Hydrometer question

[Clank007]

What is the best way to get the wine from the demijon into the hydrometer?

The reason I ask is that after the first stage of fermentation with wine number 1, I poured the wine straight from the demijon into the hydrometer vessel. This unfortunately disturbed the sediment in the demijon so I am still waiting for it to settle again.

Is there an easier way to do this at all?

[spritzer]

What is the best way to get the wine from the demijon into the hydrometer?

The reason I ask is that after the first stage of fermentation with wine number 1, I poured the wine straight from the demijon into the hydrometer vessel. This unfortunately disturbed the sediment in the demijon so I am still waiting for it to settle again.

Is there an easier way to do this at all?

I use a turkey baster...
Or you could get a wine thief from your HBS

[solly]

If you do get a wine thief then try and get one where you don't use your finger to hold the wine in place, these are cheap but if your finger slips a little then the wine ends up dripping everywhere

Not sure what kind of wine thief other people use but I have seen the ones with a rubber bladder on the top of the thief, you press the bladder and this draws the wine up into the wine thief - which you then squart back into a trail jar and then use your Hydrometer to take a reading.

[wadewade]

I agree with the wine thief! Its a great tool and all winemakers should have 1 as you can use the hydrometer right in there instaed of the turkey bater where you still need to put the wine in a test jar to take a SG reading.

[cpfan]

Clank:

I use a Fermtech Wine Thief. (see http://www.fermtech.ca/thief/thief.html) With a large enough batch (say 23 litres or 5 Imperial gallons), you can slip the hydrometer inside it and take the reading very simply.

However, a 1 gallon DJ isn't big enough. So I use the Thief to put samples into a hydrometer tube/jar containing the hydrometer.

Steve

[wadewade]

With my wine thief and anyone that has the little stopper on the bottom, all you have to do is bob the thief in & out of the wine and each time it will fill more, I take sg readings out of 1 gallon jugs all the time.

[Clank007]

Thanks for your replies.

I like the name wine thief, its as if you're sneaking some out whilst no one is looking....

Does anyone have any links to a UK site that sells the one with the stopper that can be used in a 1 gallon demijon please?

[wurzel]

Wine Thief

[Tuco]

Wine Thief

I think the OP wanted one for a 1 gal dj, Those don't fit if they are these ones,



I have a turkey baster I bought that fits in 1 gallon demijohn, or I sometimes just float the hydrometer in the dj if i'm feeling lazy

[wurzel]

I think the OP wanted one for a 1 gal dj, Those don't fit if they are these ones,



I have a turkey baster I bought that fits in 1 gallon demijohn, or I sometimes just float the hydrometer in the dj if i'm feeling lazy

You sure?

[Clank007]

So is the general consensus then that one of these will fit a 1 gallon demijon?

I'd like to order one now but if it wont fit then I'll have to find something else...

[fatbloke]

So is the general consensus then that one of these will fit a 1 gallon demijon?

I'd like to order one now but if it wont fit then I'll have to find something else...

I'd actually give any online HBS a ring first, the one I have came from Brouwland and it doesn't fit in "normal" 1 gallon DJ's.

I also have a turkey baster that I use specifically for wine making so I just take a few "slurps" from the DJ with that, and just run it into the test jar nice and gently, so as not to add too much air/oxygen.....

If you've measured a couple of DJ's to get an average size the "they" should be able to advise whether it will fit or not.

You could also get an auto-siphon, that way, you can use it to get enough out to test or use it for a "full racking" when it's ready...

regards

JtFB

[wadewade]

I use 1 gallon Carlo Rossi Wine jugs and the picture shown is the one I use and it fits right in.

[cpfan]

I use a Fermtech Thief. It is a tight fit in my 2-eared Imperial gallon DJ that looks like the one in Wurzel's picture. I also have a 1-eared US gallon jug that came with apple cider in it. The Thief does not fit in that jug.

Both of the above take a #6 bung. Here in Canada, some gallon jugs take a larger #8 bung, so obviously the Thief will fit in those.

I guess it depends on the exact jug.

Steve

[wurzel]

I'd actually give any online HBS a ring first....
If you've measured a couple of DJ's to get an average size the "they" should be able to advise whether it will fit or not.

Sensible suggestion from FB there.

Since posting the link I have found somewhere that sells them cheaper and their postage is very reasonable.

http://www.homebrewcentre.co.uk/default.asp