UNDERSTANDING
A
HYDROMETER
- A hydrometer is simply an instrument for measuring the density of a
liquid.
- It is placed in the liquid it is going to measure.
- The denser the liquid, the higher it floats.
- Measurement is taken by observing the level of the liquid on one of 3
scales on the stem of the hydrometer as it floats.
- We are usually concerned with only 2 scales: the Potential Alcohol
and the Specific Gravity
- The more sugar in the liquid, the more alcohol that can be made and
the more dense/heavier the liquid is.
- On the potential alcohol scale, you can read an estimate of how much
alcohol can be made.
- On the specific gravity scale, you can read a comparison of this
liquid with plain water.
- After fermentation, you take a second reading that tells you how much
is left.
- Subtract the second potential alcohol reading from the first and this
will tell you how much alcohol is in the liquid.
- The second specific gravity reading will tell you how much
unfermentable dextrins you have or that your fermentation is or is not complete..
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