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Hydrometer progress in secondary fermentation:

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Ghost99

NewBee
Registered Member
Oct 5, 2015
56
0
0
Hi Guys,

quick question about the science behind these hydrometer readings through the mead making process:

If I have an initial gravity reading in my primary of say...1.072 (give or take) and I wait for it to ferment down to 1.001 or even 1.000 and then rack to secondary,
how low can I expect it to drop below that reading once it's 'ready' in my secondary?

I understand you need to keep taking periodic readings and once you find it hasn't moved in a week it's good to bottle, but I'd also understood 1.000 to be the gravity of distilled water. So will it actually drop much below that once in secondary? Sorry if this question is confusing and thanks for any help.

Cheers!
 

Farmboyc

NewBee
Registered Member
Sep 2, 2015
384
0
0
Yup it will fall below 1.000 cause you now have a mixture of ethanol, water, and other stuff.
I personally haven't had one go below 0.998 but have heard of them going to 0.995.
 

bmwr75

Worker Bee
Registered Member
Oct 2, 2014
464
2
18
Northeast Mississippi
When it gets to 1.000 you are done for all practical purposes. You can then stabilize with sulphites and sorbates and bottle when clear. If you want to backsweeten to semi-sweet or sweet, do that after stabilizing.
 

Ghost99

NewBee
Registered Member
Oct 5, 2015
56
0
0
ok, so at this point, it's safe to leave it alone for awhile and bottle when it starts to become clear? I've also never heard of 'stabalizing'. Is there more info or any links I can follow to learn more?

Thanks!
 
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