gmhowell wrote:...but that makes it harder to justify using a drill press.
Let me try that again gm
,
First point, use the BIABacus to work out graduations rather than pouring gallons into a kettle. If you do use gallons, make sure you weigh the water first. Many dodgy jugs out there. I have heaps!
Second point (which you are onto now) is measuring from the top can sometimes be easier. You can't do that with a single dipstick with holes. You'd need one to do depth and one for headspace or you use a ruler.
Third point and what I liked about your post was the hole idea but I don't think it will work for two reasons. Firstly wort is very 'watery'. It's not like soapy water so I don't think the wort will 'bubble' in the hole. Secondly, there is a lot of swelling and carrying on when trying to measure ho volumes. They are dodgy readings at best. If the hole by some chance did 'fill', then you wouldn't know if it was when the wort was at it's highest or lowest 'breath'. (That may not make any sense atm if you haven't measured wort in the boil just after turning the flame off.)
I like the thinking behind the hole idea but the metal ruler combined with the BIABacus adjustments is actually really easy and very practical on brew day. The BIABacus tells you to fill your kettle with so many inches of water and that's what you do. No problems reading the ruler.
The hot measures such as Volume into Boil and Volume at Flame-Out are just check-measures of other more easily measured volumes.
Really, the only important measurement requiring a dipstick is the water needed for the mash. All other volume measurements are either checks or can be taken using easier methods. In fact, in the next BIABacus,you'll be seeing this on the second sheet...
BIABacus Weight to Volume .JPG
In the above pic, the brewer has used scales to weigh the vessels to get the required volumes. (Bathroom scales can be used for example although you may have to make a little stand so as you can read the display).
See the gas bottle on the far right? Cool eh?
PP
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