Does Cold Break Effect Og Reading

[gruntus]

Hello All,

I have just completed my 3rd partial/biab/extract and each time I get lots of cold break accumulating at the bottom of the fermenter (I cant imagine how much I would get if I did a no chill). This eventually settles down at the end of primary fermentation and does not impact on the taste of the beer .

My question is does this cold break effect my OG reading, as the first reading gets lots of the cold break in it.

Cheers,
Grant.

P.S. 1st time poster....so go easy on me.

 

[Guest Lurker]

That is a really interesting question. Similar to, if I was rowing a boat on a pond, and there were fish swimming in the pond, would my boat float higher?

Anyway, I am pretty sure the answer is no. If it is dissolved, it makes a difference, if it is suspended it doesnt.

 

[gruntus]

Thanks GL for the quick reply.

What exactly do you mean by dissolved?

As soon as I put the cooled wort into the fermenter I get a noticeable layer of cold break (about 2 inches). When I take the OG reading I get this layer.

Is this layer considered to be dissolved or suspended?

Should I be letting this settle in the hydrometer tube before taking my reading?

Thanks in advance,
Grant.

 

[Online Brewing Supplies]

Hello All,

I have just completed my 3rd partial/biab/extract and each time I get lots of cold break accumulating at the bottom of the fermenter (I cant imagine how much I would get if I did a no chill). This eventually settles down at the end of primary fermentation and does not impact on the taste of the beer .

My question is does this cold break effect my OG reading, as the first reading gets lots of the cold break in it.

Cheers,
Grant.

P.S. 1st time poster....so go easy on me.

Using GL's example .If the hydrometer/boat has cold break/fish all over it then yes. Ie pushing in a downward direction.Then you should get a lower SG (starting Gravity).Its a fair question.Ever sucked on some cold break? Let me know how it tastes.
GB

 

[gruntus]

Idea for 4th partial....cold break pale ale.... :wacko: ....thanks but no thanks

Thanks GB for the response....I enjoy fishing!

 

[Darren]

Hey GB,

I would have thought a hydromter full of fish (break) would RAISE the OG?

cheers

Darren

 

[Stuster]

That is a really interesting question. Similar to, if I was rowing a boat on a pond, and there were fish swimming in the pond, would my boat float higher?

Anyway, I am pretty sure the answer is no. If it is dissolved, it makes a difference, if it is suspended it doesn't.

It's all to do with poodles apparently, but the same would apply to fish as long as there were lots and lots of tiny ones. Linky to an amusing take on it, or you can just ask some soil scientists about soil sediment tests.

Anyway, sorry for the diversion Mr G.Flatulant, in practice I think it'd make very little to no difference to your gravity readings. It could make a couple of points difference, but that's probably about it. Oh, and are you sure that's cold break and not yeast settling to the bottom of the fermenter.

 

[gruntus]

It's all to do with poodles apparently, but the same would apply to fish as long as there were lots and lots of tiny ones. Linky to an amusing take on it, or you can just ask some soil scientists about soil sediment tests.

Anyway, sorry for the diversion Mr G.Flatulant, in practice I think it'd make very little to no difference to your gravity readings. It could make a couple of points difference, but that's probably about it. Oh, and are you sure that's cold break and not yeast settling to the bottom of the fermenter.

Thanks for the reply Stuster. I assumed it was cold break because I had only pitched the lager yeast 1/2 hour before....I keep on forgetting to take an OG reading before pitching. :blink:

 

[Adamt]

If it's cold break it's no longer in solution... the break is it coming out of solution and flocculating.

Sit your hydrometer reading for 10 minutes before taking the reading.

 

[Darren]

Gruntus,

Suspended particles will "jam" between the side of the hydrometer and the "tube" falsely raising your OG. Spin the hydrometer to make sure the particles fall below the hydrometer and ensure it is floating (not sitting on the break). readings should be accurate then. As GL said, if it is not dissolved in the solution it will not effect the gravity. (break material is not dissolved)

cheers

Darren

 

[Stuster]

It could have been cold break of course, just wondering. Since you'd pitched the yeast it could also have been that. Easy to forget to take gravity readings like that. I'm sure the difference is slight anyway, and with most hydrometers only being accurate to 2 points or so, not worth worrying about.

Now if you have pitch a whole school of fish in there before taking your reading, different story (and very different tasting beer of course ).

 

[Online Brewing Supplies]

It's all to do with poodles apparently, but the same would apply to fish as long as there were lots and lots of tiny ones. Linky to an amusing take on it, or you can just ask some soil scientists about soil sediment tests.

Anyway, sorry for the diversion Mr G.Flatulant, in practice I think it'd make very little to no difference to your gravity readings. It could make a couple of points difference, but that's probably about it. Oh, and are you sure that's cold break and not yeast settling to the bottom of the fermenter.

Yes would only be a few points SG .Remember MR Flatulant when you put (hydrometer) it in give it a spin.Solves most problems.Brewing tomorrow and going for an SF (starting fish) of 1070.Right of the scales :lol:
GB

 

[gruntus]

Gruntus,

Suspended particles will "jam" between the side of the hydrometer and the "tube" falsely raising your OG. Spin the hydrometer to make sure the particles fall below the hydrometer and ensure it is floating (not sitting on the break). readings should be accurate then. As GL said, if it is not dissolved in the solution it will not effect the gravity. (break material is not dissolved)

cheers

Darren

Thanks for the heads up Darren...i will give it a spin B)

 

[gruntus]

It could have been cold break of course, just wondering. Since you'd pitched the yeast it could also have been that. Easy to forget to take gravity readings like that. I'm sure the difference is slight anyway, and with most hydrometers only being accurate to 2 points or so, not worth worrying about.

Now if you have pitch a whole school of fish in there before taking your reading, different story (and very different tasting beer of course ).

Yes would only be a few points SG .Remember MR Flatulant when you put (hydrometer) it in give it a spin.Solves most problems.Brewing tomorrow and going for an SF (starting fish) of 1070.Right of the scales :lol:
GB

Thanks guys for the responses.

Quote from the missus: "I thought you were posting to a home brew site....not a fishing site"