Low SG

[davidson]

I have just started a Brewferm Pils (20 litre) made with 500g brewing sugar and 500g DME. When I took the SG it was only 1028. Why is this so low?

[oxford brewer]

What was the temp of the wort when gravity was taken(should be 20c)?Did the wort get mixed up evenly after adding the sugar and DME?How did you take the gravity reading?

This may help in finding the problem!

[Chris The Fish]

the only time ive had a reading this low with brewferm kits is when ive not stirred it and have got more water than wort.

Brewferm kits also have a knack of grossly underestimating the amount of sugar you need to get things to the correct SG, the Tarwebier and Ambiorix i have conditioning at the mo both needed a good 20-30% extra to get them near the mark.

hope this helps

Chris

[Stonch]

Sorry to hijack, but I have a similar question - as usual it's very noddy!

What do you think the SG for our Brupaks Black Moor Stout is likely to have been - bearing in mind we whacked in about 250g of Muntons Spraymalt to beef it up, too? Bear in mind I didnt have the hydrometer when we started primary so never got to measure the wort!

I know I'm aiming at a FG of 1010, and I'm seemingly stuck at 1020 now (though just stirred), but would be interested to know where I was meant to have started.

[Stonch]

Thanks DaaB!

I assume the extra spraymalt will also notch the SG up a tiny bit, as it's not 100% fermentable?

Still stuck at 1020 on the stout this morning after last night's rouse... it's only been 6 days though...

if only I had some yeast vit! that'll be part of my next homebrew splurge!

[davidson]

Thanks for the replies. The temp was 20c when the reading was taken. I have also tried the hydrometer in water at 20c and the reading was 1.000. Does this mean that i will end up with 20 litres of shandy or is there something I can do to sort this out.

[iowalad]

I think Chris may be on to your issue.

Did you top up with any water after the boil? It may well be that your wort did not get mixed properly. It can be surprisingly difficult to get them to mix with a good shake or even a basic stir.

It will sort itself out. If you got all your extract and sugar into the kettle you should be fine.

[davidson]

I stirred the wort like a mad man . There was about an inch of froth on top of the wort. Dont think I could have stirred anymore. I will take another reading and see what the gravity is at. Is it worth adding yeast nutrient and/or dry beer enzyme?

[sparky Paul]

If you put a 1.5Kg Brewferm can into a 20 litre brew, together with 1Kg of dry fermentables, the sg should be around 1040, as has been said earlier.

I'm with DaaB, perhaps the wort wasn't fully mixed when you took the sg, particularly the DME - it can be a pain to mix in if it clumps up.

[davidson]

Now that you mention it sparky about the DME. It was really lumpy. Probably this is the reason why the SG was so low. Should I now just leave the brew as it is?

[sparky Paul]

That's the reason for your low sg.

The DME should have dissolved into the wort by now, so it should be okay. Can you still see any lumpy bits?

[davidson]

Cant see any lumps in the wort. Will take your advice next time concerning the dissolving of the dme. Thanks again for your help

[davidson]

if only I had some yeast vit! that'll be part of my next homebrew splurge!

Try your local Wilkinsons, they may have some yeast vit

[Stonch]

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be such a thing as a local Wilkos in these parts!

[james_m_r]

Sadly, there doesn't seem to be such a thing as a local Wilkos in these parts!

You need to relocate!