Beer Making Kits - Using The Hydrometer

If you ask a homebrewer about the most best items in brewing kits for their pastime, the most universal answers you'd hear would be: the fermenter, ingredients (such as hops, malt syrup, and yeast), and then an item called a hydrometer.

What Is A Hydrometer?

A hydrometer is a device for determining the density or "specific gravity" of a liquid. You use the hydrometer to see how heavy (the specific gravity) the brewed extract is compared to plain water. The heaviness of the brew is caused by how much sugar has been used by the yeast during the fermentation process.

You want to consider what this reading is to identify when your homebrew is entirely fermented. And once this has occurred, you can then bottle the brew and shortly thereafter enjoy drinking what you have prepared.

How Do You Benefit From A Hydrometer?

The process is very easy, and doesn't take long to learn. To setup, fill a mason jar (or anything similar with appropriate sides) 2/3 full of water. Make sure this water is near to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Next, place the hydrometer into the water. It will bob up and down for a moment, and then even out. The reading should be 1.000 (or very close to this reading). Once you have verified this reading, take the hydrometer out of the jar and towel it off.

After, take another jar and fill it to 2/3 full with your homebrew. Once again, place the hydrometer into the brew, allow it to bob around until balanced out, and discover your new reading. Fermentation is still occurring if the reading is above 1.015, but it is close to development when the hydrometer reads between 1.010 and 1.008.

That is just for sugar -- honey, malt extracts, and extra brewing ingredients all have slightly unique results. When you're brewing beer, there are a lot of variables you need to account for. That's why it is idealistic for beginners to use beer kits, so that the details have all been worked out for you.

To establish fermentation has finished, take two readings over 24 hours. If the readings match, your brew is ready to be bottled. If it is still different, the fermentation process is still working.

Advice

Always make positive your jars, as well as the hydrometer, are clean and dry before activity.

If your brew has part foam or bubbles, pour the solution into a glass, then back into the jar, until they disappear.

Make sure your hydrometer is not touching the sides of the jar before taking your readings.


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