sap hydrometer

[ejmaple]

just received a sap hydrometer today and was wondering if when reading it, is it as symple as if it reads 4 then the sap is 4 % sugar? also if the temp is off from 38 degrees that its calabrated to, is there a symple way a converting it in the shack or woods? thanks ed

[Grade "A"]

The numbers you see is the % of sugar, so 4 is 4% sugar. The temp of sap will change the reading but I don't know how much.

[markct]

i think that brix is the same as percent, atleast that is what i have always been assuming and my sap hydrometer readings seemed to always be about logical for brix equaling percent. i too want to find a chart for the temp compensation, i usualy try and warm the sap or cool the hydrometer cup in a snowbank if i have to.

[mfchef54]

do a search. someone recently posted one. just can't remember what it was under.

[johnallin]

EJ Maple,
I had the same question last week in the Brix Forum. This is what was sent. Hope this helps you, it sure helped me.

"I think this is what you are looking for. Most sap hydrometers are calibrated for 38 degrees F:

for 32-46F, add .0 brix
for 47-56F, add .1 brix
for 57-61F, add .2 brix
for 62-64F, add .3 brix
for 65-68F, add .4 brix
for 69-72F, add .5 brix
for 73-75F, add .6 brix

Above 75 degrees, I think you need to hit the beach"

[ejmaple]

thanks everyone.

ed

[KenWP]

I looked at a syrup hydrometer today. Its only 10 bucks but for some reason the red line is at 60 brix and the instructions are in french and so complicated I said the hell with it and will use a thermometer. for some reason its calibrated to work at 148 degrees which makes no sense to me what so ever. I would think a guy would want to know the brix at the temp its coming off the evaporator.

[tylerj]

EJ Maple,
I had the same question last week in the Brix Forum. This is what was sent. Hope this helps you, it sure helped me.

"I think this is what you are looking for. Most sap hydrometers are calibrated for 38 degrees F:

for 32-46F, add .0 brix
for 47-56F, add .1 brix
for 57-61F, add .2 brix
for 62-64F, add .3 brix
for 65-68F, add .4 brix
for 69-72F, add .5 brix
for 73-75F, add .6 brix

Above 75 degrees, I think you need to hit the beach"

If I read the above correctly... does that mean as long as the sap is between 32-46F then whatever it reads on my sap hydrometer (0-12% cal. to 38) that should be the correct sugar %?? I just want to make sure I haven't been collecting rainwater the last few days. My sap in my 55 gallon barrels is very cold probably at 32 or just above as there is ice in there not melting.