I did the salt test (twice!) and my hydrometer is off by +7 (it shows 82). Do you think it's usable at this level of error, or should I get a new one?

Check in back, there should be a small hole with a screw inside that you can turn to adjust. Otherwise just use it knowing its that much off. In other words 82 should be 75, so you shoot for it to be at 77 which you know will be 70. Sorry if confusing and its hygrometer. Good luck.

Should be a screwdriver slot in the back.

Or you can go to wally world, radio shack, ect and pick up a digital for $15 or so.

Isn't a hydrometer a device that measures the density or specific gravity of a liquid, used in winemaking?

Wrong again--that's a hygrometer.

LOL

Who's wrong?

The author of the thread, or the idiot who posted above you ... 😉

The hydrometer is a simple instrument that measures the weight--or gravity--of a liquid in relation to the weight of water. Because the relation of the gravity to water is specified, the resulting measure is called a specific gravity. A hydrometer will float higher in a heavy liquid, such as one with a quantity of sugar dissolved in it, and lower in a light liquid, such as water or alcohol. In truth, the average winemaker has no interest in the specific gravity of a must per se, but has a very keen interest in the amount of sugar dissolved in it, for yeast converts sugar into carbon dioxide and alcohol. By knowing how much sugar one started with and ended with, one can easily calculate the resulting alcohol.

You're far from an idiot, my friend.

You've helped clarify hygro vs. hydro.

What's a Hycolinic do?

Did you mean: Hycolonic ... LOL!

I can see this thread is headed for the toilet 🙂

^ NO ifs ands or butts about it!

And that's the straight poop from me.

Howdy Doodie