Which hydrometer do you guys like?

My brew partner and I have had some issues with hydrometers recently ranging from breaking them to wildly inaccurate readings, even when corrected for temperature. We're not sure we want to go the refractometer route so what is out best option? Which hydrometers do you guys like? Are we just unlucky with the cheaper ones or is there a superior alternative we are missing?

I use a cheap one and haven't had a problem at all.

I'm on my third and it's a cheap one.

I currently have a cheap one as well, but I've been eye-balling these Precision Hydrometers. They have the normal hydrometer scale stretched across three separate hydrometers, so they're supposed to be more accurate.

I don't know what model mine is, but it has a built in thermometer and temp correction for the hydro reading. I love that! I know it wasn't real expensive...under $20.

I use cheap ones because they break too easily, and because they haven't done me wrong yet. Cheap works great, just make sure it's calibrated - test in 60 water. Even if it's off you can account for the error.

Would love to have a refractometer, though.

trumpetbeard said:

I use cheap ones because they break too easily, and because they haven't done me wrong yet. Cheap works great, just make sure it's calibrated - test in 60 water. Even if it's off you can account for the error.

Would love to have a refractometer, though.

Click to expand...

I've got 2 refractometers that I quit using becasue they were inaccurate.

I found a trick to keep from breaking hydrometers....buy an extra one! I haven't broken one since I bought an extra.

Denny said:

I found a trick to keep from breaking hydrometers....buy an extra one! I haven't broken one since I bought an extra.

Click to expand...

lol same thing for me....was breaking them right and left, then bought 2 as a precaution and knock on wood it's been a year and I havnt broke another one

I have this, and I love it for measuring final gravity:

http://www.williamsbrewing.com/BREWERS-EDGE-BOTTLING-HYDROMETER-P529C74.aspx

someone just needs to make a triangular one that will not roll off of a table! I'd spend an extra few bucks for that!

Guitarboarder said:

someone just needs to make a triangular one that will not roll off of a table! I'd spend an extra few bucks for that!

Click to expand...

That's a great idea! Why hasn't anyone thought of that before??

Get a refractometer for brewday and another hydrometer for finished beer. And stop dropping them on the floor!

petey_c said:

That's a great idea! Why hasn't anyone thought of that before??

Click to expand...

I know right! ever since my first broken one.......... many hydrometers ago... I thought that there had to be one but I've never found one and I'm not a precision glass former calibrator guy otherwise I would make and sell them.

Here's a digital hydrometer. Not likely to roll off a table. A bit pricey though... $2400.00 +
http://www.katsenv.com/products/sg-1000-digital-hydrometer-non-data-logging-range-1000-1300.aspx
I know, I know, it's for batteries.

12 year old hydrometer, secret is never lay them down mine always sits in a tube filled with star-san has a cap for storage. That said will now break in the next brew day!