Trouble Reading Hydrometer - Assistance Please

[Jiffster]

I have been trying to get an accurate reading from my hydrometer and I can't get the bubbles to clear enough to see what the actual reading is.

If I gad to guess (and I do) I would say this rad 1.016.

Would you agree?





That being said, how can I get a clear reading?

I tried spinning, dunking, etc..... can't get the bubbles to go away!

 

[flars]

Looks like it would be 1.016. I've blown the bubbles off. Get a wet face though. You can also let the sample sit for awhile until the CO2 off gasses from the sample tube.

 

[mkyl428]

1.016 is what i see

 

[stpug]

Looks like it would be 1.016. I've blown the bubbles off.

BLASPHEMY!! You SIP the bubbles to remove them

I also see 1016

 

[cjones]

the bubbles are the meniscus - a given rule of thumb is to subtract 0.002 from the meniscus . looks like you have about 1.017 from the pictures.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1445877319.162431.jpg

 

[unionrdr]

It depends on the hydrometer being used. Mine says to read at the top of the meniscus. Unlike the others I broke that instructed to read straight through.

 

[IslandLizard]

Mine is off by .002 (reads high), so I read the top of the meniscus and that gives me the correct reading. Although it's bad science, maybe that was intended.

 

[Aristotelian]

Might be easier if you don't fill so high. Then get the hydrometer close to the glass and view straight on through the glass instead of trying to view from the top.

 

[jwelch1103]

1.017

 

[Jiffster]

the bubbles are the meniscus - a given rule of thumb is to subtract 0.002 from the meniscus . looks like you have about 1.017 from the pictures.

View attachment 312016

Excellent, thanks!

It depends on the hydrometer being used. Mine says to read at the top of the meniscus. Unlike the others I broke that instructed to read straight through.

Mine says to read below meniscus.

Might be easier if you don't fill so high. Then get the hydrometer close to the glass and view straight on through the glass instead of trying to view from the top.

The view from the side was about the same or maybe a little more difficult (for me) to discern.

View attachment ImageUploadedByHome Brew1445882394.475942.jpg

 

[stpug]

Put your hydrometer in appropriate temperature water (distilled is best) and determine where you should be reading your hydrometer from. Paper can move; things can become uncalibrated; and the only real way to know where you should be reading from on a hydrometer is to determine for yourself with the equipment you'll be using.

My hydro also reads from top of meniscus.

 

[Aristotelian]

The view from the side was about the same of Pathans maybe a little more difficult (for me) to discern.

If you can nudge the hydrometer right up flush to the side, you should be able to see the numbers and markings through the side looking straight on.