Reading the Bead

[thecroweater]

Does anyone still do this from time to time or has this art been lost to the hydrometer. I practice this sometimes while watching the still drip away (beats angry birds ) not that good at it yet but I am getting better

[Tater]

I still do

[HolyBear]

Yep...

[OlympicMtDoo]

You bet.

[Prairiepiss]

I try my best to. I'm always trying then checking with a hydrometer to see how close I was. You never know when the hydrometer will commit suicide. And it will come in handy.

I wouldn't say I was good at it. But I can get by if need be.

[rad14701]

I try to keep in practice... I also use both methods on commercial spirits in comparison to labeled proof and you might be surprised at the discrepancies I've encountered...

[BareKnuckles]

I d0 but I'm not very good at it...

[HolyBear]

You might want to read this... http://homedistiller.org/forum/viewtopi ... 46&t=13305 good stuff...

[thecroweater]

Hey thanks for that link ,great stuff yeah was told a lot of that stuff many yrs ago but had long forgotten some . Hydrometers are great but they do break go missing ect, I think it is important to be able to read ya likker without any devises. I am getting better at it but would like to get to the stage where I am confident of the proof I have without needing to double check with the alcometer. By the time my kids are ready to start stilling I should be able to teach them. I've had to teach myself most things as my old Grandad had kids very late(was 50 when mum was born and I was just 15 when he died) so time beat us, I have done likewise so passing on important skills is a priority to me

[Fastill]

I still do it both ways, read the bead and double check with hydrometer, but am getting pretty good at bead reading.