23 OctHydrometer – All about Hydrometers

A hydrometer is a must have for the home brew maker.

A hydrometer is generally built of glass and includes a cylindrical stem along with a bulb weighted with mercury or lead making it float vertically. The must being analyzed is added to a tall container, normally a graduated cylinder, and then the hydrometer is softly lowered in to the must until it floats easily. The point where the top of the must touches the stem on the hydrometer is observed. Hydrometers generally include a scale within the stem, in order for the specific gravity to be read. Hydrometer readings will need to be noted both just before and following fermentation.

A hydrometer displays:

• Specific Gravity from .990 to 1.170
• Balling or Brix from 0 to +38% sugar by weight
• Potential Alcohol by Volume from 0 to +22%.

Specialized Types of Hyrdrometers

• Acidometer / Acidimeter: An acidometer is a hydrometer applied to calculate the specific gravity of an acid
• Alcoholometer: An alcoholometer is a hydrometer which is employed for identifying the alcohol power of fluids.
• Antifreeze Tester: An additional automotive use of hydrometers is evaluating the quality of antifreeze used for motor engine cooling.
• Barkometer: A barkometer is adjusted to check the strength of tanning liquors utilized in tanning leather items.
• Battery Hydrometer: A hydrometer calibrated employed for servicing electric automobile batteries
• Lactometer / Galactometer: A lactometer (or galactometer) is a hydrometer utilized to examine milk products
• Saccharometer: A saccharometer is a hydrometer utilized for analyzing the quantity of sugars in a solution.
• Urinometer: A urinometer is a healthcare hydrometer intended for urinalysis.

Reference Charts for your Home Brew Hydrometer

• Hydrometer Conversion
• Hydrometer Temperature Conversion