Ranking of the best hydrometers for alcohol in 2024

The hydrometer-alcoholometer is an easy-to-use liquid density meter. This tool is essential for making wine, moonshine and other types of alcohol. It shows what percentage of alcohol the drink contains and whether the result was exactly the one that was originally planned.

Varieties

With the help of alcohol hydrometers, the quality control of alcoholic beverages is carried out both at work and at home.

According to their functionality and other features, devices are divided into categories and types, and each of them is suitable for solving a particular task.

Categories and types of hydrometers:

• household: glass flasks with weights, scale range from 0 to 90%;
• laboratory: professional meters with the highest possible accuracy, glass (ASP-1, ASP-2, ASP-3) and metal.
• optical: used for liquids with impurities (wine, liquor), range from 0 to 40%, differ in accuracy, do not require compliance with the temperature regime;
• vial: small device, scale from 0 to 96%, often shows inaccurate results;
• winemakers: determines the strength and sugar level, the scale range is relatively small, for sugar from 0 to 25%, alcohol - from 0 to 12%.

How an alcohol meter works

After purchasing a hydrometer, a problem may arise: the new owner cannot always understand the instructions and understand how the device works. At the same time, not everyone observes some of the nuances prescribed in the annotations, and without taking them into account, difficulties may arise with the use of the apparatus and the accuracy of indicators.

It would seem that everything is extremely simple: you need to immerse a hydrometer containing a load of a certain mass in a liquid. At the same time, the meter will push out part of the liquid and float to the surface to the determining degree of division.

But! Measurements that beginners carry out without understanding all the intricacies of the process sometimes give out just crazy results. For example, the device can show the strength of moonshine as much as 98 degrees.

To prevent such oversights from happening, you need to carefully study the issue and take into account all the small details:

• for each task, a certain type of device should be used: for example, household or laboratory ones, with a scale of 0-100% only for home brewing or other strong drinks of a homogeneous composition;
• store such specialized equipment only in its original packaging;
  be sure to observe the temperature regime of use;
• measure liquids containing impurities only with optical or electronic alcohol meters, as well as with wine meters.

The process of determining the degree with a hydrometer

Before starting work, it is important to make sure that the device is in good working order and that there are no defects in the form of scratches and cracks.

Further:

• wipe the alcoholometer dry, remove all dust and grease particles;
• pour the solution into a tall vessel and heat to 20 degrees Celsius;
• Carefully immerse the wide part of the alcohol meter in the liquid, trying not to touch the walls of the container;
• after the device stops wiggling and stops at the same level, you can evaluate the result;
• remove the hydrometer, wipe dry and return to the package.

How to choose a hydrometer-alcoholometer

With home winemaking and home brewing, you cannot do without a measuring device to determine the strength of the drink.

It is easy to buy a hydrometer - it is freely sold in stores, you just need to know exactly which model is suitable for the tasks.

The criteria for choosing a quality meter are simple and understandable even for beginners, the most important thing is to carefully study the issue:

• specify for yourself the purpose of the purchase: decide what kind of drink will be prepared, the type and category of the selected device depends on it;
• pay attention to both new items and popular models of the best manufacturers, compare which company is better;
• examine product reviews on the official websites of online stores;
• decide on the financial side, whether the device is needed at a budgetary cost or more expensive;
• before buying, familiarize yourself with the functionality, compare the level of quality and prices for models of Chinese and Russian production;
• decide whether to order online from AliExpress or another Internet resource, or it is better to visit a specialized store yourself.

Mistakes when choosing and buying a product are usually standard and lead, in the end, to losses and disappointment:

• rush to buy;
• inattentive study of all the qualities of the device and the place where it is sold.

In order not to have to overpay for an unsuitable product once again, we have compiled a rating of high-quality hydrometers for alcohol for 2024. It presents the best meters of various types and categories, one of which is sure to suit your needs.

Best laboratory hydrometers

ASP-T

Average price: 500 rubles.

The ASP-T device is used to control the degree in an alcohol-containing liquid in percentage. Additionally includes a thermometer. If you need to dilute alcohol with water, then this meter is exactly what you need.

Such an alcohol meter is used mainly in laboratories at specialized factories and enterprises to monitor the quality of the raw materials received. But even at home, many "pros" in home brewing prefer this model. According to buyers, the ASP-T meter has high accuracy and is easy to use.

A qualitative measurement result depends on two factors: compliance with a temperature of 20 ± 2 ° C and the purity of the solution without impurities (only water and alcohol). Due to the fact that a thermometer is built into the device, you can set the temperature of the liquid and measure the percentage of alcohol at the same time.

The ASP-T meter complies with the GOST 18481-81 standards, has a passport and a certificate of passing the factory inspection.

The device is divided into two types, in accordance with the measurement scale range: ASP-T 0-60% and ASP-T 60-100%.

It is a glass tube with a weighting agent in its widened lower part.
The easy-to-use and reliable ASP-T hydrometer is inexpensive, anyone can buy it, so it is in high demand in the market.

• ease of use:
• exact result

• not found

ASP-1, ASP-2, ASP-3

Average price: 300 rubles.

A control and measuring device of the ASP (1,2,3) type differs from its fellow ASP-T in the absence of a thermometer. The main functionality remains unchanged: determination of the strength in alcohol-containing solutions without impurities.

The scale range depends on the type of instrument, so the common value for all meters is a scale from 11 to 101%. But they are divided into types according to the range: 0-40%, 11-16%, 21-26%, etc.

The name of the hydrometer also includes an indication of its ability to determine the degree level, for example: ASP-1 90-100, ASP-2 11-16, ASP-3 70-100.

• extended scale range to choose from;
• inexpensive.

• does not have.

Refractometer (optical alcohol meter)

Average price: 2800 rubles.

The RHW-80VATC refractometer measures the volume fraction of alcohol in grape must, alcoholic beverages and sugar. This analysis helps producers determine the optimal time for harvesting and monitor the winemaking process in general.

The refractometer is also designed for quick measurement in the smallest quantities of liquid, just a few drops. The device has a minimum error and is used in professional circles among brewers and winemakers.

The measuring range is from 0 to 80%, the most simple and convenient to use, equipped with automatic temperature compensation functions and does not need a power supply.

Sold in an impact-resistant plastic or aluminum case, includes a sample pipette, a calibration screwdriver and a tissue.

• ease of use;
• maximum accuracy;
• autonomy:
• automatic temperature compensation.

• does not have.

The best household hydrometers

Winemakers

Average price: 100 rubles.

Wine-metering sugar meters are used at home by amateur winemakers to control the strength and sugar level of wines and liqueurs, as well as the fermentation process. The scale range of such a device is small: for sugar - 0-25%, for alcohol - 0-12%.

Outwardly it differs from other devices for measuring the density of a liquid only in that it has a double measurement range: for sugar and alcohol.

To check the accuracy of the wine meter, you need to lower it into a container with warm (20 ± 2 ° C) clean water. A working hydrometer will have all indicators at zero.

• two functions in one device;
• low price.

• not found.

Wineglass

Average price: 60 rubles.

A miniature device that can be used to determine the strength of any drink right in the glass. Measurement range: 0-96%.

Serious "pros" winemakers will not choose such a device for preparing a drink, it is more like a comic gift or a way to show off their knowledge and skills during a feast.

• compactness;
• low price.

• high error.

We have created a table for a more convenient selection of the desired device

Conclusion

There is an opinion among the people that everything made by hand has many useful properties and a minimum of harmful impurities. That is why many lovers of high-quality alcohol are engaged in the production of their natural product.

In home winemaking, one cannot do without specialized equipment, especially a hydrometer-alcohol meter. In our rating, we have included the best devices for the production of alcoholic beverages.