overshooting gravity

i guess i never thought of the first runnings getting caught in the welded portion and ball valve. i did stir for awhile but i could see it getting trapped in that part i will try a vorlauf of sorts next time in the kettle to pull that out and see where i sit at. thanks all for the help. i'm going to grab a new hydrometer just to cross that off the list as well. i will post results on next brew day which should be next sunday the 21st.

I am thinking you would have to be sampling 100% first runnings to get 1092, but you said you did stir it.  Kai's first wort table shows 1096 at your 1.25 qt/lb.  Try sampling from the top of your kettle next time after mixing?

Save your money on the hydrometer, if it read 0 your likely OK.  If you want you could do a 2 point calibration to eliminate the hydro as the problem.