K
KernelCrush
Trying to decide if I can increase volume accuracy using a sight glass. I have several pieces of oak that I have calibrated (wet method) by setting it on the bottom of whatever vessel I am working with, add 1 gallon water, stick the stick in against the bottom, and make a mark on the stick at the wet mark, repeat to full volume of vessel in 1 Gallon increments. In Gordon Strong's book (and it is a really great book) he does it the opposite way (dry method)...set the stick in til it just hits the water and mark your stick based on a reference point on the vessel. My thinking is both can be inaccurate. Water absorbs on the stick in the wet method (and the error compounds with each addition) and the dry method you have to line up to your reference mark exactly every time. I would guess a sight glass solves this so long as you calibrate perfectly the first time. Am I right? Now, how do you compensate for the +/- 4% expansion of hot wort? Should you calibrate your boil kettle sight glass with boiling water? or is this expansion already factored into your anticipated post boil volume? For my batch sizes the cool/hot 4% difference is better than 1/2 gallon.