Looking for way to store hydrometer between tests that is clumsiness proof

I just broke my second maple syrup hydrometer (the one that I use to test if the almost-syrup that I'm heating has become syrup):

1. In the cup? I used to place it in the test cup between tests, but I shattered the first one by dropping it, instead of gently placing it, into the test cup when there wasn't any liquid in the cup.
2. On a plastic mat? Then I started placing both the hydrometer and the test cup next to each other on a ribbed plastic mat, but I shattered the second one when I jarred the mat, and the test cup fell over on the hydrometer.

Now I'm looking for a third way to store the hydrometer between tests. Have any of you worked one out that is clumsiness proof?

I've kept hydrometers in a couple of different places:

1. In the test cup in syrup handing on the side of the evaporator pan to keep it hot and protected. To use, I take out the hydrometer and hold it in one hand while I fill the cup a few times with hot syrup with the other. This gets everything nice and hot, after which I put the hydrometer carefully into the syrup to test.

2. In a bucket of hot water. This keeps it protected, clean and hot until I need it. You should dry it off with a paper towel before putting it into the syrup though.

When not being used, they are cleaned, dried, and stored in the plastic container or box they came in.

I keep mine in a small plastic bucket of hot water, rinse it off immediately after using and set in water

I keep the one I'm using in my hydrometer cup, lowered gently in after cleaning it in a stream of hot permeate. I have 3 or 4 spares just in case.

I just bought something from Amazon that might work:

I'll either hang it on the inside of the pot that I'm testing or the inside edge of my sink.

We have two cups hanging on the evaporator. One has water in it with the hydrometer. The other is empty and ready to be filled with syrup for testing.

I leave my cup full of syrup with it in. Lift out with one hand, dump and refill with the other. Back into the cup it goes.


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I hang my cup in the float box and gently set my hydrometer into it. When I'm ready to do a test I hold the hydrometer in the hand that I'm holding the cup in and work the draw off with the other. Being gentle is what it's all about. I gently lower the hydrometer into the test syrup so that the hydrometer doesn't bang off of the bottom of the cup and then open or close the draw off as needed. If the hydrometer is stuck to the test cup I fill it with hot syrup to free it up.

All good suggestions. I've broken many, learned the hard way. We use a coffee thermos. Works pretty good

I'm going to be installing a holder on the wall next to the evaporator. A simple piece of 1" pvc pipe with a end cap glued on one end and clamped to the wall. I will stick a piece of foam in the bottom to protect from a drop. I'm going to make several more to hang on the inside of the cupboard door of the cabinet the are kept in in between uses. I went through several last year :(