HOW TO READ A HYDROMETER

To use a hydrometer correctly, place it in the beer or wine to be tested. Either Lift or spin the hydrometer to dislodge any gas bubbles that may have gathered on it, then allow it to settle and float freely. Take a reading directly off the scale at the surface of the liquid.

The sole use of the hydrometer is to show the specific gravity (S.G) or "thickness" of any liquid. For the wine or beer maker it therefore show the concentration of sugar in solution, however it can also indicate the concentration of alcohol in a beer or wine. By taking a reading at the start of fermentation and another reading at the end of fermentation and dividing the difference by 7.36 will show the alcohol produced, e.g.: Start reading of 1085 and an end reading of 1005 will give a difference of 80 and dividing this by 7.36 will give an alcohol content of 10.9% by volume. With the addition of 1 teaspoon of sugar to your beer bottles your alcohol content will increase by 1/2 of 1%.

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Tasmanian Home Brewing Supplies  179 Elizabeth Street Hobart 62 346230