Bead or Meter
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- Bootlegger
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Bead or Meter
For funsies do you guys proof by bead or hydrometer?
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- Swill Maker
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Re: Bead or Meter
They measure different things. A hydrometer will accurately and specifically tell you what proof your liquor is.
Beading will tell you about a bunch of other things related to proof, but it will not tell you what proof your liquor is. You can guess based on how the bead looks, but it's only a guess.
So I use a hydrometer. Anyone who measures with beading should use a hydrometer along with reading the bead, unless they don't care about knowing exactly what proof their liquor is at. And that's alright, you don't have to care about that - but I like to know
Beading will tell you about a bunch of other things related to proof, but it will not tell you what proof your liquor is. You can guess based on how the bead looks, but it's only a guess.
So I use a hydrometer. Anyone who measures with beading should use a hydrometer along with reading the bead, unless they don't care about knowing exactly what proof their liquor is at. And that's alright, you don't have to care about that - but I like to know
Last edited by carbohydratesn on Fri Mar 20, 2015 9:48 am, edited 2 times in total.
Re: Bead or Meter
It's not something I personally would leave to guesswork.
It's a bit like judging mashing temperature using your finger.
It's a bit like judging mashing temperature using your finger.
Re: Bead or Meter
Or judging the speed of your car by the diameter of the bug splats on the windscreen.
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- Bootlegger
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Re: Bead or Meter
What's wrong with that?Dan P. wrote:Or judging the speed of your car by the diameter of the bug splats on the windscreen.
You can also tell how far you've traveled by how many possums are stuck to your bumper.
5 pounds of possum makes goooood eatin.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qdI4kmvVqfc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;" rel="nofollow
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- Master of Distillation
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Re: Bead or Meter
Hydrometer....
Remember not to blow yourself up,you only get to forget once!
Deo Vendice
Never eat Mexican food north or east of Dallas tx!
Deo Vendice
Never eat Mexican food north or east of Dallas tx!
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- Novice
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Re: Bead or Meter
You can roughly judge the temperature for mashing by sticking your head in the mash bucket & looking into the water: if you cannot see your reflection due to steam, its too hot, if you can just see your relfection its just right, if you can clearly see your reflection, its too cold. The mediaeval monks figured this out.Dan P. wrote:It's a bit like judging mashing temperature using your finger.
As for the bead, I've had wine (12%) that's held a bead....
I use a hydrometer.
Last edited by marquee_moon on Fri Mar 20, 2015 12:14 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Bead or Meter
The hydrometer is way more accurate but I like to bead just to see how close I come
Re: Bead or Meter
Maybe you can do another poll; "Steam or Thermometer?"marquee_moon wrote:You can roughly judge the temperature for mashing by sticking your head in the mash bucket & looking into the water: if you cannot see your reflection due to steam, its too hot, if you can just see your relfection its just right, if you can clearly see your reflection, its too cold. The mediaeval monks figured this out.Dan P. wrote:It's a bit like judging mashing temperature using your finger.
- firewater69
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Re: Bead or Meter
I can usually guess the bead pretty close, but I always use my alcoholmeter, but it's fun to see how close I can get.
Moonshine.... American as apple pie & it's part of our heritage, history & culture.
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- Bootlegger
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Re: Bead or Meter
I usually check the bead.
then the flame test.
then the meter.
then the flame test.
then the meter.
Re: Bead or Meter
I'm with the 1% here I guess, never did see the point of a hydrometer. I also measure how much gas is left in my truck by how late I am to work everyday, waiting for AAA to show up with more gas.
I buy all my liquor at the hardware store.
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- Master of Distillation
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Re: Bead or Meter
Just to be clear a hydrometer won't show you shit for proofing.
An alcoholmeter will. Beadin is best for a bettin game.
An alcoholmeter will. Beadin is best for a bettin game.
Re: Bead or Meter
If its holdin a bead that's what you lookin for agein.
You go by taste for drinkin. What do it matter what the numbers on a tester say.
So I'm tole
You go by taste for drinkin. What do it matter what the numbers on a tester say.
So I'm tole
- thecroweater
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Re: Bead or Meter
Little point of order: Firstly all them them gravity testers are hydrometers, what they are good for depends only on how they are calibrated, salt water, acid, sugar, ethanol. Secondly the proofing hydrometer is calibrated to check either the proof or ethanol % of an ethanol and water solution at normally 20' C. So if it is something else say whiskey or rum then it wont be exactly spot on but close enough for most but if you knew how to read the bead accurately, well I expect you could use it to see how accurate ya alcomter is,some meters only good for a bet too. Them goose eyes never wrong y'all orta know
Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety. Benjamin Franklin
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- Master of Distillation
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Re: Bead or Meter
The reason to refer to them as hydrometer and alcoholmeter is to help noobs to know the difference. The terms are not really interchangeable if applied right. Some want to know for sure and some of US have to know for sure.
Have yet to buy in to the goose eye religion
Have yet to buy in to the goose eye religion
- Tokoroa_Shiner
- Distiller
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Re: Bead or Meter
Hydrometers may be calibrated for different uses, such as a lactometer for measuring the density (creaminess) of milk, a saccharometer for measuring the density of sugar in a liquid, or an alcoholometer for measuring higher levels of alcohol in spirits.
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- Master of Distillation
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Re: Bead or Meter
Reading the bead is just the BS you baffle your non distilling buddies with to look cool. You also check the noobs poor cut shine for oils swirling around in it while looking at the bead to see if you are going to gag while taking a taste or not.
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Re: Bead or Meter
Only if ya aint any good at it.reading bead been around lot longer then meters Im first one in my family to ever used a tester .My father taught me by the bead. I got him to proof several different runs by bead. for drinking proof I then checked it after I had the meter to see what it would read .His drinking proof was 98-101 proof every time . So I guess its experience. so I been told Me I go by bead but still check with meter to see how close. My father is better then me at it I must admit .If shit hit fan and there were no longer testers sounds like some would just be lost . . Ask this same pole to bunch old time shiners and bead be only answer.As they say whatever works for you and to each their own.Hound Dog wrote:Reading the bead is just the BS you baffle your non distilling buddies with to look cool. You also check the noobs poor cut shine for oils swirling around in it while looking at the bead to see if you are going to gag while taking a taste or not.
I use a pot still.Sometimes with a thumper
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- Master of Distillation
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Re: Bead or Meter
Hats off to you Tater. I never get close.Tater wrote:Me I go by bead but still check with meter to see how close. As they say whatever works for you and to each their own.
LM Still Operating Instructions
Cranky's New Distiller's Advice
Using Google Search
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Re: Bead or Meter
Woodshed you want to talk religion then I can thump a Bible we talkin druthers here.
Buying in? I aint salein.
All yall talkin taste. Is that a number.
So I'm tole
Buying in? I aint salein.
All yall talkin taste. Is that a number.
So I'm tole
Re: Bead or Meter
I was wondering what religion was being talked about.
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Re: Bead or Meter
^ what he done did said.....goose eye wrote:If its holdin a bead that's what you lookin for agein.
You go by taste for drinkin. What do it matter what the numbers on a tester say.
So I'm tole
I got no idea if my readin the bead is accurate. Granny made good scones, i guess that was practice. Got lots of time for the old timers ways, just wish I could learn em quick.
You design it, I make it. Copper and Stainless. Down under. PM me.
Re: Bead or Meter
Hi goose
ageing proof = around 55-60% ?
How long is 'holding'? Several seconds?goose eye wrote:If its holdin a bead that's what you lookin for agein.
ageing proof = around 55-60% ?
Be safe.
Be discreet.
And have fun.
Be discreet.
And have fun.
Re: Bead or Meter
when you shake a jar and look at the bubbles , what are you looking for the bubbles to indicate proof?
Re: Bead or Meter
Lads, if shaking bubbles is your thing, shake on, just don't expect anybody to be able to tell you how to do it. It is an experiential undertaking.
- firewater69
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Re: Bead or Meter
Proof with a meter then shake it and you'll have an idea of what to look for.
Moonshine.... American as apple pie & it's part of our heritage, history & culture.
Re: Bead or Meter
I like to learn about all aspects of this hobby, old and new ways. Having nobody to show me, this is a great answer imo as it's what I do.firewater69 wrote:Proof with a meter then shake it and you'll have an idea of what to look for.
I use a proof and tralle mainly because some ask what proof it is, and a number is better than sounding stupid with "i unno". Also helps keep things consistent for a newb just learning.
Re: Bead or Meter
There is actually a good deal of difference between x% and y%, even though they might be close in numbers, or close in bubbles.
As goose says, it comes down to taste, but there is no harm, and indeed much good, in knowing what proof your spirit is.
Better to know, for most of us.
As goose says, it comes down to taste, but there is no harm, and indeed much good, in knowing what proof your spirit is.
Better to know, for most of us.