Basics
HYDROMETER Basics
The following illustrates the versatility of the hydrometer
(with specific gravity scale).
A hydrometer usually looks like this
But one could also
look like this
1 kg dissolved sugar has a volume of 0,63 litres
1 litre of alcohol weighs 0,8 kg
2,7 grammes gives 1 hydrometer degrees in 1 litre of water
Fermented hydrometer degrees divided by 8 = % volume of alcohol.
A finished wine must have a certain hydrometer reading to be
balanced (refer to table)
17 grammes of sugar ferments to 1% alcohol in 1 litre of wine
The hydrometer reading -1000 x 2 = grammes of sugar in fruit juice
Strong wine yeast only tolerates 16-18% alcohol
(table wine 13%), after which fermentation ceases
