Can they make hydrometers any more fragile?

[JohnT]

This year was crazy!

I ended up breaking 4 (yes 4) hydrometers!.
Up until this year, I never had a crush where I broke more than 1.

I try to keep at least 3 in my winery, in case of things like this, but who would expect to break 4????

I have heard of hydrometers that were constructed out of metal and are mostly unbreakable. Anybody know where I might find one???

 

[BobF]

They're available at the Metal, Unbreakable Hydrometer Store ;-)

 

[UBB]

I'm on my 3rd one this year!

 

[JohnT]

They're available at the Metal, Unbreakable Hydrometer Store ;-)

LOL

I know it is an odd item. I just have never seen one and am wondering if they are obtainable.

With my luck this will end up being another "Left handed smoke shifter".

 

[BobF]

I've honestly never seen one offered. I figure it's like the appliance industry. Make stuff cheap (not inexpensive) so we have to buy another one in a few years.

I remember the Good Ole Days when you bought appliances for life.

 

[Arne]

You would think they ought to be able to figure out how to make a tougher one. After all they have figured out how to make em always stop spinning with the scale you want to read on the back side. Arne.

 

[GerardVineyard]

Everything is disposable now a days, even cars.

http://www.theonion.com/articles/general-motors-reports-record-sales-of-new-disposa,1491/

 

[Runningwolf]

Tony I am only laughing because I know how long you've been making wine and I know how frustrating it can be. Next time do your testing before sampling and partying so much. Perhaps if they just had floating balls to tell us an sg reading like they have for temperature.

I'd like to tell you I'm not laughing at you're frustrations but is be lying. Been there done that. Lol

 

[tjbryner]

http://www.thermcoproductsinc.com/plastic-hydrometers.html

 

[Rocky]

TJ, Be careful with those hydrometers. I just skimmed over that link you posted and the SG hydrometer is for liquids heavier than water, i.e. the scale does not go below 1.000. One could use it for the initial SG but not for the final in most cases.

BTW, all, I re-started making wine in January this year and had sold all my old equipment. I have not broken a single hydrometer this year. That is only because I have a back up. Had I no back up, I would have broken one months ago. Same principle as it never rains when I have my umbrella, but if I forget it, I can count on rain.

 

[ffemt128]

I had my first hydrometer for 1 1/2 years. When I broke that one I bought 3. So far I haven't broke ..... I won't say I've been lucky because then I'll jinx myself and then you know what will happen and then I'll be down to two left.

 

[mmadmikes1]

I have been trying to find one like my Dad had at his auto shop for test batteries and anti freeze. That sucker lasted 20 years in a repair shop and was still good when Dad closed up