Hydrometer: Difference between revisions
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Put your liquid in the hydrometer tube, spinning the hydrometer and measuring the original gravity (OG) when it settles. Try to make sure there is as little carbonation | Put your liquid in the hydrometer tube, spinning the carbonation (bubbles) off the hydrometer if applicable, and measuring the original gravity (OG) when it settles. Try to make sure there is as little carbonation as possible in this process. | ||
Once you think it's done fermenting (when the lavalamp-esque activity stops, usually within 4-12 days), take another measurement with the hydrometer for final gravity (FG). | Once you think it's done fermenting (when the lavalamp-esque activity stops, usually within 4-12 days), take another measurement with the hydrometer for final gravity (FG). |
Latest revision as of 20:40, 14 March 2007
Put your liquid in the hydrometer tube, spinning the carbonation (bubbles) off the hydrometer if applicable, and measuring the original gravity (OG) when it settles. Try to make sure there is as little carbonation as possible in this process.
Once you think it's done fermenting (when the lavalamp-esque activity stops, usually within 4-12 days), take another measurement with the hydrometer for final gravity (FG).
Note some countries use alcohol by weight as the measurement, some use alcohol by volume. Do you know which your country uses?
(OG - FG) * 105 = {% Alcohol by Weight} {% Alcohol by Weight} * 1.25 = [% Alcohol by Volume]
If we take the first case from the Cider example, the OG was 1.050 and the FG was 1.006.
(1.050 - 1.006) * 105 = 4.62 4.62 * 1.25 = 5.775
Thus, the Cider with the EC1118 yeast has approximately 5.8% alcohol.
Interesting note: Although the rumour is that American beer is weaker than other countries, they often use ABW where many other countries will use ABV. As you can see, there is a significant difference between the two.