Racked first brew to secondary

[beerdrinker]

If you want to be able to take samples from the fermenter you just need a turkey baster and some tubing. Sanitize both and then attach enough tubing to the turkey baster so that you can reach the wort inside the fermentor. Then you can suck up enough wort for a hydrometer sample.

If you ferment in a bucket, then you would not need the tubing as the baster could reach the wort easily.

Sean.

[Billy Klubb]

I'd say anything above 1.015 I'd start cutting out sugar, unless you're trying to reach a higher carbonation level. but you probably won't need to. it all depends on where your SG is sitting after enough time has passed. if you're consistently getting the same reading after 3 days, then your ferment is probably done.

[nanofreak]

Thanks guys!

[TheTodd]

Though it was a 5 glaaon recipe, I ended up at 4.5 gallons, so it is slightly stronger than it should have been. I did not take an OG reading to be honest. I didn't have a hydrometer (thought one came with the kit but didn't) though I have picked one up since.

It sounds like the other guys addressed your carbonation questions, so I have nothing to add there. However, when I went back and read the above line, I wanted to assure you that the beer is not necessarily stronger because you ended up with 4.5gal instead of 5gal. Since you didn't have a chance to take an original gravity, you won't really know how strong it is. Your target gravity is much more important than your final volume in determining how your beer comes out. Just go ahead and take a reading. As long as you're under 1.015, you'll be fine. I suspect you'll be under 1.010 which is perfect. Enjoy!