I have broken 4 hydrometers in the last 5 batches. Options

[ghart999]

All for stupid reasons of not being careful. Man I need to add this to the cost of each brew now.

[cbdeacon]

[quote name='ghart999' date='Oct 30 2008, 04:28 PM' post='1253439']
All for stupid reasons of not being careful. Man I need to add this to the cost of each brew now.


[/quote

I would say rdwhahb, but dang, dude!

[BrewerGeorge]

People pooh-pooh them, but I really love the refracto. It's probably my single favorite brewing-related gadget purchase. I've barely touched the hydro more than 2 or 3 times in the 2+ years since I got the refracto. Yes, you have to do calculations to find FG, but the computer does that for me so it's no hardship. Yes, it might not be quite as accurate as a perfect hydro reading, but how often are hydro readings "perfect" anyway. Besides, it's accurate enough for my needs. I'm not publishing nutritional information; I just need to know when a beer is finished fermenting and how strong it will be. The refracto is good enough and MUCH more convenient to use, IMO.

I've heard you can get them on eBay now for less than $40. You might want to check them out.

[CarlosM]

last brew my hydrometer fell 3 times because of the wind, good thing I had it in its casing. KEEP IT IN ITS CASING!!!!

SIDE NOTE:i got my effeciency locked down around 75% so i flew blind for about 3 brews and im pretty sure it was spot on. BUT its still a wierd feeling not knowing what you got for a OG

[Guest_HarvInSTL_*]

People pooh-pooh them, but I really love the refracto.

I've heard you can get them on eBay now for less than $40. You might want to check them out.

+1

I grabbed mine for $24 shipped. And they can be had all day long, just find a seller that is selling a few of them, then bid the minimum on until you win one.

I won mine for $16.50 plus $8 shipping.

[PineyWoodsBrewer]

Wait till after you take your reading to start drinking...... (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/biggrin.gif)

[deerslyr]

I share your pain brother. I've been brewing for almost 2 years and I'm on my third. Just for future reference, holding a hydro between your front teeth on the narrow end is NOT a good idea. If you need to use both of your hands, set the hydro down in a safe place.

I'm surprised at the prices ya'll are spending on hydros. I can pick them up for $7.00 at my LHBS. And I know that's a current price because I picked up my third on Tuesday!!! One of the 2 local LHBS even has an on-line store and ships nationally. But, even at that price, 5 hydros would pretty much cover the cost of the refract. If I break another one....

It's funny, earlier today I was considering asking a question about what is the most often broken/damaged piece of equipment (with the Hydro being my contribution)?

[MicCullen]

All for stupid reasons of not being careful. Man I need to add this to the cost of each brew now.

If you get a refracto, Be Careful with it! (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/smile.gif)

[jayb151]

I must say that after 14 batches I have yet to break anything. Knock on wood, and brew strong!
Jay

[ChefLamont]

Sorry to hear that. I am the anomaly. Six years with the first and only one I ever bought. However, I was also the cheap kid in chemistry lab that was REALLY careful with the glassware because he didnt want to have to buy replacement.

Just always be mindful of where it is and like any delicate instrument, keep it in a safe place, take it out only to make a measurement, and then put it back in the safe place.

[DJ in KC]

I keep 3 around so I can practice juggling between hop additions

[Wolfgang]

Wow, dude. You shouldn't be juggling them! (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/biggrin.gif)

I'm proud to say that I am still using the same thermometer I started with 25 years ago. My dad (RIP) bought it for me when I started collecting brew equipment at age 18!
I sometimes think I should retire it, but I hate to end the streak!
If this thing breaks, I'm gonna cry! (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/shock.gif)

This post has been edited by Wolfgang: Oct 31 2008, 09:44 AM

[ghart999]

People pooh-pooh them, but I really love the refracto. It's probably my single favorite brewing-related gadget purchase. I've barely touched the hydro more than 2 or 3 times in the 2+ years since I got the refracto. Yes, you have to do calculations to find FG, but the computer does that for me so it's no hardship. Yes, it might not be quite as accurate as a perfect hydro reading, but how often are hydro readings "perfect" anyway. Besides, it's accurate enough for my needs. I'm not publishing nutritional information; I just need to know when a beer is finished fermenting and how strong it will be. The refracto is good enough and MUCH more convenient to use, IMO.

I've heard you can get them on eBay now for less than $40. You might want to check them out.

Yeah but a hydro costs $6 when I break it. I am sure i will break the refracto too.

[ghart999]

Wait till after you take your reading to start drinking...... (IMG:style_emoticons/brewboard/biggrin.gif)

Maybe that's the problem. I have usually had 4-5 pints by that time. Hell even when checking my FG I break em even when I am not drinking.

[deerslyr]

Sorry to hear that. I am the anomaly. Six years with the first and only one I ever bought. However, I was also the cheap kid in chemistry lab that was REALLY careful with the glassware because he didnt want to have to buy replacement.

Just always be mindful of where it is and like any delicate instrument, keep it in a safe place, take it out only to make a measurement, and then put it back in the safe place.

Technically speaking, I didn't break my last one. I think one of my nieces broke it. I had left it in the fridge to cool down and then forgot it there. When I wanted to take a reading the other day, I went to get it and the flask was empty, but the hydro was in the flask. When I pulled it out, the bottom of the hydro was broken. The flask must have fallen and rather than telling me it fell, she just put it back in the empty flask. I was a bit ticked off, but maybe it was partially my fault for leaving it in there. From now on, it goes to cool down in my keggerator.