Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Other discussions for folks new to the wonderful craft of home distilling.

Moderator: Site Moderator

Drunken Unicorn
Novice
Posts: 94
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:14 pm
Location: Three Inches to the Left

Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by Drunken Unicorn »

Recently, I noticed that when I cut my rums, the reading never comes out right after the cut.

For example, if I read 80% and then I add water that should cut it to 40%, the hydrometer will read high, like 50%.

My rums have a lot of oil in them, is that throwing off the reading?

Cheers,

Unicorn
Unicorns drink beer and piss whiskey.
OlympicMtDoo
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 2544
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:48 am
Location: Olympic Mountains USA

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by OlympicMtDoo »

I would trust my Hydrometer, shouldn't be anything in your rum to throw it off, added sugars and such will but plain rum, no. There is a calc table for adding water to proof you shine, I think on the parent site if I remember correctly.
Sometimes I wonder why is that Frisbee getting bigger......and then it hits me.
goose eye
Master of Distillation
Posts: 2846
Joined: Wed Oct 25, 2006 3:19 am

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by goose eye »

Float it in somethin you no the proof.
Store bought or rubbing alcohol. Check against that.


So I'm tole
Drunken Unicorn
Novice
Posts: 94
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:14 pm
Location: Three Inches to the Left

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by Drunken Unicorn »

I've checked my hydrometer before and it measured out fine.

I use the parent site calculator. My end product after adding water always comes off too high.

Maybe my distilled water has alcohol in it... :P
Unicorns drink beer and piss whiskey.
OlympicMtDoo
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 2544
Joined: Tue Feb 01, 2011 10:48 am
Location: Olympic Mountains USA

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by OlympicMtDoo »

Drink 1 quart of the water you're using and call me in the morning.
Sometimes I wonder why is that Frisbee getting bigger......and then it hits me.
bellybuster
Master of Distillation
Posts: 4490
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:00 pm

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by bellybuster »

I use the same calculator and its bang on for me.
User avatar
T-Pee
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 4355
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:20 pm
Location: The wilds of rural California

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by T-Pee »

Put it in water. It should read 1.000 then trust it for the rest of your readings.

tp
Drunken Unicorn
Novice
Posts: 94
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:14 pm
Location: Three Inches to the Left

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by Drunken Unicorn »

Just tested my Hydrometer, it seems to be off 1% or 2. GRrrrrr.

It used to read accurately. Bah!
Unicorns drink beer and piss whiskey.
User avatar
NZChris
Master of Distillation
Posts: 13062
Joined: Tue Apr 23, 2013 2:42 am
Location: New Zealand

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by NZChris »

Don't forget to allow for temperature
User avatar
kaziel
Swill Maker
Posts: 452
Joined: Tue May 31, 2011 10:59 pm
Location: Poland

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by kaziel »

Immidietly after dilution or are you waiting to some time for solution to cool down?
Vodka consumed wisely is harmless even in large amounts.
My all stainless 2" VM still
My all stainless 2" pot still with Dimroth condenser SS Pot Still
My malt mill - two roller - DIY
My keggle - mash/filter tun
User avatar
dirtymax731
Swill Maker
Posts: 170
Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 9:53 am
Location: Nor Cal

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by dirtymax731 »

When you dilute it creates lots of exothermic reactions. Each time you blend in water you need to wait for the temperature to stabilize and for the proof to settle before you can re-proof your blend and do the next dilution.

I like to "sneak up" on my dilution by adding 90% of the water, letting it settle down for awhile, check proof, and then adding the rest of the proofing water.
Sent while napping in a cherry orchard
Drunken Unicorn
Novice
Posts: 94
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:14 pm
Location: Three Inches to the Left

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by Drunken Unicorn »

I think the paper inside of the hydrometer has slipped down a millimeter or two. I've tested it on various spirits made by me and by a large corporation. It's reading a 40% abv at about 42%. I guess I'll just need to adjust by 2% going forward.

All readings are taken at room temperature. I'll wait to measure after adding the water going forward aswell.

Thanks for the feed back,

Unicorn
Unicorns drink beer and piss whiskey.
User avatar
T-Pee
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 4355
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:20 pm
Location: The wilds of rural California

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by T-Pee »

I've been wondering about that little slip of paper and wondered if it could eventually...slip.
You'd think just a tiny drop of glue...

tp
Drunken Unicorn
Novice
Posts: 94
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:14 pm
Location: Three Inches to the Left

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by Drunken Unicorn »

My guess is that I bump my hydrometer a lot (I'm surprised it hasn't broken) and the paper has slow dropped. That's my guess.
Unicorns drink beer and piss whiskey.
User avatar
T-Pee
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 4355
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:20 pm
Location: The wilds of rural California

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by T-Pee »

Mebbe bump it the other way and recalibrate in a known standard.

tp
jarheadshiner
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 557
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:11 pm
Location: Southern West Virginia

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by jarheadshiner »

T-Pee wrote:Mebbe bump it the other way and recalibrate in a known standard.

tp
That's got broken alcometer and bloody hands written all over it ya crazy SOB! :moresarcasm: :lol:
Lead, follow, or get the **** out of the way!
Prairiepiss
retired
Posts: 16571
Joined: Sat Dec 18, 2010 7:42 am
Location: Somewhere in the Ozarks

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by Prairiepiss »

Many have reported getting different results then what the calculator provided. Including me. But I like it that way.
It'snotsocoldnow.

Advice For newbies by a newbie.
CM Still Mods
My Stuffs
Fu Man

Mr. Piss
That's Princess Piss to the haters.
User avatar
T-Pee
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 4355
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:20 pm
Location: The wilds of rural California

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by T-Pee »

jarheadshiner wrote:
T-Pee wrote:Mebbe bump it the other way and recalibrate in a known standard.

tp
That's got broken alcometer and bloody hands written all over it ya crazy SOB! :moresarcasm: :lol:
I was thinking more along the lines of gently bumping it on a rubber pad, not throwing it against the wall, ya heavy-handed grunt. :lolno:

tp
jarheadshiner
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 557
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:11 pm
Location: Southern West Virginia

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by jarheadshiner »

I start out with good intentions but somehow I always end up with a hammer in my hand :econfused:
Lead, follow, or get the **** out of the way!
User avatar
T-Pee
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 4355
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:20 pm
Location: The wilds of rural California

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by T-Pee »

jarheadshiner wrote:I start out with good intentions but somehow I always end up with a hammer in my hand :econfused:
Hunh. #1 daughter is a USMC F18/C130 SSGT. She told me much the same thing. :esurprised: :ewink:

tp
jarheadshiner
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 557
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:11 pm
Location: Southern West Virginia

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by jarheadshiner »

Thought it was just me but I reckon it must be a Jarhead thing :ebiggrin: Thank your daughter for her dedication to making a career out of it for me :clap: Brave woman. You gotta be a proud Papa!
Lead, follow, or get the **** out of the way!
jarheadshiner
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 557
Joined: Mon Dec 31, 2012 1:11 pm
Location: Southern West Virginia

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by jarheadshiner »

Drunken Unicorn wrote:My guess is that I bump my hydrometer a lot (I'm surprised it hasn't broken) and the paper has slow dropped. That's my guess.
Just looking at your join date I would say the booze gods are displeased with you if you have not sacrificed one to them yet. My suggestion is to order 2, smash the one you have as penance, and hopefully it will appease them.
Lead, follow, or get the **** out of the way!
User avatar
T-Pee
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 4355
Joined: Mon Feb 18, 2013 9:20 pm
Location: The wilds of rural California

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by T-Pee »

jarheadshiner wrote:Thought it was just me but I reckon it must be a Jarhead thing :ebiggrin: Thank your daughter for her dedication to making a career out of it for me :clap: Brave woman. You gotta be a proud Papa!
You bet!
Btw, it's the males aound her that are the brave ones. She's a redhead soon to be a Gunny. :!:

tp
bellybuster
Master of Distillation
Posts: 4490
Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2012 5:00 pm

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by bellybuster »

T-Pee wrote:She's a redhead soon to be a Gunny. :!:

tp
No one gonna mess with her....
User avatar
frunobulax
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 634
Joined: Mon Dec 17, 2012 3:23 pm
Location: Sunny N.J.

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by frunobulax »

NZChris wrote:Don't forget to allow for temperature
Most hydrometers are calibrated at 60 degrees f. and are off around 1% for every 5 degrees.
Here is a chart.
Attachments
www.fallbright.com_Proof and Tralle ex.pdf
(11.82 KiB) Downloaded 107 times
FullySilenced
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 1338
Joined: Sun Dec 02, 2012 10:40 am

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by FullySilenced »

When my hydrometers have issues they just commit suicide by jumping off the table or banging their heads on the measuring jars ... i have added ss to the bottom of my test cylinders to prevent their kamikazi attempts... and that has helped a bit...

I been want a couple of the new ones with the 3 visible scales anyway... :D
User avatar
skow69
Site Donor
Site Donor
Posts: 3230
Joined: Tue Dec 06, 2011 3:03 am
Location: Cascadia

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by skow69 »

Volume of spirit you have X ABV now / ABV you want = Volume after dilution
Distilling at 110f and 75 torr.
I'm not an absinthe snob, I'm The Absinthe Nazi. "NO ABSINTHE FOR YOU!"
Drunken Unicorn
Novice
Posts: 94
Joined: Sat Apr 27, 2013 7:14 pm
Location: Three Inches to the Left

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by Drunken Unicorn »

For a split second I thought, "Maybe I should tap the top of my hydrometer on the table." HA!

I've already sacrificed one mash hydrometer. It was suppose to be a fancy one with a thermometer inside. It broke the first day I got it. What a POS.
frunobulax wrote:
NZChris wrote:Don't forget to allow for temperature
Most hydrometers are calibrated at 60 degrees f. and are off around 1% for every 5 degrees.
Here is a chart.
The temp is starting to rise in my area. This may explain the issue.
Unicorns drink beer and piss whiskey.
Hound Dog
Master of Distillation
Posts: 3002
Joined: Wed Jul 31, 2013 4:45 pm
Location: Hounds Hollow, VA

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by Hound Dog »

I use the cheap assed meters from Brewhaus and dilute with well water according to Rad's calculator on the parent site. It gets me close enough. I'm not passing a gov't inspection, I'm just getting drunk with my wife and friends.
LM Still Operating Instructions
Cranky's New Distiller's Advice
Using Google Search

Drinking Rum before noon makes you a Pirate not an alcoholic.
rad14701
retired
Posts: 20865
Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 4:46 pm
Location: New York, USA

Re: Alcohol hydrometer off after Dilution

Post by rad14701 »

The calculator is accurate, as I just proved about an hour ago... I did a run of a mixture of one of my experimental washes and feints this afternoon... After some quick airing I did my blending, as I know right where the cuts need to be based on a substantial number of run... That and the fact that the wash is clean so the spirits are too...

My blended spirits measured 188 proof/94% ABV... I wanted to fill a 1.75 liter Svedka bottle with 80 proof because the newest store bought bottle was down to about 1/3 full... As per the calculator I added 1000ml of cool water and 750ml of the 188 proof... Using my alcoholmeter it read 98 proof... Then I took a sample from the 1/3 full store bought bottle and it also measured 98 proof... Go figure...!!! This from a bottle that clearly states 80 proof... No temperature correction was done and the ambient temperature is 70F... And the blended and diluted bottle had been in the refrigerator to knock it back to room temperature after warming due to exothermic reaction...

I know my alcoholmeter is accurate because it measures Everclear and my distilled neutral as 190 proof/95% ABV... It also measures water at zero... I've checked it against both 80 and 100 proof commercial vodkas and both read high yet match my diluted spirits based on the calculator... Very odd, indeed...!!!
Post Reply