your wort will smell like beer. This is the time to take a final hydrometer reading and record it on your recipe or log sheet. If you are unsure if fermentation is over, you can use your Hydrometer to test. Take two readings 1–2 days apart. If the reading drops between the two days, you still have an active fermentation.
Does the temperature of my sample affect my reading? YES. Typically, hydrometers are calibrated to give an accurate reading at approximately 68 F. This means that if the temperature of the liquid being tested is something other than 68 F, the Temperature Correction must be considered when determining the accurate gravity reading.
How do I determine the alcohol percentage of my beer? The most accurate way to determine alcohol percentage by volume in beer is to make an Original Gravity reading and Final Gravity reading. Then plug those numbers into the following formula:
(Original Gravity Reading) - (Final Gravity Reading) x (131) = % Alcohol Content by volume.
Example: 1.073 was the Original Gravity reading and 1.012 is the Final Gravity reading.: 1.073-1.012=.06 x 131 = 7.99% Alc. By Vol
Hope it works for you!
Tiantai beer company is complete one-stop beer brewery equipment manufacturer and servicer in China. Beer brewery equipment, cider making equipment, kombucha fermenting equipment, hard seltzer fermenting equipment, brehwouse, fermenter unitank, brite tank, etc. Any further questions please contact with us by email.
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