Wine Thief or a simpler way to sample wort from a carboy?

Question

Wine Thief or a simpler way to sample wort from a carboy?

Lawrence

2016年1月2日 20:07

I was unable to get an O.G. sample from my first batch in the carboy (tried using a long siphon tube with my finger held over one end...), so I'm trying to buy a wine thief to take final gravity, but most seem too short for a 5 gal batch in a 6.5 gal carboy. I saw homebrewsupply.com sells a simple, $5 plastic baster. Any reason why this isn't a good solution? Or suggestions for finding a wine thief that's more than 12 inches long? Thanks for helping a new brewer!

Topic measurements first-time-brewer equipment homebrew

Category Mac

Evil Zymurgist · Accepted Answer · 2016年1月2日 20:07

Basters work well if you can find one that fits. 50ml pipet is basically the same thing but with accurate measuring. In a pinch a clean section of Beer line works, submerge then cap with thumb.

About your OG, fear not there is math for that if you have a FG from brix refractometer and hydrometer. The Formula is rather ridiculous by hand (honestly never seen it other than in source code). This calculator is in beersmith and the Android app Brewzor Calculator. I've tested it on several documented brews with an accuracy of 0.001+/-.

jedi jay · Accepted Answer · 2016年1月2日 16:21

I used this wine thief when I was using carboys - http://www.northernbrewer.com/fermtech-wine-thief

I also used a 6.5 gallon carboy for primary fermentation, and all you have to do is shake the thief up and down briskly to pull up more liquid into it if that's what your problem is. This method will be effective even if the thief doesn't touch the bottom.

Atron Seige · Accepted Answer · 2015年9月9日 07:22

1

Atron Seige answered at 2015年9月9日 07:22

I have seen large wine thiefs that the hydrometer fits into. Check the big USA home brew sites, I think it was on there.

Denny Conn · Accepted Answer · 2015年9月7日 18:43

1

Denny Conn answered at 2015年9月7日 18:43

I use a dedicated, sanitized plastic baster to retrieve samples. If it's too short, all you need to do is tilt your fermenter a bit.