Just take a long, lingering look at this thing of beauty. Twelve and a half inches of pure German precision testing equipment. Truly it's the Aston Martin of Hydrometers, complete with classy go-deeper stripes and a crappy Mexican Trial Jar.I've been muddling along with the Fiat Punto of Hydrometers, much the same as most small-scale cidermakers, for far too long. So when the missus asked me what I wanted for my Birthday, well there really was no competition. Needless to say, she wouldn't buy me the Voran Apple Washing & Milling Elevator, so a fancy new Hydrometer had to suffice, and what a Hydrometer it is. Here's the Spec:
- Measurement range from 1.000 - 1.070.
- 2.5 times more accurate than standard homebrew instrument.
- Certificate of Conformance guarantees accuracy.
- Lead Shot and Red Resin look more professional.
- err... It's bigger, so it must be better.
So there you have it. I'm just itching to dip this sleek instrument into my juice, and if you listen carefully you'll hear the unmistakable sound of Craft Cidermakers the length and breadth of the country, turning quite literally Green with Envy at the thought.
How easy is it to read? The TS recommended that I use 2 - 990-1020 and 1020-1070. What I would do beyond that is a guess - though I guess it would mean a third!
ReplyDeleteVigo wanted to sell me them for about £50... are you allowed (under birthday present rules) to tell me how much and where from??? If it conforms this could well be the bad boy to use!!!:-) Not that I like copying you!
I was reluctant to go down the Vigo 'two Hydrometer' route, which is why I looked around for something that would cover the whole range (in most cases). This one was £25.60 inc VAT, against Vigo's price of a little over £29 inc VAT for just one of the two you'd need. Carriage is extra, and you'd need a bigger Trial Jar too.
ReplyDeleteOn the very rare occasions we might get anything above 1.070, I'll just use the smaller homebrew Hydrometer.
I haven't used it yet, but the scale is 2.5 times longer, so much easier to get accurate readings.
See here: http://www.coleparmer.co.uk/catalog/product_view.asp?sku=0829216
Cool! Had the Vigo twins on my Chrimbo list, but have ordered one of these big mo'fo' babies instead - good spot, Mark. £36.12 all-in, but still a saving. Off down to Home Brew shop now to suss out a suitable jar.
ReplyDeleteIf you want accuracy I could have bought you a magnifying glass for your birthday. The pound shop should have some...
ReplyDelete;)
Sorry mate, now I feel like we took the edge off your Birthday pressie... happy birthday by the way :0
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