1st batch bottled, 2nd batch questions.

[CyanideMint]

Just finished bottling my first batch, I think I made a mistake however.

Used a Cooper Draught kit, and 1st fermentation went 11 days. I kept checking the water lock and at day 11 the water lock bubbled once every 3-5 mins so I figured it was done. I siphoned into another bucket with my priming sugar but kept a little back to test with my hydrometer without the priming sugar. That’s where I think I made my error, when I did the hydrometer test (test tube and hydrometer suspended in it) it was just below 1.000 (26 by volume)? I bottled anyways, so what have I made soda pop? How do you know when to bottle, looking at the water lock like I did or the hydrometer? There was sediment at the bottom of the bucket, and the brew didn't taste particularly sweet......

If the hydrometer is the best way to determine if you’re ready for bottling, do you just take the lid off your bucket to get a sample every now and then? I thought you were not to expose the brew to oxygen during the first fermentation?

Thanks in advance!

[Prozac]

I can't really see any reason not to leave a hydrometer bobbing about in the brew...... especially if added after the first froth has settled down a bit....

[CyanideMint]

Ok, so if I add the hydrometer to the brew, it's ok to keep lifting the lid of the bucket? Again, I thought exposing the brew to oxygen was bad.

[Benson_JV]

It is, but as long as you dont keep the lid up for hours on end, you'll be fine. A check for the gravity is fine, only takes what, a minute.

[randomdave]

it wont oxidise by taking a reading, the beer produces Co2 which sits on the top of the beer an is heavier than air creating a nice cushion keeping oxygen out. I check mine every day or every couple of days cos the novelty still hasnt worn off Just remember to clean the hydro before dropping it in