Hydrometer/refractometer

[Derekmr]

does anyone use a refractometer?
Or always hydrometer?

 

[LED_ZEP]

I keep threatening to get one (refractometer) but never got round to it.

Just ordered one.

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
Have both, use both.

 

[chewie]

I use both, refractometer is excellent for starting gravity and if you use real fruit for wine or cider giving you a sugar content.

 

[Honk]

Used both for a while now just the refractometer, much easier to read for me and tiny sample required.

 

[-Bezza-]

Have a read of this: https://www.brewersfriend.com/2013/...rrectly-for-maximum-accuracy-in-home-brewing/

 

[jceg316]

I've thought about getting a refractometer but I've read they shouldn't be used for FG readings. Do they also need to be temperature adjusted like hydrometers?

EDIT: Just read your link @Bezza which has useful info there.

Is it difficult to calibrate considering it needs to be done every time before a reading?

 

[-Bezza-]

Is it difficult to calibrate considering it needs to be done every time before a reading?

No idea - I read that link and got put off by the whole idea!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it - and my hydrometer gives me a good indication of OG and FG, and I've not needed anything to be super accurate. Plenty of other shiny things to buy first.

 

[jceg316]

No idea - I read that link and got put off by the whole idea!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it - and my hydrometer gives me a good indication of OG and FG, and I've not needed anything to be super accurate. Plenty of other shiny things to buy first.

I completely agree! I've been put off as it seems a lot of work for little extra benefit.

 

[Bigcol49]

Hi!
If you buy an ATC refractometer you don't need to worry about the temperature of the sample.
Taking a FG reading with a refractometer is a piece of Boddingtons!
There's a Refractometer calculator online (Brewer's Friend); I don't bother with an accurate correction factor - 1.03 is recommended.

 

[Honk]

The sample needed is just a couple of drops so cools off in no time. Wouldn't be without a refractometer now it's ace, calibration is by turning a screw but I've never had to adjust mine after initial setup.

 

[jceg316]

This is actually good to know as well, as reading the above is quite off-putting! Do you read the Brix then use a calculator to change to gravity, or do you just read gravity?

 

[Honk]

Mine just has brix so then use a calculator to convert

Here's the calculator I use which takes into account starting gravity to calculate final gravity ie you can't just convert final brix to final gravity as the reading is affected by alcohol.
http://www.onebeer.net/refractometer.shtml

 

[LED_ZEP]

Very basic but I posted a sugar calculator with a brix to S.G. calculator on the end here: https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/sugar-abv-calculator-and-back-sweetening-guide.75688/

 

[LED_ZEP]

Very basic but I posted a sugar calculator with a brix to S.G. calculator on the end here: https://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/threads/sugar-abv-calculator-and-back-sweetening-guide.75688/

I've updated this so you don't have to download it (online version). Also it now has a calculator for combined hydrometer and refractometer to work out your final ABV if you forgot to take a start hydrometer reading.