Help! No Hydrometer. 6 Days in.

[Sir Real Ale]

Rule 1: Never, ever, put a plastic hydrometer to sterlise in a babies bottle steriliser in the microwave

Rule 2: Never break your spare glass hydrometer by sterilising in water that is too hot

So, 6 days in with my third brew ever (Muntons Old Conkerwood). Fizzed up nicely, now settled down. Do I a) bottle anyway tomorrow (i've got a day off so the opportunity to do it) b) wait until the weekend because it should have finished by then or c) have to get hold of a hydrometer because it is a necessity (particularly with Munton's kits and the sticking potential).

In other words, what is the downside if I do bottle it and the hydrometer reading would have been too high?

I have another question but I'll put it into a separate post.

[Jim]

I think you've answered your own question.

The consequences of bottling before fermentation is complete are pretty dire. Exploding bottles can cause very serious injuries; your brew will be fine 'till you buy a new hydro.

[boingy]

Defo not tomorrow!
Will probably be fine at the weekend but as you will need a hydrometer for future use you might as well get one sooner rather than later. If you do not have a handy HB shop maybe you can get to a Wilko? (Not all Wilko branches stock HB stuff so might be worth checking in advance).

[PureGuiness]

Defo not tomorrow!
Will probably be fine at the weekend but as you will need a hydrometer for future use you might as well get one sooner rather than later. If you do not have a handy HB shop maybe you can get to a Wilko? (Not all Wilko branches stock HB stuff so might be worth checking in advance).

But of your local Wilkos doesn;t stock home brew then you can always order online for free delivery to your local store

[Sir Real Ale]

Thanks chaps. I'm in Redhill, so it's Cheers in Cheam or Art of Brewing Chessington for me.

Not sure that there's a wilkos anywhere near me.

I'll use my day off to go and get one and save bottling until the weekend when hopefully the readings are stable

Cheers!

SRA

[pauljmuk]

When I used to brew many years ago, I never used a hydrometer - just made sure that the beer was nice and settled, no bubbles rising before bottling. Never had an explosion.

Wouldn't recommend it - buy a new one, they are cheap, but if you really can't get hold of one, I'd say bottle into PET or a keg.