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Location of S.G.

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mouko_yamamoto

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Oct 21, 2005
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Does it matter where you measure to find the S.G. of a sample? Like in the neck of a one gallon jug? I'm just wondering because I racked today and took a measurement, and it came out to about 1.001 to 1.002, even though the mead is still relatively dark.

I don't know what the OG was, as I just recently got a hydrometer. The recipe was similar to Mac's Cherry Cyser, but I used 1.5 pounds mesquite and 1.5 pounds clover, and used 71B.
 

WRATHWILDE

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Mar 19, 2005
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Usually you want to draw a sample out to test, if only to keep from contaminating your mead. No the location shouldn't matter and the darkness or lightness of your mead has no relation to it's gravity.

Wrathwilde
 

mouko_yamamoto

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Oct 21, 2005
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Thanks. I really should test in a tube, but I hate to do it in the hydrometer packaging. I guess I should order a testing tube.
 

Mynx

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Apr 8, 2005
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Dunno why the tube it came in is a problem?

I used mine for 2 year (till I broke my hydrometer)
 

mouko_yamamoto

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Oct 21, 2005
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Heheh, well I'm not big on sanitization, and didn't want to sanitize the hydrometer and the tube. I guess that's no excuse though.
 

CheshireCat

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Feb 21, 2005
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I never sanitize my hydrometer or tube, other than rinsing it out after I'm done with it. It doesn't come in contact with my batches, I usually use a scoop or baster to draw out the sample and put in the tube. After I'm done taking my gravity reading I get to take a taste test. :D
 

mouko_yamamoto

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Oct 21, 2005
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Well this is wierd. I thought it was near done due to the low SG, but it seems the racking kicked it in the butt, because it started up again. But with an SG of 1.001-ish, it can't go much further, can it?
 

Brewbear

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May 10, 2005
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I agree with you guys that sanitizing the tube may seem superfluous but i would rather take the 5 minutes it takes to sanitize with iodophore than take a chace. Mucho, you may not be big into sanitizing but the time it takes to sanitize is woth it rather than a spoiled batch. Have you ever tasted a spoiled batch of beer? I have, one of my friends became a believer in sanitizing after his batch went south. Wehad tears in our yes as we poured the beer down the sink. I usually put sanitizing solution in the tube and then put the hydrometer in. 5 minutes later, rinse wih hot water and airdry.

Cheers,
Ted
 

mouko_yamamoto

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Oct 21, 2005
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I know I should get on it but I'm lazy, and don't want to wash something several times to get rid of the bleach. I looked at the sanitization poll, and many people seem to like iodophore, so I think I'll pick some of that up next time I order something.
 

Pewter_of_Deodar

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I do like someone else mentioned and just rinse the hydrometer and 200 mL graduated cylinder since whatever touches those does NOT go back into the batch. However, the wine thief gets cleaned with No Rinse and then rinsed several times in scalding water before touching the batch. Every sample results in some spillage... because Oskaar corrupted me that way...
 

mouko_yamamoto

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Oct 21, 2005
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Jeez, I want some spillage... I need to start making at least 3 gallon batches, cuz 1 gallon just ain't cuttin' it.
 

WRATHWILDE

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mouko_yamamoto said:
Jeez, I want some spillage... I need to start making at least 3 gallon batches, cuz 1 gallon just ain't cuttin' it.

I thought 5 gallons would cut it, then I moved to 6.5... now for my acerglyn I plan on moving to 27 gallons. When You are shooting for extended aging of your meads, it's hard to get past a year or two with a 5 gallon batch, especially if sharing with friends & family.

Wrathwilde
 

mouko_yamamoto

NewBee
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Oct 21, 2005
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Wow, 27 gallons? I don't even have a pot big enough for 3 right now. Anyway, cyser still bubbling away happily, so I guess I'll take an FG when it's all done to see how far it dropped.
 
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