6
votes
Accepted
Refractometer vs. Hydrometer
They are both very accurate when used correctly.
It's really best to use both
Refractometer is only accurate for OG readings. Benefit is a few drops for sample instead of 100-200ml. This is very ...
- 18.5k
6
votes
Accepted
What does a gravity reading really mean?
Specific gravity measures density, which is mass/volume. If you measured the total mass of your system (3000g + 300g) you would have gotten 3300 grams, but the volume is not 3000 ml because you added ...
- 344
5
votes
Can I leave my hydrometer in the carboy to tell when fermentation is complete?
The biggest issue in doing that is that krausen will get stuck to both your hydrometer and your carboy walls.
Even if you wait for the krausen to die off before dumping your hydrometer in, you will ...
- 1,460
5
votes
Can I leave my hydrometer in the carboy to tell when fermentation is complete?
For the benefit you'd gain from leaving your hydro in there (maybe saving some volume as you won't take samples) I think it wouldn't really be worth your time as I imagine it would be pretty difficult ...
- 91
5
votes
Accepted
What is the name for this gigantic dropper or pipe that a person use to suck liquid out of a container?
It is called a 'wine thief'. This should be readily available in any homebrew shop. Possibly in several sizes and qualities even.
- 3,645
4
votes
Hydrometer broke, no original gravity
If it was an extract batch, it's easier to calculate the OG than to measure it. If it was all grain and you know your efficiency, we can calculate it pretty closely from the recipe.
- 33.4k
4
votes
Refractometer vs. Hydrometer
I haven't used a hydrometer in years. I think they are worthless and you waste a fair amount of beer using one. You can do a very close estimate of your alcohol content by just using only a ...
- 3,012
3
votes
Correct temperature effect on Specific gravity
Quick but not very helpful answer, I am pretty sure there is some sort of equation that can be used for this I am not sure where I have seen it. I am going to do some digging through some book and the ...
- 6,993
3
votes
Refractometer vs. Hydrometer
Which of these two tools is more accurate/precise in taking gravity measurements?
Hydrometer. In my experiance.
It could be my cheap refractometer but i've noticed some inaccurate readings and I ...
- 671
3
votes
How to predict ABV in cider?
you can predict ABV by using the yield calculation, Safcider gives 1% of ABV for 16.3g/l
1049 ~ 135 g/l
therefore
135/16.3 => 8.2% ABV
Or you can get more complex by looking through these ...
- 6,993
3
votes
Accepted
Beer Bug - How does this work and how can I replicate it?
The Beerbug is simple on how it gets its SG readings.
It uses a weighted buoy, or other contraption that sinks in the wort.
then it reads how much it weighs, the lighter it is the thicker the wort.
...
- 1,759
3
votes
Measure remaining sugar in kombucha brew w/ hydrometer?
You can always measure the specific gravity of any liquid with a hydrometer, but unless you know the starting gravity (as in, pre-fermentation), the reading won't actually tell you much. This on top ...
- 6,417
3
votes
Alternatives to a hydrometer?
Refractometer that others mentioned here are very easy to use. Since there are many correction calculators available online, the error of reading won't be terrible.
Seems that no one suggested the ...
- 211
2
votes
Alternatives to a hydrometer?
As others have suggested, a refractometer is probably the way to go.
However, if you've just broken a hydrometer and want to get your SG right now, you should be able to use a scale. I haven't tried ...
- 21
2
votes
Can I leave my hydrometer in the carboy to tell when fermentation is complete?
I dropped mine into the glass carboy and left it in (wasn't an easy way to get it out). It was a bit difficult to read but I managed. Removed it carefully after bottling. No disasters.
- 21
2
votes
Temperature calibration of ºBrix to SG conversion
Conversion from Brix to SG doesn't require temp adjustment.
Only the reading you measure needs to be adjusted for temp. Or better yet zero out your refractometer with distilled water that's the same ...
- 18.5k
2
votes
Temperature calibration of ºBrix to SG conversion
Both Brix and specific gravity are temperature sensitive but the conversion seems to be independent of that fact. That is, if you start with the correct value in Brix, your converted SG value will be ...
- 1,890
2
votes
I didn't know I had to take a reading before fermentation. I crushed my own fruit so no kit to use for calculation
Might be a duplicate here: How to calculate alcohol without OG reading?
It appears that there is a formula using your Specific Gravity from a hydrometer and if you pick up a refractometer, a ...
- 411
2
votes
I didn't know I had to take a reading before fermentation. I crushed my own fruit so no kit to use for calculation
There is some rather complex math that can calculate an OG, but requires a hydrometer and a refractometer reading post fermentation.
Brewzor Calculator (android app) and Beersmith have these formulas....
- 18.5k
2
votes
Accepted
Fruit making hydrometer readings unreliable
Hydrometer will be effected by anything that will suspend in and displace a solution.
Your best bet with not changing your process (straining) would be to take your OG readings with a refractometer. ...
- 18.5k
2
votes
Accepted
How to predict ABV in cider?
To add to the other answers, what you are looking for to determine how much sugar to add to your must (juice) is a Chaptalization calculator.
Link to calculator here
What this calculator tells you ...
- 136
2
votes
Refractometer vs. Hydrometer
I recently switched too. One problem I noticed with the smaller sample is that if you pull from the top of the vessle you may get some oils or other less dense particles collected at the top. This ...
- 328
2
votes
Urgent help for a new beginner
I think you mean a 5 gallon batch (19 L)? I don't know your specific recipe, but the corn sugar is usually for priming the bottles for carbonation after the beer is done. So you would boil your ...
- 608
2
votes
Still struggling to read my Hydrometer
I'm not sure how to answer your first question, but I can answer your second question. A hydrometer doesn't measure potential alcohol; that's something we as the user derive from the information. What ...
- 560
2
votes
High final Brix reading, 1.00 SG
Refractometers become less accurate once the yeast has started fermenting the sugars into alcohol. It fails to take into account that there is sugar, alcohol, and water in solution, and only measures ...
- 560
1
vote
Temperature calibration of ºBrix to SG conversion
I believe the answers from @Evil Zymurgist and @thesquaregroot have missed the point. Nowadays, for brewers at least, the SG of a sample is conventionally reported as its density relative to water at ...
- 194
1
vote
Correct temperature effect on Specific gravity
I cool my wort to around 23 degC before taking a reading. Only takes a few minutes to cool a test tube from 100 degC to 23 degC
- 531
1
vote
Correct temperature effect on Specific gravity
It depends on the hydrometer. Older hydrometers tend to be calibrated at 15C (59F), and more recent ones at 20C (68F).
Yes, there has been some attempts to correct for an offset in temperature. ...
- 711
1
vote
Correct temperature effect on Specific gravity
It actually depends on the hydrometer. They can vary a lot beween makers. Each one has thier own temperature adjustment chart. Because they can have different displacements and scales on them.
- 18.5k
1
vote
Hydrometer broke, no original gravity
Yes, but it is expensive to buy the toys, as M__ said. To send the beer away for tests is also expensive.
In the words of the great Charlie Papazian: Relax, don't worry, have a homebrew.
OG is not ...
- 2,466
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