Hydrometers always break

Discussion in 'Homebrewing' started by inchrisin, Dec 1, 2015.

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  1. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    I've owned 3 hydrometers. I've melted the plastic container that they come in when I take a preboil gravity. I've wasted the better part of a beer taking final gravities. I've had the container tip over and snap the neck of the hydrometer. I've stabbed myself in the hand cleaning off a hydrometer when they break in my hands.

    What am I looking for?

    I want a (plastic?) hydrometer with a Pyrex cylinder to store and get readings. They cylinder should be barely any bigger than the base of the hydrometer, as not to waste beer. The doughnut should be made of some sort of impermeable rubber that doesn't have a taste. Is the R&D out there for what we really want, or do they expect us to buy these things every year?
     
    #1 inchrisin, Dec 1, 2015
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  2. jncastillo87

    jncastillo87 Initiate (0) Jan 27, 2013 Texas

    Cant help you bud .. had the same one I got in my first cheap ass brew kit 4 years ago. Is it possible you are accident prone and clumsy ?
     
    #2 jncastillo87, Dec 1, 2015
    MrOH, premierpro, CADETS3 and 1 other person like this.
  3. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    Cursed
     
    #3 inchrisin, Dec 1, 2015
  4. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    Maybe buy a refractometer then, eh?
     
    #4 CADETS3, Dec 1, 2015
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  5. ChrisMyhre

    ChrisMyhre Initiate (0) Sep 15, 2013 Massachusetts

    Brewcipher so I don't have to do the math and just a refractometer works for me. And three broken hydrometers is amateur hour, I've gone through at least 20. I think my wife has broken more than 3 on me.
     
    #5 ChrisMyhre, Dec 1, 2015
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  6. premierpro

    premierpro Savant (1,060) Mar 21, 2009 Michigan

    If you brew in the same area you can make a bracket that hangs on the wall that will hold your hydrometer level and protect it.
     
    #6 premierpro, Dec 1, 2015
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  7. GormBrewhouse

    GormBrewhouse Pooh-Bah (2,111) Jun 24, 2015 Vermont
    Pooh-Bah

    Hate to tell you how many I have broke, more than 3, but I do keep the. Current hydrometer in a heavy walled plexyglass sealable tube full of starsan. So far it is working. Blue book catalog is where I bought it after breaking so many. Perhaps that catalog will help, lots of lab supplies
     
    #7 GormBrewhouse, Dec 1, 2015
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  8. JohnSnowNW

    JohnSnowNW Initiate (0) Feb 6, 2013 Minnesota

    I have gone through three, the wife has broken two of them.
     
    #8 JohnSnowNW, Dec 1, 2015
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  9. CurtFromHershey

    CurtFromHershey Initiate (0) Oct 4, 2012 Minnesota

    I broke 1 and replaced it w/ a refractometer. You need to use a calculator to convert, especially on the FG, but it gets me in the ballpark and wastes much less wort/beer. I can't imagine ever going back.
     
    #9 CurtFromHershey, Dec 1, 2015
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  10. GreenKrusty101

    GreenKrusty101 Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2008 Nevada

    Could be worse...rectal thermometers break, too, if not handled and stored properly. I'd say if you have broken more than 1 in a 10 year period, it's time to get a refractometer or accept the nickname, "grace". :slight_smile:
     
    #10 GreenKrusty101, Dec 1, 2015
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  11. invertalon

    invertalon Pooh-Bah (2,249) Jan 27, 2009 Ohio
    Pooh-Bah Trader

    Have yet to break one!
     
    #11 invertalon, Dec 1, 2015
  12. JackHorzempa

    JackHorzempa Grand Pooh-Bah (3,375) Dec 15, 2005 Pennsylvania
    Society Pooh-Bah

    LOL!:grinning:

    Cheers!
     
    #12 JackHorzempa, Dec 1, 2015
  13. mikehartigan

    mikehartigan Maven (1,421) Apr 9, 2007 Illinois

    I broke 3 hydrometers in my first 3 batches of beer. One refractometer has survived the succeeding 85, so far.
     
    #13 mikehartigan, Dec 2, 2015
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  14. pweis909

    pweis909 Grand Pooh-Bah (3,250) Aug 13, 2005 Wisconsin
    Pooh-Bah

    I don't recall ever breaking the hydrometer, but have had to replace the tubes. But I've had my problems with autosiphons, so I won't judge.
     
    #14 pweis909, Dec 2, 2015
  15. MrOH

    MrOH Grand Pooh-Bah (3,995) Jul 5, 2010 Virginia
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah

    I'm on my third for 135 batches packaged, and every breakage has been due to me not being careful.
     
    #15 MrOH, Dec 2, 2015
  16. ChuckHardslab

    ChuckHardslab Maven (1,251) Jan 25, 2012 Texas

    #16 ChuckHardslab, Dec 2, 2015
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  17. bluehende

    bluehende Initiate (0) Dec 10, 2010 Delaware

    I have a cheap old one that is lasting forever. I want a better one so it is on my Christmas list. Hopefully a refractometer.
     
    #17 bluehende, Dec 2, 2015
  18. inchrisin

    inchrisin Pooh-Bah (2,013) Sep 25, 2008 Indiana
    Pooh-Bah

    For some reason, I never trust the FG readings, even after putting the brix reading through a computer. I did a side-by-side twice with a refrac and a hydrometer and didn't get the same number. Then I stabbed myself in the hand and threw my hydrometer out.
     
    #18 inchrisin, Dec 2, 2015
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  19. jae

    jae Initiate (0) Feb 21, 2010 Washington

    I break way less once I got a refractometer. I still broke one a month ago, though.
     
    #19 jae, Dec 2, 2015
  20. CADETS3

    CADETS3 Initiate (0) Dec 3, 2014 Texas

    I GUESS I SHOULD HAVE KEPT MY DAMN FINGERS OFF THE KEYBOARD ON THIS FORUM BECAUSE I JUST BROKE A 6.5 GALLON CARBOY. FUCKING EH COTTON!!! :confused::confused::confused::confused:
     
    #20 CADETS3, Dec 2, 2015
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