How do you check Capacitors?

[otokomae]

I'm wondering how to check capacitors to see if they are working right or not.  I'm using this multimeter --->  http://www.awsperry.com/cgi-bin/db_search2.cgi?name=SP-6A&sort_by=8&submit_search=More&session_key=&exact_match=on&item=sp-6a  ,  usually on the ohm meter setting, but a lot of times I can't get any reading at all from capacitors, even brand new ones, but sometimes I do get a reading, which is kind of confusing.  Am I testing them the wrong way?  If it helps, I've got metal film, poly film, and electrolytic caps that I'm working with, in the values listed for this pedal
--->   http://www.generalguitargadgets.com/index.php?option=content&task=view&id=66&Itemid=98
There's a parts list you can click on to see the values, and a parts layout if it helps anything.  Thanks!!!

[Hal]

on ohms - it should spike up, then return to infinity, speed depending on capacatince and voltage/current of your meter.

if you get some sort of 'resistance' reading, it means the cap's bad.  You need a cap meter to measure the capacatince.

[otokomae]

OK, infinity means the needle goes back to the starting point, right?  Thanks!!!  I think I might have found the bad cap then!!!

[Lonestarjohnny]

the best way is with a Cap Tester, I use a Heathkit IT-28, I think it's 1 of the best and you can sometime's find a cheap 1 on ebay,
You can actually reform your cap's with this tester and it check's for all the thing's that need testing,
Johnny

[Fret Wire]

Here's an economical one for quick value testing and sorting out caps.

http://www.electronickits.com/gold/capacitancemeter.htm

[petemoore]

lol...I use a 'Readymade' capacitor tester, a Fuzz Face.
 Actually most Fuzz inputs give a relational sense by ear, changing the sound in a predictable manner...I know what going to .01uf from .1uf differences sound like enough to combine that with the numbers and figure out what's what.
 The performance of the capacitors I'm using seems to be very good. As long as I follow voltage ratings and polarity on polarized caps, I don't remember having problems with them. I've tried alot of capacitors.