[flbrewer]

I've noticed that my wine thief doesn't grab enough wort for a sample, normally I need to take 2-3 draws to fill the hydrometer test jar.

I've also noticed that if I shake the thief up and down, it gets enough wort. Would this add too much oxygen to the beer that it would be an issue?

[factory]

I used to do shake the wine thief up and down to gather enough wort.  If there is any oxygen uptake, I've never noticed any oxidation from doing it.  I now have a conical fermenter with a ball valve at the bottom that I pull the sample from.  One could argue that I could get oxygen pick-up from that as well, but again, I've never noticed any oxidation off flavor or other ill effects from doing this.

[Jimmy K]

I guess it depends on how vigorously you're shaking, but I stick my hydrometer inside the wine thief to take a measurement. Fill first, then drop the hydrometer in - there's always enough to float it though that would depend on your fermenter.

[flbrewer]

Hmmm, never thought about placing in in the thief.

[flbrewer]

Yeah on second thought I don't think that would matter.

[Jimmy K]

Yeah on second thought I don't think that would matter.

I guess it would only make a difference if your cylinder was much wider than your thief.

[flbrewer]

Exactly. They are essentially the same. Are there wide thieves available?