Hydrometers are fragile...

[jeremybwilson]

When hydrometers are fragile they break easily... Don't be a hydrometer breaker like this guy (me)...

...and I have a NB Bavarian Hefeweizen in the primary that is almost ready to bottle.

The Home Brew Gods mock me tonight...

 

[C-Rider]

IDK Been using the same one for over 2 years.

 

[brewkinger]

It happens.....

Search around HBT an there is a great Broken Hydrometers thread that you should definitely add to.

I recently mocked the brew Gods and gloated proudly that I had never broken one..... Until a week later when I decided to turn around with my hydrometer in my hand (holding the skinny end) and..... You know the rest!

Welcome to the "club"


Sent from my iPhone using Home Brew

 

[RM-MN]

When you replace the hydrometer, buy 2. That way you can still take the reading even though you might have broken the first one. Once I bought the 2 at one time, I haven't broken another to see if I needed the spare but it sure is comforting knowing that I have one to use if the current one breaks.

 

[kombat]

When you replace the hydrometer, buy 2. That way you can still take the reading even though you might have broken the first one. Once I bought the 2 at one time, I haven't broken another to see if I needed the spare but it sure is comforting knowing that I have one to use if the current one breaks.

I was about to suggest the exact same thing. Next time you're putting in a grain/hop order from an online HBS, throw a hydrometer into the shopping cart, too. They're pretty cheap insurance. I've got a really nifty one sitting in my "spares" box that I've never needed to use yet, but it's comforting to know it's there when the inevitable finally happens.

 

[dnslater]

Yes, always keep a backup hydrometer.

 

[Puddlethumper]

Yes, always keep a backup hydrometer.

+1 to all the above

I have a spare still wrapped in the bubble-wrap it came in. Broke several until I bought the spare. Haven't broken one since. Go figure ....

Cheers!

 

[solbes]

There's no shame in posting evidence of your broken hydrometer I personally have added 2 to the effort. My first was with me for almost 2 years, knocked it and the sample cylinder over on my garage floor while brewing. Yes I'd had a few hombrews. Don't remember what killed my second but it was only with me for 1-2 brews. I find that hydrometer to be evil.

Won't comment on my living third because I don't want to jinx it...

https://www.homebrewtalk.com/f14/official-broken-hydrometer-count-148083/

 

[JimRausch]

+1 to all the above

I have a spare still wrapped in the bubble-wrap it came in. Broke several until I bought the spare. Haven't broken one since. Go figure ....

Cheers!

Me too, knock on wood(my head)

 

[grainbill]

I've had the same hydrometer for 29 yrs, I did break a dairy thermometer once. Went out and bought two, one for a back up. Now that all my thermometers are inline so I have two thermo spares....

 

[yadilos]

Fragile, yes. But never broke one and wasn't about to when I moved this last July. So I carefully wrapped it up and boxed it for the move. Only problem is now I can't remember which box it was in. Still can't find the dang thing. It's gotta be in some unpacked box somewhere in the basement. Argh. (yeah, I did end up buying a new one!)