Susan Setley on sat 6 mar 04
=?ISO-8859-1?Q?hydrometer?=
In a message dated 3/6/04 7:39:07 AM, john@FROGPONDPOTTERY.COM writes:
> I suggest you don't. Measure specific gravity instead. There was a post
> about 2 days ago on this very subject. You can probably find it in the
> archives.
>
> John
>
I have a commercial hydrometer I purchased, I *think* from Axner, for $15.00.
It is calibrated and easy to use, but it takes a lot of depth. Well, I don't
make anything in large quantities. I wanted to know the specific gravity of
the terra sig I had made. So I made a tall cylinder out of three long slabs of
clay. I poured the terra sig in it so there was enough depth to use the
hydrometer.
As I suspected, my terra sig was too thin.
Well, I have had it in an open batter bowl on a windowsill for TWO WEEKS and
it doesn't evaporate down. It's quite amazing. I think something in the clay
particles form a film that blocks the water. The specific gravity has stayed at
1.10 for two weeks.
I have learned a very good lesson from my $15 investment: next time I make
the terra sig, I will use 20% less water. It's easier to add water than remove
it.
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