Re: [EE] Measuring increasing mass over a 1/2 day period

Why not measure the mass directly? If you place the vessel on a metal 
grid (lever) pivoted on one side of the burner and the other end on a 
scale or load cell, you could measure the mass in real time as you cook 
the vessel.




If the pot is electric the whole thing may be able to be placed on the 
lever.

Allen


On 3/12/2026 12:55 PM, Chuck Olson wrote:
> The mass in question would start at 263 grams (container mass) and
> increase over 11+ hours to 4000+ grams (container mass plus about 1
> gallon of water).
>
> I am trying to measure the distilled water output from a boil of maple
> sap.  I use a Still Spirits Air Still.  With the still it's like
> making candy blindfolded.  I can't measure the temperature or the
> specific gravity of the maple syrup or even see what is happening.
>
> But I can measure the input maple sap for mass and sugar
> concentration.  From that I can calculate the amount of maple syrup I
> should be able to get at a concentration of 67 percent sugar by mass.
>
> I do have a kitchen scale which can handle 6000 grams but the problem
> is that it times out and every subsequent powerup the measurement is
> zeroed (tare function).  I suppose there are AC powered digital scales
> which might stay on for 11+ hours but would the measurements still be
> accurate after that time ?
>
> The only thing I can think of is to wait until near the end of the
> boil and then start measuring the mass but that's a hassle trying to
> put the scale under the container while the still is continuously
> dripping.
>
> Any ideas ?
>
> Chuck