Hydrometer Science

Let's unlock the power of your hydrometer. This is an easy to follow video on how to read and interpret your hydrometer.
www.barleyandhopsbrewing.com
254-300-8226

[@rsalton16]

Finally! someone who can explain how this works in such a simple manner! thank you!

[@McMallister]

Yes! Took me 2 videos to land on this one. Excellent 👍🏻😃

[@somewhatfast]

The only video on youtube that explains it in a way even a dummy like me could understand.

[@V-C137]

He knows how to explain it to Americans

[@phoffeld]

I understood it and I am dumber than you.

[@knight76111]

This is the most understandable explanation I've ever seen. Thank you I've been mystified about how to read a hydrometer ever since I decided to try brewing.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@steveshaffer1123]

I absolutely love how you explain things.someone can have loads of knowledge to pass along but can't deliver it.you on the other hand are a wealth of knowledge and even better at teaching.thank you!

[@cjw7924]

I learn something every time I watch one of your videos. I am even starting to sound like I might know something, I just tell them I have a good teacher. thank you from Down Under

[@mikepetry4299]

I seem to find myself listening to you for specific information and explanation. Just a personal "Thank You" for what you do and what I have learned from you. I never understood why we wine making amateurs don't use the alcohol % scale - close is good enough for me and the potential % tells me what I need to know and is easy to read. You addressed that nicely here ... I don't see as well as I should, so I often look at the color and about how far down on that color it is, pull the stick out and look closely at it to find out what I need to know. Thanks again!

[@DoYouSpeak]

Thanks so much for this. I've been winging it with my brews until recently and just used a hydrometer for the first time. I had no idea what I was looking at until I watched this video. Thanks again.

[@BahFrancis]

I'm a newbie in wine making with less than 6 months experience and have been racking my head on the Hydrometer readings...And along comes George with this simple but excellent video.. Too good.. Thanks George.. Love your other videos as well... After this video, will definitely subscribe

[@richardwolske2015]

Clear as a bell ! There’s no Dumb questions when we are working on a project like this . Thank you Sir 👍

[@sunryse111]

I've looked at several videos ... at last you explain it so I can understand it. I've saved your video to my favourites so I can return as needed. Thank you so much!!!!

[@bobnewhart4318]

Precise no fluff and right to the point. Great channel

[@robsalvv5853]

Loved this vid. I've watched my Italian dad and relos make homemade wine all my life. They discuss sugar content after the crush in terms of "sugar was 80, not so good" "sugar was 110, should be good". Lol just goes to show that even without the science and specific understanding of the scale, they experientially understand what the hydrometer is telling them and what it might mean for their wine.

[@JamieMacQuarrie]

Thank you! One of the clearest, and to-the-point descriptions on the web!

[@NareshDhokia]

Hi, George. Thank you so much, for explaining this, so patiently and simply. As I was stuck on this calculation. God bless you sir. You saved the day. Bless your soul. AMEN 🙏

[@jeffreyclark294]

fantastic!! I've looked all over for explanation of displacement and specific gravity for my clinical uranalysis class, and this helped me tremendously.

[@jodyorange4031]

I've saved this video and will be coming back to this always when brewing as you explain it so well and make it a lot easier to understand thankyou

[@TheDarkNikolai1]

Nice one, consise and clear. Always good to an old boy cracking out some felt tip diagrams.

[@staysaforever3700]

This is a most brilliant channel. Thank George, you are a genius!!!

[@FelixFive]

I have been looking for an explanation like this for a couple of months. Thank you so much!!

[@markwright1981]

I like a nice plain explanation.... it cleared up a few things for me

[@ruatarengsicolneyrengsi8924]

Indeed! The explanation is as clear as it could be. Thanks a ton for the upload..

[@davidbrewer9340]

Excellent and easy to follow. Up until now all I've had is someone telling me to take a hydrometer reading without helping me to understand what I was doing.

[@Pbp12345]

That's the simplest way of explaining, to the point. This is what everyone needs. Thanks

[@davidgiles4380]

I've been staring at my hydrometer for hours watching video after video and Google page after page thinking what the hell am I even looking at, then boom you come along and it clicked within the first 2 minutes of your video. Well done that man and I thank you sir

[@paulr8308]

Nope not all of us know how to read or understand what to do. But now thanks to you I do. Thank you very much.

[@lydiaanderson2870]

@Hello Paul R, How are you doing?

[@beeroquoisnation]

Your videos are great education. Keep up the great work knowing you're building the confidence of the less than confident. Cheers Brother.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Thanks

[@patty19541]

Thank you so much it finally clicked, I have been making fruit wines for 10 years and only guessing at the alcohol content. Thanks to you I can use my hydrometer properly and get the reading right.

[@bigmikefrompa.3063]

Thank you very much for the great info. Just bought one,just like the one you were showing today. Just started making homemade wine. I'm using 100% apple juice walmart brand. 2qt batches. 1-1/2 cup sugar,1/2 tsp yeast. I'm experimenting with bread yeast,wine makers yeast, turbo yeast. Now with your help I can get the alcohol percent. Hopefully, Lol! We will see! Thank you again, have a great day and a better tomorrow! You have new sub.

[@lydiaanderson2870]

@Hello BigMikeFromPa, How are you doing?

[@judescott658]

Finally someone that actually explains it in clear english. Thank you so very much

[@areebatariq5476]

This was the only video that helped me clear the concept ! Thanks a lot

[@hotsauce1646]

You are the first one to explain this with a chart and i don't have to use my imagination of whats on it . I never used one of these and i bought one . But not one explains it right so thanks

[@markmay3704]

Clearest explanation on the net! Thank you George.

[@mrgrnjns1111]

I have been trying to find this out forever... Thank you..

[@chuckdontknowdoya6100]

Short and sweet loved it I always learn something new from you George no matter how well I think I know the subject. ps I've been down to .990 a couple of times making wine and if you can hit it you'll have something special.

[@57smithers]

Excellent video! I got more out of this clip, then all the time spent trying to interpret the paper instructions!

[@Gojirella]

Finally I understand! I'm making ginger beer w/ginger bug, and I just bought a hydrometer. It was really helpful that you explained all the numbers. To me, this was the best video for understanding the hydrometer. Thanks and best wishes from Norway :) Ps: My ginger beer has (approx) 5,8% potential alcohol /1044 =D

[@AussieChad]

Finally a video that claims to teach how to read a hydrometer that actually teaches how to read one. Great video mate!

[@daonlyrainsolo]

Thanks for walking me through that my man!

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

You bet!

[@ledbetter1226]

Great Video, Ive watched multiple other videos and still had no idea how to read it........After your video now I completely understand, Great Explanation!

[@hillsview455]

Thank you! That was a very simple explanation. Now I can start using my hydrometer.

[@mikedarby1989]

Haven't even hit play yet and I know already by the end, George will have taught me right.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

WOW. Thanks

[@usha777]

By far the best and easiest example of how this works. You need to do a beginner wine making book.

[@Lamexicanaentailandia]

Thank you for sharing. I am new at this and I couldn’t figure out how to read it. This is so helpful.

[@sarahruemmele2971]

Thank you for the video explanation! Just brewed my first batch of mead and have never used a hydrometer before. My batch is at 6.3% ABV on day 6.

[@dedehart7189]

OMG - Thank you so much!! I have watched so many videos and yours is the only one that really explains how to read the dang thing!!! Thank you!

[@muhammadshayannazeer3191]

Love you sir ❤️ The way you explain 🙂! From Pakistan 🇵🇰, learned so much

[@Paulmichaelboooey]

9 videos later I find this one. Finally. Subbed. Liked. Well done sir.

[@ScienceMessiah]

For your calculation formula you have to put brackets around the both "gravities". It's wrong this way as mathematically you'd first multiply and then subtract. You don't wanna do that. So correctly it needs to be (OG - FG) x 131.25 = %Vol(Alc)

[@abrad3061]

Love the way you splain things. Thanks

[@conhos238]

i really like how he talks understandable !

[@jlh276]

This guy reminds me of one of my favorite teachers in high school. Excellent vid!

[@jack3613]

This is the best video I could find on how to read a hydrometer Thank You!

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@aubryhogan8790]

I just started making wine. This video was really helpful. Thank you showing how to read that scale.

[@aaronturner8535]

THANK YOU!!!! Best explanation I've seen.

[@ericchronister6091]

You are always an excellent source of information. I really enjoy you sharing!!

[@kevinrobinson1815]

Brilliant, I finally know how to use a hydrometer. You’re not teaching people to suck eggs, you’re teaching the likes of me. Brilliant tutorial Thank you

[@brendanquinn6894]

Thanks for your time making these clips George.

[@mariuszengland]

Really well explained in a simple and easy to undestand way

[@christombleson9163]

Best explanation on KZbin thanks.

[@peterderby8099]

Thanks George. That really helps!

[@TheWolfster001]

Thank you, someone who explained it in terms even an idiot can understand.. Every other explanation seen and heard explained, never said any thing about subtracting the finished gravity from the first reading... Thank you for sharing.. Also I heard from "Still it" about why you are taking a much needed rest from KZbin.. I hope all goes well with you, and will be glad to see new content...

[@alvinbassjr.3950]

Thank you George for all the help

[@iwonaitomek2011]

THANK YOU! I made my first mead, I took first measure and I had no clue what to do next... Now I know!

[@vikramheble9972]

Thank you Sir, for a crisp and clear explaination.

[@roadtech2787]

so initially the gravity is different for water, beer, cider, di have this right?

[@robertyeager4996]

Extremely helpful I was confused for a couple days but now I’m spot on thank you no worries now

[@abigailmanning211]

Thank you George! Great job of explaining.

[@ashleydinning9690]

A very good and simple explanation. Thank you.

[@colt2110]

That cleared things up a bit. Thank you

[@ellenbachman7180]

thankyou your explanation was the most simple much appreciated.

[@SusanBoyd-i7x]

Oh my goodness, you finally made it make sense! Thank you!

[@eudesfernandez3909]

The best Ive found so far, thanks

[@rjfitch3]

Terrific explanation. Took a while for me to find your vid, but this was the best!

[@centraltexashomestead-mike4956]

Best video to make it as simple as possible. Thanks you Sir!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@tersemerkhet4633]

At last I've found a video on hydrometers that I understand, thanks

[@MagicalFireplaceFlames]

Sir, thank you so much for making this incredible video! Thank you!

[@myredmiprime4487]

Thnx sir i am new one in this field but ur explained so nicely that rght now my all confusions regarding hydrometer readings has been cleared

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

You are most welcome

[@gasfrommyanusi0i594]

I've done my first ever batch last night in a 6 gal bucket. I put in minute maid juice from the store lol (hold your horses wine snobs). I'm glad I did some research because it was all so new information. Just the juice brought to 4% potential alcohol. I added about 4 cups of sugar at a time. After 4 additions of more or less 4 cups of sugar I did my reading every time and brought exactly to 1.090 which is like 12.5% alcohol. Holy shoot that took a lot of sugar. Like bag and quarter worth. It's bubbling away successfully. And only now do I realize there is a calculator for chaptalizastion only that tells you exactly how much sugar to add. I wish I knew that

[@johnladd9885]

3yr old video still schooling me thanks George if it wasn't for your knowledge I wouldn't be enjoying the hobby thanks man hope to see some new content..

[@Hail2MasterChief]

Thanks George! Great video.

[@micheleclifford5184]

Thank you for the informative video. Much appreciated

[@ericfrate2124]

Awesome. Great explanation on this.

[@juntounsilenced3905]

How *exactly* do you take the OG (initial gravity, original gravity, whatever)? Scoop a beaker full of the water after dissolving sugar? Or a beaker of the mash, chunks and all? Before or after pitching yeast?

[@annak4314]

Hi, have you figured that part out yet? I am at that stage right now 😅

[@kenscrackofdoom599]

Simple and very clear. Thankyou very much.

[@kylederus2722]

Yeah you are the best person I could find that explained how to use a hydrometer. I bought a cheap one and they only have specific gravity. So this helps out I know I need a new one because my specific gravity only goes up to 1.06 which if I'm watching this correctly will only get my alcohol up to 8%. Can anybody tell me if I'm wrong or right. Thank you

[@Shannonontheroad]

This makes so much sense! Thank you!!!

[@ernesteverley5517]

Your videos are a godsend.

[@pgo301]

Very well explained Thank You!! :D

[@scotmcpherson]

Hi George. I love your videos, you really know how to explain and demonstrate concepts well. You said something that I think needs a slight correction. I don’t think you intended to say it the way you did. You said when you get below 1.000 during or after fermentation you get an extra 1 or 2% alcohol. That’s not really true. You can only get as much alcohol as your starting gravity accounts for. As you said alcohol has a lower specific gravity than water. So what that means is when you reach 1.000 you just haven’t yet consumed all of the sugar that was identified in your staring gravity, those last bits of sugar are enough to lift the density (specific gravity) of your wine. So when you get below 1.000 It’s not really “extra”, it just means you are consuming the last bits of sugar that hadn’t yet been consumed. When a 15% wine is absolutely dry it should read just about 0.990.

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Good point

[@jamessethmoore]

Great video. Very informative. Thank you

[@bradwells8643]

Your videos are the best thank you

[@relicreapers571]

Best explanation I've had thank you. Hope you can answer a question... How would you determine how much grape juice per amount of water/sugar?

[@ashtonpitzele4686]

Thank you so much! Great for new brewers like me!!

[@myfastcars]

I TOTALY agree with rsalton16 You ROCKED the explanation on how it works. No longer afraid of the STICK! Love your videos. LIKED & SUBSCRIBED! Keep up the great work!

[@BarleyandHopsBrewing]

Glad it was helpful!

[@careymercredi1594]

Thanks Gorge. This was a big help. 👍🏿

[@whmpas]

This is what I was looking for :) thank you

[@Winged-Women]

My wine making journey began during the beginning days of the Coronavirus quarantine period when I bought a Cabernet Sauvignon kit for making 1 gallon. At the time of my first batch I had not yet received my 5 gallon kit that included a hydrometer. Also, the instructions in the 1 gallon kit did not mention a hydrometer reading prior to adding yeast (or at any time), so I don’t know the initial sugar content reading. Without that number, is there any way to tell the end result alcohol content? The batch has been fermenting nicely for 11 days as I write this. Phase 2, secondary fermentation will start in a few more days. It would be nice to have an idea of the alcohol content. Regardless, thanks for making the video so my next (5 gallon) batch will have a reading before the fermentation process!

[@chuckofalltrades202]

Still very helpful information in 2023😎 Thank you

[@leahapplejohn9789]

Thanks for this. Great video

[@AndrewVaughn18]

If I’m using the same type you described to make mead and it’s reading about 1.15 in the “white” part of the scale what does that mean? It’s at about 20% projected ABV?