Accurate sugar content reading

[BristolHills]

Hey folks, does sugar gravitate to the bottom of a 55 gallon drum ? Also does temperature of sap create different readings ??

[Bricklayer]

What are you using to measure sugar?
I have a Hanna digital refractometer and it auto compensates for temp but you have to let it sit in the cup for about 15-20 seconds I find to get an accurate reading. I don't have a sap hydrometer. So if that's what your using then I'm sure there is a chart for temp compensation.
I don't think sugar will settle on bottom. It's a dissolved solid. I think anyways. I'm sure there is a scientific explanation.
If your mixing concentrate with straight sap I'm sure it would be different and the concentrate would want to go to the bottom of the tank.

[Sugarmaker]

No and probably not.
regards,
Chris

[DrTimPerkins]

Hey folks, does sugar gravitate to the bottom of a 55 gallon drum ?

No. The sugar is dissolved. The only time you may get a concentration developing is if the syrup starts to crystallize, but the liquid will all be pretty much the same.


Also does temperature of sap create different readings ??

Yes, but some refractometers automatically temperature compensate (ATC) for this.