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When you pull off sample for hydrometer - I assume your pour it back in to jug?

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scottv

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 13, 2012
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0
0
I am planning on taking my first gravity reading post fermentation start (due to the fact that I broke my hydrometer two days ago). I have a turkey baster do draw the sample and then I assume just pour it back in? Provided the turkey baster is sanitized as it the hydrometer and glass for must?

Thanks!
 

TAKeyser

NewBee
Registered Member
Mar 4, 2012
1,228
3
0
50
Detroit, MI
That's how I do it as long as I sanitized everything, sometimes I say screw sanitizing the hydrometer and test tube and I taste test my sample ;D
 

Chevette Girl

All around BAD EXAMPLE
Moderator
Lifetime GotMead Patron
Apr 27, 2010
8,443
53
48
Ottawa, ON
For anything bigger than 1-gal batches I like to drop my hydrometer right inside my wine thief (all sanitized, of course), pull up a sample, take my reading, then let the must back out again. I've never had a batch fail that I could attribute to that... Then I taste the drips that I catch in my hand while transferring the thief to the sink for cleaning :)
 

scottv

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 13, 2012
54
0
0
Well, I figure since I am still doing one gallon batches, it takes about 6-8 oz of must to get a sample and that is a large percentage of the overall volume.
 

fivecats

NewBee
Registered Member
Mar 12, 2012
272
1
0
Outside Raleighwood
Well, I figure since I am still doing one gallon batches, it takes about 6-8 oz of must to get a sample and that is a large percentage of the overall volume.

While this is true, I still recommend tasting the sample. It's a good way to appreciate how the tastes intermingle and mellow with age.
 

Cpt.Frederickson

Worker Bee
Registered Member
May 27, 2012
122
0
16
South East, UK
I second (and third, fourth etc...) all those who suggest you give it a taste; I pour most of the sample back into the batch, as I do one gallon batches too, but save just a little of the sample to taste :)
 

scottv

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 13, 2012
54
0
0
Well, I tasted it and while it is still very sweet - I loved it! I could taste the hint of strawberries.
OG - 1.10
SG - 1.062

From the calculations that is about just past the 1/3 sugar break, correct? I just let it ride now?
 

Robusto

Worker Bee
Registered Member
Jun 12, 2011
233
1
18
NJ
Yes... And no. About 80% gets returned. The remaining 20 is.... Um, sampled.
 

THawk

Crazy Martian Cat
GotMead Patron
I usually take my samples to the lab at work and have our lab techs test it for ph and SG. Then they are disposed of in a secure fashion after work, usually by multiple personnel to provide witnesses to the fact that the sample has been destroyed... ;D
 

scottv

NewBee
Registered Member
Jun 13, 2012
54
0
0
Alright, so I just took the gravity of this mead and it was 1.004. Should I rack to the secondary now and add the strawberries?
Or should I dump the strawberries in this jug and let that sit for a week or two before racking to secondary?

Thanks!

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