FraserH Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Oh k so Im still very new to this but Im hoping you chaps can help. 1, All my gravities seem very low in comparison to what Ive been reading on these boards, My OG for my coopers Real Ale was 1030 and FG was 1000 and the other 2 brews Ive made have been very similar. My Lager which I have been drinking tastes great and ill be trying my Ale tomorrow night (which Im praying comes out fine). 2. Im using the Hydrometer that came with my coopers microbrew kit and it gives odd readings , for example it will read 1030 then if i give the hydrometer a tap it will drop to 1025 and if I tap it again it will change again. Is this a common problem with these or am I just doing something wrong I do tip out the first sample before taking the reading as Ive heard that the sediment will often give false readings Any wisdom would be much appreciated Fraser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Air bubbles can stick to the side of the hydrometer, giving a false reading, by tapping it to release the bubbles the reading should change. Also it is a good idea to let your sample sit for a while before you take a reading to let residual co2 escape. If you haven't yet you should test your hydrometer in water at 20C - It should read 0 if your hydrometer is working correctly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FraserH Posted July 19, 2011 Author Share Posted July 19, 2011 Thanks Muddy Ive tried it in water and it came up just under 0 so with any future readings should i just make the adjustment ie:read it as 1028 instead of 1030? Ill do another reading shortly and let it sit for a while and see what the outcome is hopefully this will sort this out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 Do you know what temp the water was? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FraserH Posted July 19, 2011 Author Share Posted July 19, 2011 I had it at about 18-19 degrees, I havent taken another sample yet as Ive been pre-occupied with the forums on here [biggrin] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Muddy Waters Posted July 19, 2011 Share Posted July 19, 2011 You'll get slightly different reading depending on the temp. The hydrometer should have come with a bit of paper with what to allow for temp difference. Or you could try an ONLINE CALCULATOR. Your hydrometer sound ok so I'm not sure why you are getting your crazy readings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FraserH Posted July 21, 2011 Author Share Posted July 21, 2011 Oh k so I bottled my Ale on the 10th July, now Im not a very patient person so I tried it last night..... well to be honest I wasnt that impressed. I know its only been 11 days or so and everybody will possibly tell me to leave it for longer, but I like to know how things are tasting as they progress After tasting it Ive decided it can quite happily sit there and age for 6 months before I start making an ambush on my stash of ale and with any luck it would have improved drastically Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2011 Share Posted July 21, 2011 Oh k so I bottled my Ale on the 10th July, now Im not a very patient person so I tried it last night..... well to be honest I wasnt that impressed. I know its only been 11 days or so and everybody will possibly tell me to leave it for longer, but I like to know how things are tasting as they progress After tasting it Ive decided it can quite happily sit there and age for 6 months before I start making an ambush on my stash of ale and with any luck it would have improved drastically Yep, it will get better. It doesn't matter how impatient you are the fact is still there: If you pick a green apricot the taste won't impress you no matter what you do but it will get better if left. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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