Hydrometer: Triple Scale #6800 (USA) vs. Triple Scale Beer & Wine (FR)

Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum

Help Support Homebrew Talk - Beer, Wine, Mead, & Cider Brewing Discussion Forum:

This site may earn a commission from merchant affiliate links, including eBay, Amazon, and others.

dbsmith

Supporting Member
HBT Supporter
Joined
Feb 3, 2011
Messages
470
Reaction score
114
So my hydrometers are giving me a headache lately. I first bought the french model hydrometer, and it seemed alright, except that it leaned ever so slightly and seemed to have an attraction to the edge of the sample tube. This bothered me because it was kind of annoying to get it straight to read it correctly. So, I went to the store and bought another hydrometer, this one made in the USA. The new hydrometer makes the old French one seem perfect comparatively.

For instance, I'm using both to read some water at 72.9 degrees F right now.
They read approx. (without correction for temp):

USA: 1.013
Fr: 0.999

Now, when I take a reading of my beer here are the readings (FG which is predicted to be 1.013, and not accounting for temp correction, which is 67.3 degrees F btw):

USA: 1.022
Fr: 1.014

Wow, such a difference! Whatever the case, I'm sure the French hydromter must be more correct. While both of these hydrometers are calibrated at 60 degrees F, the correction for each one is much different. Here is how they differ:

USA correction:

70 add .001
77 add .002
84 add.003
etc.

French:
66.6 add .001
72.4 add .002

While these scales are different, I can't see it accounting for so much of a difference in readings. Am I doing something wrong, or did I just get a really bad hydrometer? And I'm not trying to start a USA vs. France thread either, it's just that both hydrometers are called "Triple Scale" and there is no clear name brand. I think the French one may be from a company called ALLA? And perhaps the USA from 'True Brew'. I'm not sure. On a positive note, the beer from the sample tastes pretty decent for being warm and uncarbonated :mug:

I can take pictures if you guys like, but it will take me a while to find the camera charger. Any thoughts?
 
Ouch, I'd guess the only way the USA made model is that far off is if the paper inside has dislodged and slid down (or is that up?). You might be able to tell, on mine the paper is held in place with a little dab of red glue.

Either way, that one is way out off from standard 1.000 in water (I think technically you should use distilled to calibrate, but I wouldn't sweat being off 1.001, personally). I'd take it back and get a replacement.

Blake
 
On a positive note, the beer from the sample tastes pretty decent for being warm and uncarbonated :mug:

That is ultimately what counts:) ...the taste. Maybe borrow a few hydrometers and a refractometer to compare numbers. I've had similar issues with thermometers.
 
Here's some pictures:

2w6uioy.jpg


bgo65e.jpg


imqx3o.jpg


Does the red glue look normal? You can see the two hydrometers floating in 63 degree water.

:confused:
 
Back
Top