Hydrometer problems?

[jeff64]

Just returned to home brewing again after 20 years, decided to to make the Festival Landlords Finest. Read loads of posts on here and have learnt loads, so short brewed it to 21L to raise the strength a little, took the SG and got 1035, thought that is a little low. Decided to test my hydrometer in water, got a reading of 990? should be 1000? Its an old plastic boots hydrometer, could there be something wrong with it? :wha:

 

[PD]

In clean water your hydrometer should read 1.000...Its faulty.

 

[wigwamheed]

What temp were u taking readings at and what temp is it calibrated for?

 

[jeff64]

The temp of the brew was 21, and just cold water from the tap. Dont know what temp its calirated for, just an old boots beer hydrometer, could be 25 years old.

 

[dennisking]

Most hydrometers are calibrated for 20c. So I would try it with tap water at 20c.

 

[jeff64]

Tried it with tap water at 20c, 993 or there abouts, bought a new one from Wilkinsons and smack on 1000. Anyone coming back to home brewing after a long lay off like me, might be worth checking theirs? :!: