I recently purchased a RAPT Pill hydrometer. Having the fermentation revealed in detail to me completely transformed my fermentation experience. It instantly became my favorite brewing tool. I used to poke at my fermenter with anxiety for the first few days to see if anything was happening. Later, I would sample too frequently, making unnecessary work for myself. Finally, I’d lose interest and let the beer sit longer than needed prior to bottling/kegging.
With a wireless hydrometer, I was able to see the three phases of fermentation: lag, growth, and stationary. Instead of poking at my fermenter, I left it in darkness, reloading a web page instead. It also integrates seamlessly with BrewFather. Here’s my hefeweizen fermentation profile, ongoing right now, as an example. (It’s coming out of the fermenter tomorrow.)
Because I could see the stages of fermentation, it also allowed me to time a change to the fermentation chamber temperature to try to tailor the balance of hefeweizen banana and clove flavours. (There’s also a RAPT fermentation temperature controller for full automation, however that’s for future consideration as it’s a bit pricey compared to an INKBIRD.)
Does anyone else have experience with wireless hydrometers or temperature controllers? I’m curious what else can be done with these tools.
With a wireless hydrometer, I was able to see the three phases of fermentation: lag, growth, and stationary. Instead of poking at my fermenter, I left it in darkness, reloading a web page instead. It also integrates seamlessly with BrewFather. Here’s my hefeweizen fermentation profile, ongoing right now, as an example. (It’s coming out of the fermenter tomorrow.)
Because I could see the stages of fermentation, it also allowed me to time a change to the fermentation chamber temperature to try to tailor the balance of hefeweizen banana and clove flavours. (There’s also a RAPT fermentation temperature controller for full automation, however that’s for future consideration as it’s a bit pricey compared to an INKBIRD.)
Does anyone else have experience with wireless hydrometers or temperature controllers? I’m curious what else can be done with these tools.