Correct hydrometer reading

[RC Maple]

I have made close to but not quite the amount of syrup I have expected to from the gallons of sap i've had. The syrup is also a little thicker than what I expected it might be. When finishing whether on the evaporator or the turkey fryer we have been floating the hydrometer at the bottom line or the 66 brix (tested hot). Call me crazy but should we be reading the top line at 59 brix for finished syrup? Since people talk about pulling it off @ 59 I assumed that that is why that line is there. Am I overfinishing my syrup? Go easy on me - I'm a rookie.

[SevenCreeksSap]

Good question.

It's my first time using a hydrometer too and it was definitely thicker than when bottling after the batch boiled up, which admittedly did seem thin. I floated to the the top of the bottom line and it looks nice, seems syrup consistency and tastes wonderful.
Along these lines I wonder if a test cup makes a difference or are you testing in a draw off pail or something. I don't know if the thinner cup makes a difference in your test draw. I made a test cup out of a jerky gun tube. just the right size.

[waysidemaple]

If it's hot syrup then use the top red line. The one that says hot test. The bottom line is for syrup that is at 60 degrees.

Scott

[sapman]

I'm pretty sure the 66 brix line is for a cold, 60 degree reading. The 59 should be for 211, think mine says it right on the hydrometer.

[Dennis H.]

OK here goes.
There are two lines on the hydrometer. A hot test an a cold test line. The hot test line is 211 degrees, I think the cold test is 60. I would have to look to be sure.
Why 211 for hot? I have been told that by the time you you get the test cup filled nd the hydrmeter place into the test cup the MP has dropped.

So as you can see as the temp of the syrup goes up the "thickness" of the syrup gets thinner.
I have made a chrt up, and there is one floating around here on the trader, that show what the hydrometer will read for different temps.

[sugarwoodacres]

Do you know the sugar content of sap that you started with? Im in warren county nj and its running lower sugar content than this time last year . 1.4 % average which means about 70 gal sap to 1 gal of finished syrup .

[RC Maple]

Yes, it was about 2%. I made about 3 quarts from 43 gal of sap - if I had pulled it a little sooner I might have gotten 1 gal. Thinner syrup should help filtering too.

[sugar ED]

I have made close to but not quite the amount of syrup I have expected to from the gallons of sap i've had. The syrup is also a little thicker than what I expected it might be. When finishing whether on the evaporator or the turkey fryer we have been floating the hydrometer at the bottom line or the 66 brix (tested hot). Call me crazy but should we be reading the top line at 59 brix for finished syrup? Since people talk about pulling it off @ 59 I assumed that that is why that line is there. Am I overfinishing my syrup? Go easy on me - I'm a rookie.
Hi, RC Maple
I'm with you on the thickness or less of syrup, when going by the hydrometer !. Got mine last year ,I've allway done my spoon test ( lol ) before, and like the thick syrup! But I sometimes end up with sugar rocks in the bottom of jug , even had some for 2 yrs before using and not a drop of mold .taste as goood as the day I made it!
Ok back to H meter - not sure if ur is different but I got sold the Vermont approved H meter (cost little more) but was told that Vt. has higher brix standers ??? last spring after using it on 1st. boil (about 5 gals syrup) and than on my 2nd. boil ( 6 gals syrup). I decited to go back to my spoon . But it's fun at draw off with the filters (hot and gots to be quick) . After 4 or 5 boils just looking at the little bubbles tells the drawoff time .
There is also the chance of making past syrup to sugar or worst Burn the pan ! (So maybe a good idea to finnish to your likeing/thick on stove top/turky fryer !) ..
and I'm with waysidemaple, the top red line for hot !. and sold as pure maple syrup ! Just not for my pancakes !
Good luck ,Ed