A still turns heat, copper and vapor into an experiment, and an experiment needs a way to measure the result. This hydrometer set gives you that. If you're new and setting up your first copper still kit, this is one of the simplest tools to learn, and one of the most useful.
What's in the box
- A Proof & Tralle hydrometer that reads both proof and alcohol by volume (ABV)
- A glass test jar to hold your sample
- A protective storage tube to keep the hydrometer safe between uses
- Easy-to-read scale markings, so you aren't squinting at tiny lines
How hard is it?
Not hard at all. A hydrometer is a weighted glass float. Put it in a liquid and it sinks to a certain depth, and the scale at the surface tells you the reading. There's no battery, no setup and no calibration menu. If you can pour a sample and read a ruler, you can use one. These are accurate, lab-tested instruments, so you can trust the numbers while you learn.
Your first steps
- Fill the glass test jar with enough sample that the hydrometer floats freely.
- Lower the hydrometer in gently and give it a small spin so it doesn't stick to the side of the jar.
- Read the scale where the liquid surface crosses it, at eye level.
- Write it down. Tracking readings run after run is how a beginner starts thinking like a scientist.
- Rinse it, dry it and put it back in its storage tube.
Good habits start with good measurements. Owning a still is legal in the US, and stills are also used for water and essential oils, but distilling alcohol requires federal (TTB) permits. Always follow federal, state and local law.
