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Welcome for those of you who are brewers on duty and looking for the best tips on how to buy a densimeter. Available in a variety of models, it is worth knowing a little about the product before buying. Thanks to the measuring work on the densimeter you can measure the fermentation progress of beer or pinga.
So it is easier to produce a refined, homemade drink in the ideal alcohol content to your taste. We will unveil the characteristics of each densimeter. In the post we also present average prices, where to buy with discounts and other issues that will make you a smarter consumer.
Contents
Summary
- Densimeters are present in analogue or digital form.
- To use the analog densimeters, you also need to use the beaker.
- The decimeter can measure the progress of fermentation of cachaça, beer, among other alcoholic beverages.
The Best Hydrometer: Our Picks
Buying guide
What is a densimeter?
Due to its particularity in carrying out measurements, this production is used by brewers to measure the density of the fermentation of beverages produced. With this instrument you can more easily define the final alcohol volume in the beer.
Densimeter and beer: How to use?
What are the advantages of a densimeter?
Densimeter or refractometer: Which is better?
Densimeter
The name of the product itself shows what its use is: to measure the density of a liquid. The use of this model requires the use of a small, medium or large cylinder. You must place the densimeter in the sample (that is, in the sample of liquid inside the measuring cylinder), making the tool float until it generates a result referring to the density in the beverage. You must not return the beverage from the muster to the fermenter, as this may generate contamination.
Refractometer
With dropper it is possible to measure the density of the alcoholic beverage. This means that using this digital product has no beer waste. For those who need to perform several tests in a short space of time this tool is ideal. Especially in fermentation analysis the results recorded in the refractometer must be converted with a Brix conversion calculator or via mobile phone applications, which makes it a little complicated to use.
In general, those who are at the beginning of their brewing career prefer to buy a densimeter. After improving their taste and becoming a bit of an expert, they almost always opt to buy a refractometer as well. Further details on the differences between densimeter and refractometers are shown in the table:
Densimeter | Refractometer | |
---|---|---|
Price | Cheaper | More expensive |
Ease of use | More | Less |
Resistance | Less | More |
Format | Analog | Digital |
Liquid wastage in measurement | Medium | Little |
Professionalism | Less | More |
Speed of measurement | Less | More |
Weight | Less | More |
Portability | Less | More |
Need to heat the liquid for measurement | More | Less |
Need for conversion of results | Less | More |
How much does a hydrometer cost?
Where to buy a densimeter?
Buying criteria: how to compare densimeter models
Who knew you were close to being the best brewer in the neighbourhood? Only, you need to choose a quality densimeter to ensure the taste of your drink. You can buy models that suit your taste demands easily on the market, provided you follow the following criteria to compare them:
More about each criterion we will inform below:
Probe
For the hydrometer to work you need to use a measuring cylinder, often this is also included in the package. If you already have a beaker, you can look for offers that only sell hydrometers. This way you can save money on the purchase. There are 3 different beaker sizes: 50ml, 100ml and 250ml. The 250ml editions should be used when you are at the beginning of production, with the elements not yet mixed and fermented properly. You can decrease the size of the beaker as the drink gets denser.
Drink
Most of the beers in the world are produced with a scale densimeter that can go from 1,000 to even 1,100. If you prefer stronger than conventional beer in initial density it is necessary to use a dedicated densimeter. For example: the scale version ranging from 1,100 to 1,200.
Kits
To measure the drink with a hydrometer the liquid needs to be at 20°C. For this reason there are kits on the market that have models for sale along with the beaker and thermometers. Consider that brewing beer at home does not have the same structure as a brewery, whose fermenters indicate the temperature of the liquid automatically. Therefore, opt for the promotions that also offer the thermometer.
Data
A common practice among brewers is to record the data of each measurement made with a densimeter. By doing this procedure it is possible to track details of the evolution in the density of the beverages, understanding the formula that should be used in future productions. For you not to have trouble recording data on paper use a digital densimeter, also known as refractometer, which gathers and passes the information quickly to computers.
(Featured image source: auremar/ 123RF)