Alside101
Landlord.
what is the best.
refractometer or hydrometer?
- Thread starter Alside101
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BlackIsland
An Ode to Beer
Since this in posted in the beer brewing equipment discussion, I'll assume you are asking for beer.
During the brew session, the refractometer is a great tool because it doesn't require a large sample, so you can quickly cool a few drops to measure your pre-boil gravity, make checks along the way if you need to, and can get a post boil OG easily. But once fermentation has started, the alcohol will throw the readings off such that you'll need a formula for correction, and while many formulas are out there, at this point speed and temperature are less of an issue, so a hydrometer works much easier.
That said, you should calibrate your refractometer to your hydrometer across several batches of several grain bills of several gravities, and calculate the proper correction factor for conversion. This is what I used to calibrate my refractometer: https://www.brewersfriend.com/how-to-determine-your-refractometers-wort-correction-factor/
During the brew session, the refractometer is a great tool because it doesn't require a large sample, so you can quickly cool a few drops to measure your pre-boil gravity, make checks along the way if you need to, and can get a post boil OG easily. But once fermentation has started, the alcohol will throw the readings off such that you'll need a formula for correction, and while many formulas are out there, at this point speed and temperature are less of an issue, so a hydrometer works much easier.
That said, you should calibrate your refractometer to your hydrometer across several batches of several grain bills of several gravities, and calculate the proper correction factor for conversion. This is what I used to calibrate my refractometer: https://www.brewersfriend.com/how-to-determine-your-refractometers-wort-correction-factor/
Alside101
Landlord.
beer i was thinking of the fact that you only need a few drops to test. thanks for the info
al
al
brisboy
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I personally use just a refractometer as I only do 5-10 L batches so a couple of drops for a sample is very helpful. Aside from a standard hydrometer there are also finishing hydrometers which are designed to just read final gravity accurately.
