Hydrometer Reading

[Rfields947]

This is my first attempt at making beer. After I poured the wort into the fermenting jug I did a hydrometer reading and it was 1.034. According to the scale this was too low. Any ideas what I could have done wrong?

Ronnie

[slothrob]

I assume you made an extract kit. If you hit the volumes correctly, then the OG will be what the kit predicted, because the amount of sugar in the kit is known.

It's very common, with these extract kits, that brewers get the wrong OG read from the hydrometer. This is because you are mixing the concentrated wort from the kettle with water. It is very difficult to get this mixed evenly enough to get a good hydrometer reading, even if you're sure you mixed it well. The reading is almost always low, because the concentrated wort wants to sit on the bottom.

The fermentation will get it mixed well, though.

[Rfields947]

Thanks. That answers my question. You are correct I did use the extract kit.

[slothrob]

Good luck and enjoy the beer!