First Gravity Reading, using a hydrometer.

Last night I took my first gravity reading of the Cider.  As mentioned in the first post, when I conjured up this batch of cider, I didn't have a hydrometer at the time and therefore failed to get an OG (Original Gravity) reading  on the batch.

So last night 9 PM, about 10 full days after the fermentation began, I took my first reading with the hydrometer.

Detailed instructions follow on how to take a hydrometer reading as well as some helpful hints to make it easier.  Record keeping is essential to happy brewing :)

First off, you can buy a test tube shaped container for using your hydrometer, or you can use a wine thief, or you can use the container the hydrometer came in, like I did.

Step 1(this will keep you from wasting your brew and make your next gravity reading easier):  For the first time using the container, you'll need to figure out how much volume you'll need to get it close to the top so you can get a good reading.  To do this, place your hydrometer in the empty container, then fill the container until it's at a good level.  I filled it so the liquid level was about a half inch from the top.
After filling it to this point, remove the hydrometer and make this lower level with a marker.  This will let you know in the future how much liquid to put in it.

Step 2:  Use a Thermometer to find the temperature.  This is crucial to having an accurate reading from your hydrometer.  Hydrometers are calibrated for a certain temperature (look at your instructions or box to see what yours is calibrated at).  Take the temperature and record it.  Remove thermometer.

Step 3:  Place hydrometer in tube/container.  Spin the hydrometer to remove any bubbles that may be in the bottom of the container that would interfere with an accurate reading.  Let the hydrometer slow and level out, while making sure that the container is on a level surface.  Record the reading that you see, the top of the liquid level.

Step 4:  Redo Step 3 to make sure you got the same reading.

Step 5:  Refer to manufacturer instructions on correcting reading for temperature.  In my case my reading was 1.030, with my hydrometer calibrated at 60 degrees.  My cider was 70 degrees, my correction was +.001, so my actual reading is 1.031.

Step 6:  Taste your sample!  Celebrate or cry.

I've been doing a lot of taste testing in preparation for my beer brewing.  I picked up a sample pack of Boulevard Brewery beer, my Kansas City hometown brewery.  Tonight was Pale Ale: