A hydrometer measures the relative density of a liquid relative to the density of water. This is referred to as Specific Gravity. Sugar water will have a density that is greater than pure water. Ethanol has a density that is less than water. The hydrometer will sink further into a solution of alcohol and not sink as far into a sugar solution. Specific Gravity is unitless. It defines the ratio of the density of a solution to the density of water. Specific Gravity is calculated like so, Specific Gravity = (Density g/cm)/(1 g/cm).

Typically a hydrometer is used to determine the sugar content of something that can be fermented. This could possibly be wine must, beer or whiskey mash and even things that do not have anything to do with making alcoholic beverages. Hydrometers are scaled and calibrated for each distinct purpose. For instance, a hydrometer used to determine the sugar content and potential alcohol in a whiskey mash will usually measure the Specific Gravity in a range between ~0.990 - 1.180. If you're measuring distilled spirits you must have a liquor hydrometer that will have a proof range from 0-200 or a tralle range from 0-100. Here is some example data that shows the Specific Gravity of some typical solutions.

Pure Water: Specific Gravity = 1.0

Pure Ethanol: Specific Gravity = 0.785

50% Ethanol: Specific Gravity = 0.8925

To measure the sugar content and potential alcohol of a mash you'll need to use a beer and wine hydrometer. Simply take a sample of the mash and pour it into a tall graduated cylinder. The graduated cylinder might be a jar or something that is narrow and tall. Nevertheless, make sure that the cylinder is as tall or taller compared to the hydrometer. Next, lower the hydrometer into the graduated cylinder until it's floating. Give it a little spin like a top to shake loose any air bubbles that might adhere to the hydrometer. Now you are ready to read the hydrometer. Read the number on the hydrometer that is at the same level as the liquid. You can now determine sugar content and potential alcohol presuming that both measurements are on the hydrometer.

To discover more about using a hydrometer check out the article "What is a Hydrometer?" If you are curious about how to make whiskey, discovering about hydrometers will be crucial to your success.

Shop for brand name Discount Microwave Ovens below:

	Panasonic NN-H965BF Luxury Full-Size 2.2-Cubic-Foot 1,250-Watt Microwave Oven, Black List Price: $199.99 Sale Price: $150.99 Used From: $168.09
	This gigantic microwave oven services the family that is constantly eating on the run but has gourmet tastes that go beyond packaged frozen dinners. It is true that the oven takes up a great deal of counter space (measurements are 23-7/8 by 14 by 19-7/16 inches) but much of that space can be attributed to the large interior capacity of 2...

	Panasonic Prestige NN-SD997S, 2.2cuft 1250 Watt Sensor Microwave Oven, Stainless Steel List Price: $289.99 Sale Price: $213.83 Used From: $119.95
	2.2 cuft "Prestige", 1250 Watts of High Power, One-Touch Sensor Cooking/Reheat, Stainless Fingerprint Resistant Face and Wrap, Dial Control with Blue LED Operation Guide for easy Programming, Half Mirror Door, 6-Digit Display, Keep Warm/More-Less Control, Popcorn Key, Multi-Lingual Menu Action Screen, Inverter Turbo Defrost, Quick Minute,

	Oster OGG61403 1-2/5-Cubic-Feet Microwave Oven, Stainless Steel List Price: $115.33 Sale Price: $84.00 Used From: $93.60
	1200-Watt of total cooking power.

	RCA RMW742 0.7-Cubic Feet Microwave Oven, White Sale Price: $86.94
	With a 0.7-Cubic-Foot capacity, this compact RCA microwave oven allows for quick and convenient meal preparation. The unit's one-touch auto-cook menu takes the guesswork out of cooking popularly microwaved foods including popcorn, baked potatoes, pizza, beverages, and frozen dinners, while its reheat button makes it easy to warm food items back up again...

	Oster OGG3701 .7-Cubic Foot 700-Watt Digital Microwave Oven List Price: $99.99 Sale Price: $72.35
	Oster one-touch cook settings and 10 adjustable power levels, this 0.7-Cubic Feet microwave provides up to 700-Watt of power for preparing various kinds of food with ease. Express cooking and weight defrost.

CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS ON THIS SITE, COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.

Tags: alcohol, density, fermeting, Food, home brew, hydrometer, mash, science, specific gravity, whiskey, wine

This entry was posted on Friday, February 3rd, 2012 at 9:49 am and is filed under Food. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.