Can Somebody Give Me SIMPLE/DIRECT Hydrometer Instructions?

[critterhunter]

We didn't use a hydrometer on this first attempt at wine and it seems to be doing well (pear wine), but for the next batch I'd like to use one of these devices to fine tune things. Problem is everything I can dig up seems obscure or with fuzzy instructions.

What I need is a simple "HOW TO" on using these things, how to read them, and what you are shooting for. The way I understand it you use one before adding the yeast (?) to determine if the sugar needs fine tuned, and then you use one down the road to determine alchohol content?

 

[Runningwolf]

Look in our tutorials. Steve just posted one last week.

 

[winemaker_3352]

Check out the tutorials section - Steve has done a wonderful job with detailed instructions on this.

 

[KSmith3011]

You got the basic idea. Keep track of the numbers because it will let you know how much potential alcohol you have. When I first started, the best place to go was Youtube. That way you can ""see" what they are talking about. This is a good site too
http://www.grapestompers.com/hydrometer_use.asp