Hydrometer

[Broomie14]

I know there will be a post on this but cant find one can any one explain why and how to use a hydrometer for dummys 😂

 

[terrym]

Try this
How to measure Specific Gravity using a Homebrew Hydrometer - The HomeBrew Forum

 

[Broomie14]

Thanks terry sorry for all the repeat of questions... does this apply to all hydrometers ??

 

[terrym]

Thanks terry sorry for all the repeat of questions... does this apply to all hydrometers ??

Not sure what you mean by 'all hydrometers', but its meant to cover homebrew hydrometers like this, which a classic glass hydrometer type.

If you have one of these read the Guide carefully because there are two ways of taking readings depending on which make you have.

 

[Broomie14]

It is like that but i got it off my cousin and there is no instructions just the hydrometer

 

[dps51]

you don't need instructions just drop it into the tube and read the reading job done

 

[Fil]

Just be aware that the surface tension of the liquid will result in some liquid 'sticking' to the hydrometer tube at the surface level, so peer down at this and take your reading at the bottom (whoops) of the miniscus (posh word for the liquid clinging to the tube due to the surface tension)..

well thats how they taught us to read a hydrometer at school at least..

 

[terrym]

Just be aware that the surface tension of the liquid will result in some liquid 'sticking' to the hydrometer tube at the surface level, so peer down at this and take your reading at the bottom (whoops) of the miniscus (posh word for the liquid clinging to the tube due to the surface tension)..

well thats how they taught us to read a hydrometer at school at least..

Were it so simple.
Some hydrometers are meant to be read at the top of the meniscus (believe it or not).

 

[Fil]

OK, as usual im happy to be corrected when in error, but as long as you stick to one reading method and dont switch mid brew it makes little difference, both methods will indicate the same drop between OG and FG, so if all goes to plan you should be able to clarify the situation regarding a hydrometer lacking instructions after a single brew.

assume a surface level reading, take good notes regarding OG and FG, work out abv and if on target and your OG and FG were a point or two lower?higher? than the kit instructions indicate its a fair assumption its a top reading version, and if all complient ish then its a surface level reader

Its the change in gravity and the difference between start and finish that provide us with all the information we actually need. :whistle:

 

[WierdFish]

Stick it in plain water at room temp before doing anything. This should give a reading of 1 and will help you gauge how to read it.

 

[Duxuk]

Your sample needs to be at the correct temperature, usually 20C. If it's higher you need to add 0.001 to your gravity reading for every 3C above 20C and the reverse if it's below 20C. So if it measures 1.051 at 26C you correct it to 1.053. There's a calculator on the forum but it just does this simple maths.

 

[Broomie14]

Tha ks for the info he didnt give me a tube so would any thing do aslong as the hydrometer has enough room to sink to its level ??

 

[terrym]

Tha ks for the info he didnt give me a tube so would any thing do aslong as the hydrometer has enough room to sink to its level ??

I just dunk my sanitised hydrometer into the brew in the FV and take my reading off that. Good enough for me.

 

[Broomie14]

I thiught of that didnt know if it would kill it haha