Mid fermentation sugar addition

[timothyboffo]

Hello, my name is Tim .
What happens when you have waited 5 days to check juice with hydrometer and add sugar accordingly?

 

[timothyboffo]

How is hydrometer reading affected by fermentation or does the release of hyd-sulf bubbles cause inaccuracy in the readings?

 

[QuiQuog]

Violent overflowing foam in my experience. If I understand correctly, the sugar acted as a nucleation site for co2 release. I added it all at once and it released all the co2 at once. Do it slowly, or make simple syrup.

 

[QuiQuog]

Wait, what are you doing? Is this juice, or actively fermenting must?

 

[ChuckD]

How is hydrometer reading affected by fermentation or does the release of hyd-sulf bubbles cause inaccuracy in the readings?

First. I hope it’s not H2S bubbles (rotten egg smell)… Probably CO2. The tiny bubbles attach to the hydrometer and lift it a little. Give the hydrometer a good spin and read it quickly.

Adding sugar mid fermentation (search for step feeding) is common to get a higher ABV. I second the foaming volcano! In the primary fermenter stir it well and add the sugar slowly. Better yet use a simple syrup.