Plastic hydrometer/alcoholmeter testing jar

[cornwhiskey]

I have a regular plastic hydrometer/alcoholmeter testing jar that I picked up at my local homebrew store. When I am distilling and want to measure the ABV of the distillate is it safe to use this? Being as the distillate will only be in it for a short period of time.

[carl1078lewis]

+1 on this question. I have the same lousy plastic tube for taking measurements. I had a glass one and broke it right away

I've been using the plastic one to make ABV measurements, spirit at 60 degrees F, and then in the tube, measure, out of the tube as fast as possible. Hopefully since the spirit is not hot this isn't causing too much harm, but it would be good to hear from the pro's on the forum

[HookLine]

I have a lab glass measuring cylinder.

[Dnderhead]

the will have a "melt down"
I had one given to me, I was plying with some heads in it and it melted before my eyes.

[heynonny]

My plastic one from brewing didnt melt, it crazed, (like what window glass looks when broken), then it was like a sieve, the prod. began to squirt out through the cracks. All in a very short time. -ney-

[Hawke]

My plastic one from brewing didnt melt, it crazed, (like what window glass looks when broken), then it was like a sieve, the prod. began to squirt out through the cracks. All in a very short time. -ney-

This is what I found as well.

[cob]

a glass flower bud vase can be bought at goodwill, st. vincent, etc. for less than a dollar. cob

[Nightforce]

Acrylic ones might be okay, but I think the polystyrene ones will craze when using high %abv alcohol and the polypropylene ones are to opaque to read the hydrometer. I'd stick with the glass ones or a good glass graduated cylinder which can double as a measuring device as well.

[blanikdog]

a glass flower bud vase can be bought at goodwill, st. vincent, etc. for less than a dollar. cob

Cob's idea is the way to go. Cheap, simple and safe. Buy a couple in case of breakage.

blanik

[Hawke]

Acrylic is just as bad as polystyrine, when it comes to higher proof alcohol.
I haven't found the glass test cyliders to be that expensive anyway. Just can't drop 'em.

[bstinga]

The glass ones have the advantage of being clear so readings are easy! I have some plastic lab ones that are cracking and peeling off the top layer - so I don't trust them.

A tip someone posted somewhere was to put a tiny amount of packing (copper mesh/scrubber) in the bottom to buffer those nocks from the hydrometer/alcoholmeter bobbing up and down. I just lost one a few weeks back from this sort of overzealous-carry-on!

[still_in]

good idea bstinga for protecting the alcoholmeter...

i started out using glass but i broke my alcoholmeter on it when the proof was higher than i expected, it just dropped right down and shattered.

now i inherited a "chemical resistant" beaker thing from a friend of mine. its plastic but it has seen 83% alcohol on numerous occasions for the past nine months with no difficulties. i'd like to get a glass one but not much point as of now.

[heynonny]

A local plastics supply business told me that they could get (they dont keep it in stock) clear pvc plastic tubing, any size, bring your wallet. It was much cheaper to order a glass one from the local brew supplier, took a week or so, $10.00. They have in stock plastic ones from Canada, yah, which 'crazed' in about 22 seconds, right before my very eyes. All things considered, I am now trying to avoid any plastic contact with my product, use the bud vase, olive jar, or spring for a glass one and be done with it, , ,-hey-

[techne1]

I also have an acrylic 13-inch testing cylinder from Canada. Acrylic plastic's rating for corrosion resistance to alcohol was "limited," or short-time compatible up to 30% ABV, and not resistant to corrosion at all from 30% and above.

[Barney Fife]

A short length of 1/2" or 3/4" copper, a cap, and a 2" "test cap" for a base is all you need. And for sure, a wee bit of scrubber at the bottom. My alcohol hydrometer fits the 1/2" one, and my SG hyrometer fits the 3/4" one. An added bonus is that I need very little product to get a reading, as the hydrometer just barely fits it, and it's no taller than necessary to read 95% ABV. I set these in a small SS flat bottom cup( a stoneware bowl or something would do fine) and let them overflow into the cup, so they're very easy to read accurately. I have a spot marked on my bench that is dead-level, and always measure there, as the 1/2" tube is finicky if it isn't dead level.

Cheap and easy to make, 100% safe, and you'll never break one!

[techne1]

That's great advice on the copper, thanks! I got a 14-inch long 3/4" copper pipe and 3/4" cap, which I'll fix onto the larger base (open side down) ASAP. Without a hydrometer, it'll allow measurements of a little more than a 1/2 cup. Once I water down, I'll do some checking to ensure the small diameter isn't skewing the readings. Thanks again!

[heynonny]

How about just using your parrot in the kitchen?? Put it in a dish or plate or something. (If you have a parrot) Actually, this gives you a good reason to go ahead and make a parrot now, you always wanted one, anyway, didnt you?? -hey-

[Barney Fife]

I should have noted that if you go 1/2", it takes longer for the hydro to settle and for you to get your reading, since it has to force out the liquid. The 3/4" one gives an instant reading.