Using a Hydrometer

Using a Hydrometer

Instructions: Pour the liquid to be measured in a high measuring glass. The type of container is irrelevant as long as it is high enough to allow the hydrometer to float freely. Lower the hydrometer into the liquid, when it is floating freely a reading is taken at the surface. The white scale indicates + and the colored shows minus, that is, hydrometer degrees over and under 0.

The specific gravity of water is 1 000 grams (1 kg) per liter. This is 1000 on the hydrometer

Test the accuracy of your hydrometer by using water.

Fermented degrees on the hydrometer divided by 8 = % alcohol by volume

Measure the must before fermentation begins,
make a note of the hydrometer reading.

Measure again when bottling.
The reading divided by 8 = the % alcohol by volume.

Reading on start _________________

Reading on finish ________________

Total fermented degrees ____________________

Start

Finished

Original Gravity	Dividing Factor	Potential Alcohol	Final SG After Complete Fermentation
1.160	6.82	24.26	0.9945
1.140	6.87	20.89	0.9965
1.120	6.93	17.55	0.9983
1.100	7.00	14.23	1.0004
1.080	7.09	10.93	1.0024
1.060	7.20	7.67	1.0048
1.040	7.39	4.38	1.0076
1.020	7.52	1.17	1.0112

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