Sciencemadness Discussion Board

Calculating ABV of ethanol distillate using a specific gravity hydrometer

Big Boss - 4-6-2017 at 09:42

Has anyone know how the ABV of ethanol distillate could be calculated using a hydrometer?
These hydrometers are intended for use in calculating the ABV of a wash and the gravity will gradually lower as the yeast ferment the sugar. Eventually the specific gravity will lower beyond that of the density of pure water as alcohol is less dense.

I'm thinking you could dilute say 10mL of your distillate into something like 100mL of water and then take a hydrometer reading and calculate the value based on that somehow.
Any ideas?


[Edited on 4-6-2017 by Big Boss]

UC235 - 4-6-2017 at 10:49

Check a density, find it in this chart:

http://www.handymath.com/cgi-bin/ethanolwater3.cgi?submit=En...

Sulaiman - 4-6-2017 at 11:06

Or buy this set or similar. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/3X-Hydrometer-Alcohol-Meter-Vinome...

Correction for temperature is very important.