Starting S.G. wrong... will it cause a prblem?

[Poppa]

Hi all. New to this. Only made 2 kits so far.

I am making a Vintner's reserve shiraz, and the instructions said the starting S.G. Should be between 1.075 and 1.092. After adding my water to the 6 gal mark, the S.G. is 1.068... Will that be an issue? The last two kits fell easily in that range.

Q: Do i need to correct the S.G. and how is that done? Is it a matter of adding sugar? What amount might do that?

Thanks for any help!
Rob

 

[cpfan]

Poppa:

This is a fairly common question. Did you stir the the water and concentrate (and bentonite) well to ensure that everything was mixed well? You should be stirring the must vigourously before pitching the yeast to ensure full mixing and to incorporate oxygen into the must for the yeast.

If you didn't the kit may be layered, with a lighter (ie lower sg) level on the top. This isn't actually a problem for the yeast, but it does lead to low sg readings.

I would suggest stirring well (especially if you haven't pitched the yeast), and taking another reading. If you have pitched the yeast can you take a reading from lower down in the primary?

Steve

 

[Wade E]

It is a little low, are you sure you stirred it really good as water is lighter then the concentrate and can stay on top giving you a false reading or you could have added a little more water. In that case you could add some inverted sugar meaning dissolved in boiling water.

Edit: Looks like Steve was quicker on the draw! LOL

 

[tjbryner]

If your sure that it's mixed and you are low on the Starting S.G. I'd add about 2.25 Lbs to bring it up close to 1.085

 

[Poppa]

Thanks for the replies...

DOH! Yep, i forgot to stir it. Took areading down low and it's 1.087.

I have addded the yeast. Can i still stir the thing now?

Thanks!

 

[Wade E]

Yes, you can stir it no problem.