Measuring Alcohol
- Thread starter ehlenrg
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You should always use you SG and FG numbers.
You will get mixed reviews on the vinometer. I have one and love it but I only use it on white wines. If the wine is sweet, I cut with water 50/50 and double my reading. I also except that the reading I get is "close" to what the actual ABV might be........... then again it could be 100%........ Don't know, as you'll never see 11."67" % on my labels...........
Edited by: jobe05
You will get mixed reviews on the vinometer. I have one and love it but I only use it on white wines. If the wine is sweet, I cut with water 50/50 and double my reading. I also except that the reading I get is "close" to what the actual ABV might be........... then again it could be 100%........ Don't know, as you'll never see 11."67" % on my labels...........
Edited by: jobe05
I have the equipment to measure the ABV accurately (distilling setup, volumetric flasks, and proof hydrometer)
Send me a sample and I'll run it for you!
[email protected]
Send me a sample and I'll run it for you!
[email protected]
Sure . . . the reason that you need to "process" the wine is that there are dissolved solids and stuff that throws off the reading. So, what you do is take a measured volume of wine, say 500ml. You boil it (gently) while watching the vapor temperature. Alcohol boils at a lower temperature than the water plus solids. The vapor is sent through a condenser, where it, well, condenses back into alcohol. You collect the alcohol. When the vapor temperature starts to rise, you have collected all the alcohol in the sample, plus a bit of water.
A rough ABV is the amount collected divided by 500ml times 100%.
To get an accurate reading, add distilled water to the collection to bring it back to the original volume of 500ml. Use the proof hydrometer to get a reading of the % Alcohol By Volume. If it's out of range, you can dilute the product and multiply the reading accordingly.
Simple, eh?
A rough ABV is the amount collected divided by 500ml times 100%.
To get an accurate reading, add distilled water to the collection to bring it back to the original volume of 500ml. Use the proof hydrometer to get a reading of the % Alcohol By Volume. If it's out of range, you can dilute the product and multiply the reading accordingly.
Simple, eh?
I bought the rig from Mountain Home Biologicals. It consists of a boiling flask and ring, stand, condenser, and two clamps. The fire is extra, as is the thermometer and drilled stopper, and of course the volumetric flask(s) and/or graduated cylinder. And fire insurance. And a bribe to keep the BATF out of your garage!
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