Official Broken Hydrometer Count

[MichalekBrewing]

2273 AND 2274 at the same time. Just yesterday I took a final reading on a stout and the first hydro rolled off the counter and shattered in the "protective" tube

So I grabbed my backup and the dog bumped the wife who bumped the counter and timber... the second hydro and my test jar both in pieces

GO ME!

 

[Hopsimus]

2275. I was trying to "save time" by filling my sample jar (with hydrometer in it) directly from the siphon tubing I was using to transfer to a bottling bucket. The flow of beer pushed the sample jar over and off the countertop. Beer went everywhere. Hydrometer broke into a hundred small pieces. I started cursing. I now use a fermenter which has a valve on the side, so I can easily take samples safely and whenever desired.

 

[Bigfly]

2276 I keep forgetting to let the hydrometer slide to the bottom rather than drop it in the test cylinder. Fortunately I had a spare that I replaced with the on I broke.

 

[Desert_Sky]

2263. Had one of those "lab grade" hydrometers that only measure from .98 to 1.02, to get a good look at the finish gravity.

Slipped from my fingers, only banged just a little bit on the sink, and then lots of little lead balls all over the sink.

I just ordered two more. One, obviously, as a spare.

I haven't used a hydrometer since 2006 [emoji12]

 

[JimRausch]

2277.
Damn it, I shouldn't have bragged back on 3/13. I broke the midrange one I was using to replace the low range. Same way too. Going to my LHBS tomorrow to see if they have any precision labgrade ones.

 

[Garnet Heart]

2278 - Finishing Hydrometer last night after measuring gravity. ugh

 

[501irishred]

Going to my LHBS tomorrow to see if they have any precision labgrade ones.

Assume that’s because you’ve had such great luck this month with delicate glass objects? In for a penny, in for a pound! Why break $15 widgets, when $50 widgets are readily available! [emoji482][emoji12]

 

[JimRausch]

Assume that’s because you’ve had such great luck this month with delicate glass objects? In for a penny, in for a pound! Why break $15 widgets, when $50 widgets are readily available!

You know me so well!!!

 

[VirginiaHops1]

I guess I dodged a bullet. I just started brewing but while my first batch was fermenting my 2 year old girl was messing with my brew stuff, in the corner of the room I ferment in. I didn't pay much attention because she was just banging around the spoon and kettle and whatnot but then I look up and she has my hydro(out of the plastic sleeve) and is wildly waving it around. Grabbed it in time, but I'm sure I'll be back here soon...

 

[EnglishAndy]

Somewhere on this page the count jumps up by 500!!

 

[shoengine]

That was @MichalekBrewing

 

[mpmccann]

On my 3rd but I use my refractometer most of the time now.

 

[JimRausch]

2279
My 3rd this year after going 6 1/2 years stuck at 1 broken ( others have been previously accounted for). I must be getting fracking old.

 

[jimdkc]

Error in post #1471... Running total should be 2279

 

[IslandLizard]

Somewhere on this page the count jumps up by 500!!

That was @MichalekBrewing

Error in post #1471... Running total should be 2279

Thanks for that keen observation!
I've fixed the erroneous post and adjusted all tallies since.

Next time, please "Report" the post (click on the [Report] button) so moderators are aware of the glitch and we can fix it early.

We're on 2279!

 

[IslandLizard]

Mine got drunk on a Barley wine and ended up in a murder suicide scenario with thermometer nr 5 a year or so ago Since that black day I just let the yeast do what they do.

On my 3rd but I use my refractometer most of the time now.

Should these be added?
Or were they already included before?

 

[BrewZer]

I'm still on my first, which I've had since the late '90's... No brag, just fact, but I thought I'd document that so when it goes, I'll be all set to add to the total.

 

[beto998]

Over 15 years, 4 total. I don't own one anymore. Last one I had lasted less than a week so I gave up. I brew once or twice a month, now with refractometer only. I used to check the refractometer against the hydrometer, and I think I have enough data to trust the charts within a point or two. And really, what am I going to do about it if my OG is out by 1 or 2 points - or my FG is out by 1 or 2 points? It's still beer and pretty damned good beer.

Total: 2283

 

[jfhoupt]

#2 had collision this week with a sink. Wife was smart when she purchased purchased two and put one up where I couldn't get to/know about it.

 

[IslandLizard]

#2 had collision this week with a sink. Wife was smart when she purchased purchased two and put one up where I couldn't get to/know about it.

Very smart, yes! How could she know, huh?

Have you added both of them to our tally?

 

[JB_Brewing2]

Yesterday my hydrometer (my 3rd) was in the filled graduated cylinder when I bumped it while it was sitting on top of the keezer. The cylinder went over sending the sample and the hydrometer onto the concrete floor. We're talking a 3 foot drop onto concrete. To my amazement, the hydrometer was intact, still whole!!! Last one I broke never left the top of the keezer. Unbelievable.

 

[jfhoupt]

Very smart, yes! How could she know, huh?

Have you added both of them to our tally?

OOPS, I didn’t....add 1 more for me. Final: Hydrometers:0 Dropped: 2‍

 

[IslandLizard]

OOPS, I didn’t....add 1 more for me. Final: Hydrometers:0 Dropped: 2‍

That makes it 2284!

 

[jiMithing83]

That makes it 2284!

After 5 years, mine finally died. The blinds fell off the wall and smashed it to pieces on the counter where it was air drying. I told SWMBO the universe wanted me to get a new one that comes with a thinner sample tube.

2285!

 

[BrewMan13]

So in all my 12+ years of brewing I've been using the same hydrometer. Last night it finally bit the dust: was carrying a bunch of odds and ends down to my mancave, and when I bent over to move one of my cleaning solution bottles out of the way it slipped out

2286!

 

[mscroggi]

I have just broken my third (in about 4 months). I ran across this thread because after the last break, I was wondering if anyone had any info about a more durable design. I have a refractometer too, but with FG, I need the hydrometer.

I just ran across the 'Herculometer' Made of polycarbonate plastic instead of glass..

Anyone have any experience with them?

https://www.northernbrewer.com/products/herculometer-precision-hydrometer-1000-1070

[Moderator]That puts us at 2289!

 

[mscroggi]

After breaking several glass hydrometers, I have to ask. Why isn't everyone use one of these polycarbonate hydrometers? The reviews are good. The price is inline.

For me, the only downside is that It it's disturbing to line the pockets of Budweiser, but it appears that Northern Brewer is the only company that sells these things.

 

[arturo7]

I have just broken my third (in about 4 months).

2289

 

[beerbomb]

This past winter I had a hydrometer nightmare.
I broke 3 within 1 month.
I get nervous when I pick up my hydrometer mow!

[Moderator]So that brings us to 2292!

 

[TwistedGray]

Wonderful, yet another damn thread to follow.