What size graduated cylinder do I need to use hydrometer

[Sandy Christmus]

For years and years I've been using the plastic case the hydrometer came
in to hold the beer to float the instrument. It holds a bit over 100ml.
I read somewhere that a 250ml graduated cylinder is needed for
hydrometer readings. I'd guess the width of the cylinder is greater
than the plastic hydrometer case so a 100ml cylinder won't be deep enough.

Any thoughts. Do I need a 250ml or can I get away with a 100ml? Thanks
for the help.

[hankus]

Don't think only of clear structures because the fact is one usually reads
over the top rather than through the often murky formerly clear side and
reconsider why U need dangerous glass.My fav is the SS spear that's removed
from a Sankey when converting it...ask your buddies or a metal recycling
place...or consider a capped off piece of PVC pipe-can be mounted on a stand
if U wish .

[Sandy Christmus]

Post by hankus
Don't think only of clear structures because the fact is one usually reads
over the top rather than through the often murky formerly clear side and
reconsider why U need dangerous glass.My fav is the SS spear that's removed
from a Sankey when converting it...ask your buddies or a metal recycling
place...or consider a capped off piece of PVC pipe-can be mounted on a stand
if U wish .

The PVC pipe is a cute idea:-)

[John Krehbiel]

Post by Sandy Christmus
For years and years I've been using the plastic case the hydrometer came
in to hold the beer to float the instrument. It holds a bit over 100ml.
I read somewhere that a 250ml graduated cylinder is needed for
hydrometer readings. I'd guess the width of the cylinder is greater
than the plastic hydrometer case so a 100ml cylinder won't be deep enough.
Any thoughts. Do I need a 250ml or can I get away with a 100ml? Thanks
for the help.
--
Sandy Christmus
Christmus Femtobrewery
Vienna, VA

A graduated cylinder is way too expensive. Just get a test jar like
the ones here:
http://www.northernbrewer.com/hydrometers.html

I've seen really cool test jars that work like a wine thief, then
return the brew to the fermenter, but I don't like to tempt fate on
the infection score.

[Sandy Christmus]

Post by John Krehbiel

Post by Sandy Christmus
For years and years I've been using the plastic case the hydrometer came
in to hold the beer to float the instrument. It holds a bit over 100ml.
I read somewhere that a 250ml graduated cylinder is needed for
hydrometer readings. I'd guess the width of the cylinder is greater
than the plastic hydrometer case so a 100ml cylinder won't be deep enough.
Any thoughts. Do I need a 250ml or can I get away with a 100ml? Thanks
for the help.
--
Sandy Christmus
Christmus Femtobrewery
Vienna, VA

A graduated cylinder is way too expensive. Just get a test jar like
http://www.northernbrewer.com/hydrometers.html
I've seen really cool test jars that work like a wine thief, then
return the brew to the fermenter, but I don't like to tempt fate on
the infection score.

I can get a 100ml plastic graduated cylinder for $3.50 and a 250ml for
$4.50 and glass models for only a little more. The test jars are $3 and
$3.95. I'd rather have the slightly more expensive graduated cylinder
because it's a multitasker (yup, Alton Brown fan). I'm always worried
about returning the tested wort or beer to the fermenter, too. I just
drink it...you know, for the tasting notes:-)

[John Krehbiel]

Post by Sandy Christmus

Post by John Krehbiel

Post by Sandy Christmus
For years and years I've been using the plastic case the hydrometer came
in to hold the beer to float the instrument. It holds a bit over 100ml.
I read somewhere that a 250ml graduated cylinder is needed for
hydrometer readings. I'd guess the width of the cylinder is greater
than the plastic hydrometer case so a 100ml cylinder won't be deep enough.
Any thoughts. Do I need a 250ml or can I get away with a 100ml? Thanks
for the help.
--
Sandy Christmus
Christmus Femtobrewery
Vienna, VA

A graduated cylinder is way too expensive. Just get a test jar like
http://www.northernbrewer.com/hydrometers.html
I've seen really cool test jars that work like a wine thief, then
return the brew to the fermenter, but I don't like to tempt fate on
the infection score.

I can get a 100ml plastic graduated cylinder for $3.50 and a 250ml for
$4.50 and glass models for only a little more. The test jars are $3 and
$3.95. I'd rather have the slightly more expensive graduated cylinder
because it's a multitasker (yup, Alton Brown fan). I'm always worried
about returning the tested wort or beer to the fermenter, too. I just
drink it...you know, for the tasting notes:-)
--
Sandy Christmus
Christmus Femtobrewery
Vienna, VA- Hide quoted text -
- Show quoted text -

Hey, if they're that cheap, go for it.

As to Alton Brown, don't pay too much attention to his brewing
advice. :-)

[John 'Shaggy' Kolesar]

Post by Sandy Christmus
For years and years I've been using the plastic case the hydrometer came
in to hold the beer to float the instrument. It holds a bit over 100ml.

Did something happen to the plastic case? I'd keep using it, if you
still have it.

Post by Sandy Christmus
I read somewhere that a 250ml graduated cylinder is needed for
hydrometer readings. I'd guess the width of the cylinder is greater
than the plastic hydrometer case so a 100ml cylinder won't be deep enough.

Yeah, it would all depend on the width of the cylinder.

Post by Sandy Christmus
Any thoughts. Do I need a 250ml or can I get away with a 100ml? Thanks
for the help.

Depends on the cylinder. You need enough so that the hydrometer will float,
other than that I don't think there's anyway to give you a better answer.


John.

[John Krehbiel]

Post by John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Did something happen to the plastic case? I'd keep using it, if you
still have it.
John.

I used the plastic case for a while, but I got tired of the stem
sticking to the side of it. I found that the test jar works well, plus
it gives me a bigger sample to taste :-)

John

[John 'Shaggy' Kolesar]

Post by John Krehbiel

Post by John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Did something happen to the plastic case? I'd keep using it, if you
still have it.
John.

I used the plastic case for a while, but I got tired of the stem
sticking to the side of it. I found that the test jar works well, plus
it gives me a bigger sample to taste :-)

I was just thinking along the lines of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".


John.

[Sandy Christmus]

Post by John 'Shaggy' Kolesar

Post by John Krehbiel

Post by John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Did something happen to the plastic case? I'd keep using it, if you
still have it.
John.

I used the plastic case for a while, but I got tired of the stem
sticking to the side of it. I found that the test jar works well, plus
it gives me a bigger sample to taste :-)

I was just thinking along the lines of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".
John.

Oh, it's broke, baby!

[Dan Logcher]

Post by John Krehbiel

Post by John 'Shaggy' Kolesar
Did something happen to the plastic case? I'd keep using it, if you
still have it.
John.

I used the plastic case for a while, but I got tired of the stem
sticking to the side of it. I found that the test jar works well, plus
it gives me a bigger sample to taste :-)

I bought a plastic hydrometer test tube from a LHBS. Its a bit longer
than it needs to be. I may trim it down some so I don't have to take
such a large sample. I do drink the samples after I measure the gravity,
but I figure it would be better to have more of the finished product.

[alebrewer]

Post by Dan Logcher
I bought a plastic hydrometer test tube from a LHBS. Its a bit longer
than it needs to be. I may trim it down some so I don't have to take
such a large sample. I do drink the samples after I measure the gravity,
but I figure it would be better to have more of the finished product.
--
Dan

I took a Sharpie pen and drew a line at the level of water it takes to
just barely float the hydrometer. At all gravities over 1.000, it
just floats higher. So, I guess I am now using a graduated cylinder;
it only has a single graduation, though...

ab