Beer Making Kits - A Hydrometer

By: ron king | Posted: 30th June 2009

If you quiz a homebrewer about the most appropriate components in beer making for their hobby, the most typical answers you'd uncover would be: the fermenter, ingredients (such as hops, malt syrup, and yeast), and then a thing called a hydrometer.

What Is A Hydrometer?

A hydrometer is a tool for determining the density or "specific gravity" of a liquid. You review the hydrometer to see how heavy (the specific gravity) the brewed extract is compared to typical 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 establish what this reading is to identify when your homebrew is precisely fermented. And once this has occurred, you can then bottle the brew and shortly thereafter love drinking what you have made.

How Do You Use A Hydrometer?

The process is very easy, and doesn't take long to learn. To prepare, fill a mason jar (or anything similar with appropriate sides) two-thirds full of water. Make sure this water is near to 60 degrees Fahrenheit. After, 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.

Next, take an extra 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 determine your new reading. Fermentation is still occurring if the reading is above 1.015, but it is close to finishing when the hydrometer reads between 1.010 and 1.008.

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

To confirm fermentation has finished, take dual readings over 24 hours. If the readings repeat, your brew is ready to be bottled. If it is still varied, the fermentation process is still happening.

Advice

Always make sure your jars, as well as the hydrometer, are clean and dry prior to use.

If your brew has any foam or bubbles, pour the mixture into a glass, then back into the jar, until they subside.

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


Get your free home brewing guide - with 13 delicious recipes today. Also see our beginners' brewing blog.Copyright 2009 Ron King. You can reprint this article if the resource box is left intact and the links live.About the Author
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Tags: variables, density, two thirds, yeast, fahrenheit, specific gravity, fermentation process, brewing beer, sugar honey, homebrew