Checking for end of fermentation

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Buffers brewery

Buffers brewery

Complicated Brewer
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I’ve read several threads regarding this subject and had a thought. I’ve been taking a 100ml sample from my FV to measure SG when I think fermentation is finished. I then repeat this a day or two later, sometimes repeating more than once.
So it occurred to me that if I just take the one sample, note the SG then tuck it up next to the FV in my fridge, it will maintain the same conditions and will continue to ferment if not quite finished. I can then monitor the SG of my sample (rather than take additional samples) until SG levels out indicating fermentation is complete.
So tell me the error in my thinking or that’s the way everybody does it :laugh8:
 
Or leave it long enough in the first place, say 10 days plus, take a reading then return a couple of days later and take another reading and the likelihood is they will be the same.
And I don't bother to take samples I just lower the sanitised hydrometer into the beer, works fine for me but probably not for the purists.
 
Your thinking is correct to a degree - it's called a forced fermentation. You take a sample from fermenter on day one and put it on a stir plate so it ferments out to FG rapidly. This will give you a good indication of what FG expect.

Your idea will also give you an idea but you can't assume that the 20+ litres in your fermenter will ferment at the same rate as the 100ml in a trial jar.
 
Ben034 said:
Your thinking is correct to a degree - it's called a forced fermentation. You take a sample from fermenter on day one and put it on a stir plate so it ferments out to FG rapidly. This will give you a good indication of what FG expect.

Your idea will also give you an idea but you can't assume that the 20+ litres in your fermenter will ferment at the same rate as the 100ml in a trial jar.
Click to expand...
Thanks Ben. I wasn't thinking of taking the sample at the beginning of fermentation but after the first 5-6 days when things are slowing down,if not stopped. So just looking for the last couple of points drop in SG or none if all is done
 
Buffers brewery said:
Thanks Ben. I wasn't thinking of taking the sample at the beginning of fermentation but after the first 5-6 days when things are slowing down,if not stopped. So just looking for the last couple of points drop in SG or none if all is done
Click to expand...
Yeah was just sayingh it's a similar idea. I still think that you will have different results between a large batch and a trial jar. It may give you an idea but to be honest after fermentation is complete you want to give it a few days to clean up and drop clearer.
 
Ben034 said:
Yeah was just sayingh it's a similar idea. I still think that you will have different results between a large batch and a trial jar. It may give you an idea but to be honest after fermentation is complete you want to give it a few days to clean up and drop clearer.
Click to expand...
Agreed. But I feel an experiment coming on. I've got a Yorkshire bitter just finishing in the fridge.....acheers.
 

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