Digital Hydrometers?

does anyone know 1) if they make a digital hydrometer and 2) where i could pick one up?

 

Gotta love google.

http://www.alber.com/ProdPageDMA.htm

 

Looks like you can break a LOT of glass hydrometers before you come out ahead on the cost of that baby.

You can try Googling for "density meter" for more hits.

 

http://www.factorydirect2you.com/di.html

$50 doesn't seem like too steep of a price. Although I can't make out the name of the manufacturer to get an specs on the device.

EDIT - It is under the wine/brewing section but it looks more like something that would measure humidity in the air, considering the labels on the thing.

 

If I had to guess that only measures Humidity and temprature. I only say this because looking at the picture it has the words "Home Weather Station" and "Home Comfort Station" on it.

 

I don't think the home weather station is going to survive being dunked in your wort.

 

I just noticed that... weird that it is under the wine and bar section.

 

That's a humidistat, not a hydrometer. Someone over at FD is FK.

 

If you're storing wine long-term, you want to know the humidity.

 

couldn't you use a refractometer? Not sure of the scale they use but isn't it close to the same info? disolved sugars in a solution?

 

Brix, I believe (might be plato). In either case, it's pretty easy to convert to specific gravity. You've got to be careful using a refractometer with fermented wort, as the inclusion of alcohol in the solution messes with the numbers - but BeerSmith (and I believe ProMash) can make the adjustments for you.

 

It's an understandable mistake. It's actually a hygrometer instead of a hydrometer like they advertise.

Although if they sell them they should know the difference.

 

A digital hydrometer seems awfully silly for most applications. It'd likely be just as fragile as a glass one, and far more expensive.

However, if I could integrate its output into my brewing software, then I'd be for it!

 

How the hell ya supposed to drink your sample with that thing.

 

Refractometers read in specific gravity. The are very important in salt water aquariums because they are much more precise and accurate than a hydrometer. You can get them for 40 to 100 depending on the brand and quality. Just look on ebay or online stores in the aquarium section.

 

I remember this thread... *harp music*
http://www.homebrewtalk.com/showthread.php?t=9647&highlight=invent

 

i've been using my new refractometer for about 10 days now and im in love. i have beersmith permanently open and running on my computer so it's no big deal to plug the numbers in. i've compared the correction it does for fermenting wort or finished beer with a hydrometer reading and it's dead on. you don't even need to use the software to convert from brix to SG when you're dealing with unfermented wort. 1 brix = 1.004. unless you like expensive gadgets that are prone to breaking get a refractometer.

 

I must admit, cooling wort to take readings is a real pain.

I don't like christmas but I may give in and ask for a refractometer.

 

SenorWanderer is right on. I've had my refractometer for about a month now and love it. Bought on ebay for around $40. Never want to use a hydrometer again. Make sure you get one that has automatic temperature correction (ATC)

Morebeer has an excel spreadsheet that converts brix to density and accounts for alcohol levels during fermentation. They have a video demonstration: http://morebeer.com/learn_vids/vids_refract?PHPSESSID=dafd927fcd19db4a07df566e6222016f