Alcoholmeters are alcohol level control tools
that can give good accuracy if the rules of use are well respected.

Instructions for the daily use of alcoholmeters:

– Use a 250 ml transparent glass or polypropylene test tube. Tilt it slightly to pour in, without turbulence, approximately 200ml of your product.

– To avoid the risk of leaving traces of grease, handle the alcoholmeters by holding them by the top of the stem while positioning one hand below the alcoholmeter.

– Gently plunge the alcoholmeter into the test tube, holding it by the stem and applying a slight rotational movement.

– The alcoholmeter must sink without constraint, without friction on the edges of the test specimen. It is necessary to avoid that the alcoholmeter plunges too much into the product and rises. The part of the stem that will remain emerged must remain as dry as possible.

– After stabilization, read the alcohol level at eye level, below the meniscus formed by the liquid.

– Measure the temperature of the liquid to convert the alcohol measurement to 20°C. For the conversion refer to the article “Alcohometry Guide” and the use of the Boxette “Alcoholometric conversion“

– Rinse the alcoholmeter with demineralized water, possibly with a little neutral alcohol, dry it with a non-abrasive paper and put it back on its rack.

Alcoholmeters can become covered with a thin film of fat invisible to the naked eye, which in the long run will distort the measurements.

To maintain good accuracy, effective cleaning is necessary.

Complete cleaning procedure, to be used  in case of doubts on the results and/or appearance of traces on the alcoholmeter:

Caution, caustic soda is a dangerous product that can cause serious injury. It is imperative to wear protective clothing, goggles and gloves during this manipulation.

– Prepare a 1L test tube with alcohol at 90% vol.

– Prepare a 1L test tube with liquid caustic soda.

– Soak the alcoholmeter in the test tube containing alcohol for several hours. Thoroughly rinse the alcoholmeter with tap water.

– Soak the alcoholmeter in the test tube containing the soda for several hours.
Thoroughly rinse the alcoholmeter with tap water, then rinse it with demineralised, reverse osmosis or distilled water.

– Dry the alcoholmeter with a non-abrasive paper towel and put it back on its rack.