- Joined
- Feb 3, 2011
- Messages
- 470
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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
I can take pictures if you guys like, but it will take me a while to find the camera charger. Any thoughts?
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
I can take pictures if you guys like, but it will take me a while to find the camera charger. Any thoughts?