TTB Certified hydrometer

[jrfalcon]

In case I missed something, is a certified hydrometer required for proof when bottling, Thanks 

[Tom Lenerz]

Yes

[bluefish_dist]

If by certified, you mean calibrated, yes.  

[MGL]

You need calibrated hydrometers for everything in the distillery. If it aint calibrated then who knows if it's 120 proof or 130 proof? You also need to do it yearly.

[jrfalcon]

Any recommendations

[MGL]

search the forum.

 

[DenverDeviation]

4 minutes ago, MGL said:

search the forum.

 

Can’t we just be helpful, or not respond at all...

I recently ‘searched the forum’, and of the recommendations from posters interested in helping others, Kessler had the best pricing.  Here are some of of the prices I was quoted in November.

[bluefish_dist]

From Cole pharmer, the basic hydrometer runs $35-$40.  The real cost is calibration.  

[Dehner Distillery]

nova-tech.com

 

[Silk City Distillers]

Cole-Parmer is currently the cheapest source, they are much cheaper than Nova-tech now.  I bought a couple of the H-B Durac stems as spares from Walmart.com once, of all places, at something like $25 each.

Every once in a while they'll send customers a 20% coupon, which does apply to calibration costs, which is a pretty big deal.

Only thing, who knows about the timing.

[MGL]

15 hours ago, DenverDeviation said:

Can’t we just be helpful, or not respond at all...

I recently ‘searched the forum’, and of the recommendations from posters interested in helping others, Kessler had the best pricing.  Here are some of of the prices I was quoted in November.

Wasnt tryin to be rude. Just was short of time. I am not google and did provide help, it would have taken jrfalcon less time to write 'hydrometer' in the search bar and get the results he needed than it would have taken for me to copy and past all the links. There is more information in that search engine than in this entire thread so theres no point in going any further than the search.

[aellison]

Hello, I was hoping to find some kind of definitive answer as well.  I am researching this forum everyday.

1. Which hydrometers do we actually need here for the TTB.  There are ones for $328 with a certifcate and calibrated.  How often should these be bought? or calibrated?  Six months a year?

0 to 20 Proof, IRS F Alcohol Hydrometer, (0.2 subdivisions) w/ NIST, 3 Point Certification 

6613-F-C | 0 to 20 Proof, IRS F Alcohol Hydrometer, (0.2 subdivisions) w/ NIST, 3 Point Certification (novatech-usa.com) 

$328.13 

Then there are ones for around $55 that seem to be calibrated, but no certificate?

0 to 20 Proof, IRS F Alcohol Hydrometer, (0.2 subdivisions) 

6613-F | 0 to 20 Proof, IRS F Alcohol Hydrometer, (0.2 subdivisions) (novatech-usa.com) 

$55.34 

2.Then what kind of scale would work and how often should that be calibrated?  Everything needs to be weighed, but can we not just use the volume and then calculate the weight with the TTB tables?

Thanks in advance and sorry if this has been discussed already.  I've probably read the posts, but I am looking for clarification and/or what others have been doing.

Cheers!

[jocko]

The problem is proving they are calibrated. I'm sure they are accurate but if challenged, how can you prove it without a calibration certificate?

[Jedd Haas]

1. Buy a set of calibrated hydrometers. Store the certificates in a safe place. Note that the certificates refer to the serial numbers of the hydrometers.

2. Take note of the calibration offsets listed on the certificates and enter them in a spreadsheet.

3. Buy a set of "working hydrometers" that are all the same ranges as the calibrated hydrometers.

3. Using a 2000ml graduated cylinder, measure a calibrated hydrometer and a working hydrometer simultaneously.

4. Enter the the measurements in the spreadsheet, and calculate the difference between the calibrated and working hydrometers.

5. Using the calibration offset for the certified hydrometers, calculate the total offset for the working hydrometers.

6. Bear in mind that "calibrated" hydrometers aren't actually calibrated. Rather, you're paying hundreds of dollars for a certificate that states the offset from the true reading. By measuring both hydrometers simultaneously, you can then calculate the offset for the working hydrometer as described above.

7. Make a label for your hydrometer box with the offset for each hydrometer. Enter this offset into AlcoDens when taking measurements.

8. Make a "daily records" calibration form and document all calibrations.

9. Repeat the calibration of working hydrometers as needed, or whenever you get a new working hydrometer.

[aellison]

Thank you for the reply @Jedd Haas !  This is very helpful information and does truly clarify this.