I like to pride my self on double checking every step and measurement, read every label on the additives twice before adding that kind of thing but very nearly messed up a kit I was starting the other night through the simplest of omissions.
I tipped my grape juice in to the FV, then checked and added the bentonite sachet, poured in three litres of warm water and mixed thoroughly. I then topped up to 23l and waited till the mix was at 20c before taking the S.G. and adding yeast.
When I checked the S.G. I got a reading of 1.045 so I checked again but still the same. I'll try another hydrometer, still 1.045. I was now feeling a little miffed that the kit (it wasn't cheap) clearly didn't have the correct level of sugars and was about to add some dextrose to get the level up when I stopped. I realised that after topping up I hadn't stirred the mixture again. Such a simple step to miss out, after mixing again the S.G. was 1.085.
Anyone else made any really basic mistakes despite years of experience brewing?
I tipped my grape juice in to the FV, then checked and added the bentonite sachet, poured in three litres of warm water and mixed thoroughly. I then topped up to 23l and waited till the mix was at 20c before taking the S.G. and adding yeast.
When I checked the S.G. I got a reading of 1.045 so I checked again but still the same. I'll try another hydrometer, still 1.045. I was now feeling a little miffed that the kit (it wasn't cheap) clearly didn't have the correct level of sugars and was about to add some dextrose to get the level up when I stopped. I realised that after topping up I hadn't stirred the mixture again. Such a simple step to miss out, after mixing again the S.G. was 1.085.
Anyone else made any really basic mistakes despite years of experience brewing?