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Once upon a time, people used to just shake the container of alcohol and look at the bubbles to tell the alcohol content. Nowadays, it’s even easier. You can use a specialized hydrometer called an alcohol meter that is calibrated to calculate the proof of a liquid. You can also use a distiller’s parrot to measure the alcohol content of a liquid.
Steps
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Use an alcoholmeter calibrated to the density of pure ethanol. An alcoholmeter is a hollow glass tube that floats in a liquid. Because alcohol is less dense than water, using a specialized hydrometer that is specifically designed and calibrated to measure alcohol content called an alcoholmeter allows you to measure the alcohol content of a liquid. [1] X Research source- Alcohol meters are used to measure the alcohol content of high-proof spirits.
- Check the packaging to make sure your alcoholmeter is calibrated for measuring alcohol content.
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Fill a clean container with the alcohol. Use a clear jar or a glass cup that is big enough to allow the alcoholmeter to float in the liquid without hitting the sides or bottom. Pour the alcohol you want to test into the container. Fill the container until it’s about about ¾ full. [2] X Research source- Most alcohol meters are about 10–12 inches (25–30 cm) long.
- Leave enough room so the alcoholmeter doesn’t cause the liquid to overflow when you add it.
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Lower the alcoholmeter into the liquid. Gently place the bulb side of the alcoholmeter into the liquid that you’re testing. The alcoholmeter should float freely in the center of the liquid. [3] X Research source- If it rests against the side of the container, move it back toward the center.
Tip: Hold the alcoholmeter by the end as you lower it to prevent the oils or dirt from your fingers getting into the liquid and affecting the reading.
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Rotate the alcoholmeter to remove any bubbles attached to it. In order to accurately read the alcohol content, the alcoholmeter needs to be free of any bubbles. Gently spin the alcoholmeter floating in the liquid to release any air bubbles that may be attached to it. [4] X Research source- Allow the hydrometer to stop spinning on its own and settle back into the center of the container.
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Look at the bottom of the meniscus on the alcoholmeter. The surface tension of the liquid will form an arc on the side of the hydrometer. Check the bottom of this arc in order to get an accurate reading. The number at the meniscus will tell you the proof of the alcohol in the container. [5] X Research source- The proofing scale number on the alcoholmeter corresponds to a percentage of alcohol content. So if the number at the meniscus reads “65,” then the liquid in the container has an alcohol content of 65%.
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Use a distiller’s parrot to measure the alcohol content of distilled spirits. A distiller’s parrot is a device that holds a spirit hydrometer, also known as an alcoholmeter. The alcohol is poured into a collection cup at the top, down the tubing and into a chamber that holds the alcoholmeter, allowing you to view the proof of the alcohol. [6] X Research source- Use a parrot for spirits with high alcohol contents.
- Don’t use a parrot for beer, wine, or liqueurs as the sugar content will affect the reading.
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Insert the alcoholmeter into the parrot. Place the alcoholmeter into the holding chamber of the parrot. Lower the bulb end gently. There isn’t any liquid in the container so if you drop it in, it could crack or break the alcoholmeter. [7] X Research source- Hold the alcoholmeter by the end of the stem to keep it clean from oil and dirt that may be on your fingers.
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Set a clean container beneath the spout of the parrot. When you pour the spirit into the parrot, it will run out of the spout at the other end. Place a clean container beneath the spout to collect the alcohol as it pours out of it. [8] X Research sourceTip: Use a clean, clear glass jar so you don’t contaminate the alcohol with dust or dirt.
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Fill the parrot with the alcohol. Once you’ve placed the alcoholmeter into the parrot and placed a container to collect the runoff, pour the alcohol into the collection cup. Add enough alcohol to completely fill the chamber with the alcohol meter. [9] X Research source- The alcohol should start to pour out of the spout into the container beneath it.
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Read the scale on the side of the alcoholmeter. As the alcoholmeter floats in the chamber, take a reading at the bottom of the meniscus, or the arc in the liquid against the alcoholmeter. This reading will give you the proof of the alcohol and tell you its alcohol content. [10] X Research source- For example, if the number at the bottom of the meniscus is “97” then the alcohol content is 97%.
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References
- ↑ https://youtu.be/dytv8SH8OQI?t=9
- ↑ https://youtu.be/VouYRKecnxc?t=20
- ↑ https://youtu.be/VouYRKecnxc?t=44
- ↑ https://youtu.be/VouYRKecnxc?t=52
- ↑ https://youtu.be/VouYRKecnxc?t=57
- ↑ https://youtu.be/IVs2UPYBFJU?t=9
- ↑ https://youtu.be/dytv8SH8OQI?t=67
- ↑ https://youtu.be/dytv8SH8OQI?t=67
- ↑ https://youtu.be/dytv8SH8OQI?t=78
Community Q&A
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QuestionWhy is the burn test not used for measuring alcohol content?Ilovepython103Community AnswerThe burn test is effective for determining the presence of alcohol. It does not tell you the amount of alcohol. It is also destructive (uses fire), and burns the alcohol when done, making it unusable. Also, there are false positives that can occur. This article helps you find the amount of alcohol per volume for a substance that you know contains alcohol.
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QuestionWhat does a reading of 1.018 to 1.015 convert to in alcohol content?BFox5Community AnswerA drop of 3 points from 1.018 to 1.015 will produce approximately 0.39% alcohol by volume.
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QuestionIs there any at-home method to test wine to see if it has any alcohol in it?Rahmat Ahmad FauziCommunity AnswerYes, there are a few at-home methods to test for the presence of alcohol in wine: (1) Alcohol test strips: These are similar to pH strips but designed to detect alcohol. You dip the strip into the wine, and it will change color if alcohol is present. (2) Evaporation test: Alcohol evaporates faster than water. You can place a small amount of wine on a plate and let it sit in a warm place. If it evaporates quickly, it's likely due to the presence of alcohol. (3) Hydrometer: A hydrometer can be used to measure the specific gravity of the wine before and after fermentation. A significant drop in specific gravity indicates the conversion of sugar to alcohol.
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Things You’ll Need
Using an Alcoholmeter
- Alcoholmeter
- Clean glass container
- Alcohol
Proofing with a Distiller’s Parrot
- Distiller’s parrot
- Proofing hydrometer
- Distilled alcohol
- Clean container
About This Article
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