ALCOHOMETERS

Laboratory Alcoholmeters

Alcoholmeters are measuring instruments designed to determine the percentage of alcohol in hydroalcoholic mixtures by measuring the liquid’s density. They are commonly used in laboratories, distilleries, and the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries for quality control and verification of alcoholic strength.

These instruments provide a direct reading in percentage by volume (% vol), usually in Gay-Lussac degrees, provided the sample consists only of water and ethanol.

How an alcoholmeter works

An alcoholmeter operates according to Archimedes’ principle.

When the instrument is placed in a liquid, the depth to which it sinks depends on the mixture’s density:

• Higher alcohol content → lower density → sinks deeper
• Lower alcohol content → higher density → sinks less

The graduated scale allows the alcoholic strength to be read at the liquid’s surface.

Most alcoholmeters are calibrated at 20 °C, so if the measurement is taken at a different temperature, the corresponding correction must be applied.

Types of alcoholmeters available

In this category, you will find laboratory alcoholmeters manufactured according to O.I.V. and E.E.C. standards, calibrated at 20 °C and compliant with UNE 43346 and DIN 12803, Class II, with batch certification to ensure accuracy in measuring ethanol percentage by volume.

Available models come in different graduation ranges to suit various alcohol concentration levels, for example:

• 0–10 % vol
• 10–20 % vol
• 20–30 % vol
• 30–40 % vol
• 40–50 % vol
• 50–60 % vol
• 60–70 % vol
• 70–80 % vol
• 80–90 % vol
• 90–100 % vol
• Combined ranges: 0–20, 20–40, 40–60, 60–80, and 80–100 % vol

The instruments are available with divisions of 0.1 or 0.2 units, allowing you to choose between higher reading resolution or a wider measurement range depending on the application.

Using specific ranges improves accuracy in quality control, especially in laboratory, distillery, and industrial analysis.

Recommendations for accurate measurement

To obtain reliable results, it is recommended to:

• Use a tall cylinder or measuring jar that allows the instrument to float freely
• Avoid air bubbles adhering to the glass
• Measure at the calibration temperature or apply correction
• Work with samples free of sugars or dissolved solids

For fermented beverages, the sample must be distilled beforehand before measuring alcoholic strength.

Buying alcoholmeters for laboratory use

At Pobel, you will find laboratory alcoholmeters in various ranges and accuracies, suitable for quality control, chemical analysis, and industrial applications.

If you need help choosing the right model, our technical team can advise you based on the type of measurement and the required concentration range.