Hands on Review: Tilt Bluetooth Fermentation Hydrometer!
Updated: September 11, 2024
This review is by Homebrew Finds Contributor Brad Probert. Brad is an engineer, expert homebrewer and experienced reviewer. Grab a link to Brad’s website at the end of this review.
Tilt Bluetooth Fermentation Hydrometer
I get pretty excited about most homebrew gear. As an engineer, I love trying to find new tools that let me brew more consistently, or give me control over processes that previously were just a spectator sport. The Tilt Bluetooth hydrometer is one of those devices that pulls back the curtain a bit on a part of the brew process that’s a bit more mysterious. It lets you see what’s going on within your fermenting beer in a way that makes you wonder how you managed without it before.
Deals on TILT are Rare, Why?
TILT is a MAP item. MAP = Minimum Advertised Price. It’s an agreement between sellers and manufacturer’s not to sell an item below a certain price. This gear generally sells for about the same price no matter where you purchase it from and is rarely discounted.
Rare, Limited Time DEAL on TILT!
- As of this posting SoCal Brewing Supply is discounting everything sitewide by 15% when you use coupon code welcome10.
- This is valid on first time orders.
- Shipping is also free to most US addresses.
Based on my experience with TILT deals, I’d suggest getting in on this sooner rather than later.
Tilt Hydrometers at SoCal Brewing Supply – remember promo code welcome10
Check Current Prices & Availability
Check product pages and searches for current availability, description and pricing
- TIlt Hydrometers at MoreBeer
- Tilt Hydrometers at SoCal Brewing Supply
- Tilt Hydrometers at Great Fermentations
- Search Amazon for “Tilt Hydrometer” – offerings vary
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Black)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Blue)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Red)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Green)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer And Thermometer (Orange)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Pink)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Purple)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Yellow)
A note about colors: The function of all models is the same. If you want multiple TILTs you should choose different colors because your app can monitor only one of each color
TILT Wrench
Related
- Tilt Hydrometer App – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
- Tilt Hydrometer App for iOS – via Apple App Store
The device comes in a compact clear polycarbonate tube, sealed on each end to keep the battery and fancy circuitry dry as it floats along in your fermentor. It’s completely no-strings-attached, and you just drop it in your fermentor and the Bluetooth chip on board broadcasts to your smartphone or tablet to report Standard Gravity and temperature. It makes use of a novel concept to track your gravity. It has a digital inclinometer on board, which measures how much it’s “tilt”-ed . The weight of the device makes it want to sink in your beer, and buoyancy of the cylinder counteracts it. The thicker your wort is, the Tilt doesn’t sink as much and as a result has a greater tilt. As your fermentation progresses and the gravity drops, the buoyancy decreases and Tilt sinks lower and becomes more vertical. The circuitry measuring the angle does some calculations and outputs the angle as a gravity measurement.
This article contains affiliate links. We may make a small percentage if you use our links to make a purchase. You won’t pay more and you’ll be supporting Homebrew Finds and more content like this. Thank you for your support!
The app running on your phone/tablet will continuously display the gravity & temperature whenever you pull it up, and every 15 minutes it will take readings and write the data to the cloud. That can either be a file maintained on the Tilt server, or they provide step-by-step directions on how to create your own Google Sheets document and keep a copy on your Google Drive. You can log readings whenever you wander by your fermentor and manually push updates to the cloud, or leave a device running within Bluetooth range so it can continually write every 15 minutes. If you’re Raspberry Pi fluent (I’m not), you can also use that for data logging, as Tilt has a couple free software downloads for your Pi to facilitate logging or display on an HDMI monitor.
Here’s some of the numbers. It’s about 3.5 inches long, and just over 1 inch in diameter. That means it can fit through a carboy neck and thus work in any size/shape fermentor. Its operating range is 32F – 185F. The SG readings have an accuracy of +/- 2 SG points (0.002), and temperature readings are +/- 2 degrees F. The 2 SG points initially sounded large to me, but after some research, I found it is in line with your typical refractometer or hydrometer (assuming you can eliminate the human factor of accurately reading these). But the data you get from Tilt is really more about tracking trends in your gravity progress over time rather than the exact gravity reading at any one point in time.
Hands on Review
Pre-Tilt, my typical fermentation monitoring process involved counting how many seconds between airlock bubbles and staring at the krausen on top (or lack thereof). After only a couple of batches fermented using the Tilt, the thought of counting bubbles seems so archaic that I couldn’t imagine fermenting without a Tilt in my fermentor. I do have one fermentor with a sampling port, but you can’t realistically get as frequent of samples (every 15 minutes for hours) to be able to recognize fermentation trends.
In my first round of evaluation, I had one Tilt in a Brewtech stainless steel Brew Bucket and one in a plastic PET fermentor. The stainless steel one was the most “Bluetooth transmission challenged” set-up. In addition to the steel walls and lid, I was fermenting using their FTS temperature control so there was a stainless cooling coil inside and a stainless temperature well. On top of that, I had it sitting on the bottom shelf of my stainless work table. With that configuration, I couldn’t pick up a signal unless I was within about 3 feet of the fermentor. I also had the fermentor in my refrigerator (steel door, not plastic) and I likewise found that with door closed I could read the signal, but had to be near it. So I would walk down to the basement, get within range, and grab a reading whenever I thought of it.
In contrast, the Tilt in my PET fermentor gave me readings all the way up to portions of the 2nd floor of my house, with the fermentor in the basement. Quite the difference. To overcome the range limitations on the stainless steel fermentor, I would sometimes leave my phone plugged in charging downstairs when home. I could try to buy a cheap tablet or used cell phone to leave down there, but for now, I managed it with frequent visits to the basement. I’m a data addict, so an extra trip to the basement to grab a data point is worth it to me.
Czech Pils Readings – Yeast Wouldn’t start until 58 deg F [Click to Enlarge]
The data plots have been really helpful in each batch where I’ve had the Tilt going. I had a lager fermenting using a Czech Pils yeast that supposedly liked the temperature range of 50 – 58F. After several days of sitting at 50F with no change in gravity, I bumped up the temperature a couple of degrees at a time until I finally saw the gravity start to drop at 58F. And when the downward trend of decreasing gravity started to tail off, I bumped up the temperature and gave the fermentor a bit of a shake. This got the downward trend going again instead of stalling out. My usual process of “krausen watching” would’ve missed this plateau, as there wasn’t much of a visual change at that point.
California Ale Yeast- Bumping up Temperature When SG Slows [Click to Enlarge]
With the Tilt, I saw my Black IPA had finished fermenting in about a week. Typically I would’ve let it go for about two weeks, watching bubbles in the airlock. And in a Pale Ale batch with good ol’ California Ale yeast, I was able to match gravity trends with my fermentation temperature control in real time- bumping up the temperature whenever I saw progress slowing. I could see trends start to show up over a couple of hours in my data log that otherwise I would’ve been blind to.
I did notice what appeared to be an offset between gravity measured with my digital refractometer for OG and FG compared to what the Tilt was reading. However, I didn’t do any kind of controlled study using the same sample of wort that I could say there was a real difference there. And since I was using the Tilt data to see gravity trends and knowing when fermentation was finished, the absolute value didn’t really matter. And on one fermentation, where I overfilled the fermentor (hard to let it go to waste, right?), the Tilt could get trapped in the top of the fermentor as the walls slanted in toward the neck of the carboy. So I learned that I need to ensure I’m not trapping the floating Tilt in the geometry of the fermentor.
Related: Our 10 Most Recent Reviews | Great Deals – Our Last 50 Finds
Summary
Overall, the Tilt exceeded my expectations. As an equipment geek, I was excited about the device itself and its unique way of measuring gravity. But having that data and seeing the trend plots opened up my fermentation world to new levels of control that otherwise simply weren’t available to me. And being able to guide the fermentation process along- avoiding stalls and knowing when fermentation is done- shaves time off the most patience-trying portion of homebrewing. It’s a glimpse into the mysterious world of yeast that makes it feel much less like dark magic and something you can control.
Integrates With Brewfather!
The Tilt Works with Brewfather App! Sign up for a free trial! – check out our Hands on Review of Brewfather
Check Current Prices & Availability
Check product pages and searches for current availability, description and pricing
- TIlt Hydrometers at MoreBeer
- Tilt Hydrometers at SoCal Brewing Supply
- Tilt Hydrometers at Great Fermentations
- Search Amazon for “Tilt Hydrometer” – offerings vary
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Black)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Blue)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Red)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Green)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer And Thermometer (Orange)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Pink)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Purple)
- Tilt Wireless Hydrometer and Thermometer (Yellow)
A note about colors: The function of all models is the same. If you want multiple TILTs you should choose different colors because your app can monitor only one of each color
TILT Wrench
- Tilt Standard Wrench + Bottle Opener – affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
Related
- Tilt Hydrometer App affiliate link, note that multiple variations of this product may be available, as such a different version may appear at this link
- Tilt Hydrometer App for iOS – via Apple App Store
iSpindel/RAPT Pill/Tilt
- Hands on Review: iSpindel Digital WiFi Hydrometer!
- RAPT Pill Digital Hydrometer from Kegland
- iSpindel WiFi Hydrometer
- If that offering has sold out or is otherwise, unavailable… search eBay for iSpindel
- How-To: iSpindel Brew Temperature Control – Using Smart Life, IFTTT and Ubidots
- TILT and iSpindel work with Brewfather App! Sign up for a free trial! – check out our Hands on Review of Brewfather
iSpindel vs TILT?
Our iSpindel Review has some thoughts comparing iSpindel and TILT
Homebrew Reviews and More! Check out our extensive homebrewing reviews library, our collection of resource posts and connect with us!
More Homebrew Finds!
- Last 50 Finds!
- Top Deals – a curated list of the best deals
- Homebrew Reviews – one of the largest libraries of homebrew reviews in existence!
- Our Top Posts – tips, how-tos, resources posts and more
- Let’s be Friends!
Recent Deals!
10 Most Recent Homebrew Resource Posts & How-To’s!
We are Homebrew Review HQ! Our 10 Most Recent Reviews
More Photos
Tilt Floating in PET Fermentor
Don’t overfill your fermentor when using the TIlt. Overfilled Fermentor That Could Trap the Tilt Against the Top
Special Thanks to Lion Brewing Solutions for providing the unit used for evaluation in this review.
By Brad Probert. Check out Brad’s website – beersnobby.com
pinnedThis post may contain affiliate links. We may make a commission when you use our links. This will never cost you extra. Thank you for supporting Homebrew Finds!
greatdeals
Inkbird ITC-308 Digital Temperature Controller| Review
Make sure the components you use are compatible and rated for your intended application. Contact manufacturer with questions about suitability or a specific application. Always read and follow manufacturer directions.
Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. tag:lnksfxd review:tiltbluetoothhydrometer rs:8 #tag:tpr
I have a bit of a problem with comparing it to counting bubbles, which we’ve known for decades is not anywhere near a reliable gauge of a finished fermentation. Partly because counting bubbles is . . . not reliable itself (due to variations in bubblers, due to non-sealed fermenters or various little leaks, etc.) but also because counting bubbles does not take into account yeast’s last stage in which it does not create CO2 – when it cleans up after itself, metabolizing the diacetyl and other off-flavor creating compounds and then settles down.
These devices are GREAT – don’t get me wrong. But comparing counting bubbles (something we all do at our earliest stages of brewing) to watching for the end of alcohol production (the end of one stage of yeast activity) is not a valid comparison.
I was disappointed also – the link from the email indicated this would have a comparison between the Tilt and the iSpiedel “Hands on Review: Tilt Bluetooth Fermentation Hydrometer – New Updates, TILT vs iSpindel” but only a link to something.
Thanks for your thoughts Mike. The comparison we have in our iSpindel review. That has a section with some thoughts on iSpindel vs Tilt https://www.homebrewfinds.com/2023/03/hands-on-review-ispindel-digital-wifi-hydrometer.html
Great review, Brad. I use mine every time, in my SS conical, and have to get close to read on my phone, but no big thing, it’s the best money I ever spent. Tracking the trends is the most important thing. I often add sugar, just after high Krausen, and this tells me when, and shows me the boost, and then drop in S.G., so cool to watch it. The biggest issue is, it shows me when it’s done. I too, am a data junkie, and this is my fix.
I suppose theoretically this can happen. However, after using this a couple times, you understand the value of this is “tracking your fermentation progress” and not “knowing the exact gravity at any given moment”. What I mean by that is you will see some noise in the fermentation process as it progresses (probably caused by these floaters in your fermentor), but when you look at the plot of your gravity over time, every 15 minutes, you can tell if gravity is still dropping, or if it’s slowed down. So you can take action with fermentation interventions like raising the temp, stirring/shaking things up, adding more yeast, whatever your pleasure is. I can say that I’ve been able to avoid stuck fermentations by seeing gravity drop starting to slow and then bumping up the temperature a degree or two. And that’s where the value of the Tilt is realized. I might see one sample read 1.020, and then 15 minutes later read 1.024. I can tell from looking at all the preceeding 15 minute samples if the 1.020 is an unrealistically low spike, or if the 1.024 is an unrealistically high spike. And as long as things are progressing, I don’t spend time wondering if it’s 1.020, 1.021, 1.022, etc.
So short answer is yes, there probably is some of this going on, but it does not detract from its overall performance/value.
Hello,
Curious if there would be any false readings with co2 bubbles and gunk sticking onto the body of the Tilt?
I got one of these (because who doesn’t love a fun new gadget) and overall it worked really well. I plopped it into my beer just after I’d added the yeast, hooked up my tablet to recording and watched it go.
Two minor issues,
1. You have to dedicate a blue-tooth device to capturing the output, a cheap Amazon Fire tablet or an old cell-phone would be perfect, but you need something
2. The app is, clunky, it works, but it’s definitely a home-grown item that is yet to have a polish.
Having said that, having a full chart of how my last beer fermented out (as well as the temp difference between my fermentation chamber thermometer and this one in the beer) is just awesome, especially if you were doing more complex beers that required halting fermentation at a particular point or anything, this would definitely be useful
This looks like a really cool piece of equipment. I have been wondering if something like this existed. I am really curious about the rate of decline in specific gravity out around two to three weeks. Do you have graphs that extend out that far?
I don’t. I typically let things ferment until bubble activity completely stopped in the airlock (around 2 weeks). I found that while tracking gravity, I pretty much got to a stable gravity plateau at about 1 week. So while tracking gravity with the Tilt, I didn’t have any fermentations in their fermentor beyond 2 weeks.
For the SS fermentor did you have to make sure it wasn’t touching the coils for the FTS?
Thanks
No, I just tossed it in. The coils take up a big portion of space inside there, so it’s “free floating” area was limited to about 1/3 of the surface area because of the coil. But I didn’t have to do anything special to try to keep it away from the coil. It just floated along on its own.
Very glad you mentioned its functionality in the SS fermentor, as I want to go that route, but also want to get a Tilt. I had assumed that a Tilt wouldn’t work surrounded by SS. Glad to hear that it’s possible.
As an aside, what’s that port in the neck of your carboy, and what’s that pipe going down the neck of the carboy in the 2nd pic?
That’s my BrewJacket Immersion heating/cooling system. It comes with that 1-way valve vent instead of an airlock. I recently did a review on that, too.
https://www.homebrewfinds.com/2018/02/hands-on-review-brewjacket-immersion-pro.html
Tilt has also been successfully integrated with BrewPi. See: https://community.brewpi.com/t/brewometer-integration/1674
I ferment in a 5 gallon corny keg. Would that be too narrow for the Tilt to function properly?
Not at all. The smooth, round sides will keep you going well. The 2.5 gallon Better Bottle fermentor is probably smaller than a corny, and it worked fine for me.
This is me thinking outside the box for other folks, but will it fit into a glass carboy by chance?
Awesome! Even better than the other 1s that are posted on here occasionally which you put in the thermowell and it also monitors but this is totally in the beer which should give more constant and accurate results to really see the changes!