Buyer beware products

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itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#2693069 15-Apr-2021 10:12

Sorry @ageorge, you are in the wrong. Alcometers are the opposite, the more it sinks the higher the alcohol percentage. Although I would argue an alcometer is useless at 100 proof only. I guess if you are wanting a very specific proof then this could be useful, but with my booze 2%+- is close enough

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ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2693088 15-Apr-2021 10:42

itxtme:

Sorry @ageorge, you are in the wrong. Alcometers are the opposite, the more it sinks the higher the alcohol percentage. Although I would argue an alcometer is useless at 100 proof only. I guess if you are wanting a very specific proof then this could be useful, but with my booze 2%+- is close enough

OK I hear you, but isnt the comparison to water as the start point?

If I use another meter on the same brew, water stops at 0, my brew stops at 6-8% ; the heavier sg, the higher the alcohol reading:

gbwelly

1238 posts

Uber Geek

#2693109 15-Apr-2021 10:59

Remember one meter is measuring sugar (or your carb of choice) and the other is calibrated for measuring ethanol. They can't be used interchangeably.

gbwelly

1238 posts

Uber Geek

#2693111 15-Apr-2021 11:04

ageorge:

the heavier sg, the higher the alcohol reading:

The only way to calculate alcohol percentage with that type of meter is comparing the start and finish sg. The % numbers are potential alcohol based on the amount of sugar present, not an actual reading of the amount of alcohol.

ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2693112 15-Apr-2021 11:10

gbwelly:

The only way to calculate alcohol percentage with that type of meter is comparing the start and finish sg. The % numbers are potential alcohol based on the amount of sugar present, not an actual reading of the amount of alcohol.

So you are saying the one bottom of page 1 and the one on this page are both for measuring sugar content, and the one I call junk is for ethanol?

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek

#2693210 15-Apr-2021 12:21

Alcometers are calibrated to the density of pure ethanol, vs hydromter is calibrated to water.

gbwelly

1238 posts

Uber Geek

#2693221 15-Apr-2021 12:51

ageorge:

So you are saying the one bottom of page 1 and the one on this page are both for measuring sugar content, and the one I call junk is for ethanol?

Yup! You could test it on some vodka and see if the reading agrees with what it says on the bottle.

ageorge

626 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2693258 15-Apr-2021 13:49

gbwelly:

Yup! You could test it on some vodka and see if the reading agrees with what it says on the bottle.

No vodka, but have gin and rum. Thanks for your advice here, I've learnt something.
Won't throw it away just yet.

fahrenheit

757 posts

Ultimate Geek

#2693297 15-Apr-2021 15:26

ageorge:

No vodka, but have gin and rum

The gin should measure fairly closely, but depending on the rum, it could be heavily dosed with sugar and glycerine etc and will completely throw the reading out. Best to stick with a clean white spirit for measuring/calibrating.

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