njnear76

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While cleaning and sanitizing my equipment, my combination hydrometer thermometer broke. I didn't realize it was broken until I started pouring the sanitizer solution into my carboy.

I never saw any glass shards, and I caught it before the steel balls went into the carboy. I'm assuming that there is nothing really harmful in that thing since they usually use red dye and alcohol. I also used a strainer before pouring the beer in the fermenter so I assume that I will be safe from glass shards.

Should I just relax and have a home brew?

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6 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Pale Ale)
3 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Apfelwein 8)
** Double Batch Sparge Calculator And Directions

david_42

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Should be fine.

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Sluggo's Nanobrewery & Dogwash

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njnear76

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Cool. Thanks.

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6 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Pale Ale)
3 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Apfelwein 8)
** Double Batch Sparge Calculator And Directions

camiller

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Some hydros have all steel shot for weight, others may have lead shot. Have a look at the document that came with it.

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Chris

Shoestring Brewery - Better beer on a shoestring budget

eschatz

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i've broken like 4 or 5 of those damn things. Blues indeed.

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play the bass, brew the beer


"'Nobody ever lives their life all the way up except bull-fighters.'" - name that book

njnear76

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Good call. It doesn't specify in the literature. It appears to be lead shot. But, I know for a fact that none of the balls made it into the fermenter. Even if it did, They would roll out as soon as I dumped it upside down.

It's a Alla Instruments Hydrothermometer.

Should I be concerned about excess lead?

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6 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Pale Ale)
3 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Apfelwein 8)
** Double Batch Sparge Calculator And Directions

njnear76

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Does anyone have information on the 12 inch Alla Thermohydrometer?

I contacted the manufacturer and the place where I purchased the thing: Brewers Apprentice in Freehold NJ.

I don't think I will be going back to that homebrew store. The manager who worked there refused to look at the literature that came with and told me point blank that there is mercury and lead in the product.

I went to allafrance.com and they claim that they do not use mercury in their thermometers. Instead they use an oil based solution with food coloring. I'm not so concerned about that liquid since none of it escaped.

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6 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Pale Ale)
3 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Apfelwein 8)
** Double Batch Sparge Calculator And Directions

njnear76

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Update:
Alla France told me that they use lead balls in their hydrometer and that in this instance they shouldn't pose a significant risk.

I figure what the hell I'll drink it. You only live once.

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6 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Pale Ale)
3 Gallon Primary: *Empty (Planning Apfelwein 8)
** Double Batch Sparge Calculator And Directions

zoebisch01

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I always have a spare tucked away. Fortunately I still have my original Hydrometer

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Event Horizon ~ A tribute to the miracle of fermentation.

Brew what you like. Do this, and you will find your inner brewer.

camiller

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That is the way the universe works, if you always have two combs you'll never lose one, but if you only have one it will most assuredly become lost. Hydrometer breakage generally follows the same sort of pattern.

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Chris

Shoestring Brewery - Better beer on a shoestring budget