SG of 1.003 with water at 20C

[CreweBrewer]

Guessing it should be at 1.000. I've been mildly concerned due to the fact that I've never brewed a beer that has sank below 1.010, but at the same time, have turned out pretty good. I've just picked up a kit to make Evil Dog Double IPA and want to do the kit justice.

Is it worth getting another/more accurate hydrometer, or is the calculation for ABV pretty linear?

Ta!

Dave

 

[andydj]

You are reading your hydrometer from the bottom of the miniscus aren't you?

 

[MyQul]

If you are reading your hydrometer correctly and it is 1.003 for water you can just adjust for this inacurracy. My hydrometer reads 0.008 for water so I just add 'two points' when doing a beer/wort reading

 

[CreweBrewer]

Thanks chaps! I'm reading it properly. If it's just a case of working out the difference between the SG and FG then I can live with it being slightly out.

Thanks again!

Dave