Digital Refractometer

[beer taster]

I currently have 2 refractometers, a 0-18 Brix and a 0-32 Brix. The scales on these meters are similar to the picture below

I often find it difficult to accurately read the scale so I'm considering one of THESE Does anyone use a digital refractometer? would you recommend them?

Mark

 

[prolix]

that looks nice! but at £70 I'll keep mine as I have 2 already the 0-18 easier to read than my 0-45 though

 

[evanvine]

I think you've got to "want" to have one of those, think I'll stick with my old %sugar. :mrgreen:

 

[Aleman]

I've used a digital Refractometer and they are very nice and simple to use . . . Like a optical refractometer they are affected by wort temp (Even though ATC), so you put a drop on, wait a few seconds and then press the measure button repeatedly until you get three readings the same in a row. . . . . I want one but the cheapest I've seen is 250 quid plus VAT so I will always be wanting . . . even at 70 quid its not something I am going to buy (Like the new pH Meter . . . don't need it won't buy it . . . and then I get it as a pressie :party: ) . . . I'm happy with my 0-20 Brix model . . . The good thing about the Digital one is that it should go up to something like 80% Brix so doing big beers is never a problem.

 

[jamesb]

I've used a digital Refractometer and they are very nice and simple to use . . . Like a optical refractometer they are affected by wort temp (Even though ATC), so you put a drop on, wait a few seconds and then press the measure button repeatedly until you get three readings the same in a row. . . . .

I was under the impression that the ATC compensated for the temperature of the refractometer and NOT the temperature of the sample.

 

[Aleman]

I've used a digital Refractometer and they are very nice and simple to use . . . Like a optical refractometer they are affected by wort temp (Even though ATC), so you put a drop on, wait a few seconds and then press the measure button repeatedly until you get three readings the same in a row. . . . .

I was under the impression that the ATC compensated for the temperature of the refractometer and NOT the temperature of the sample.

Absolutely correct . . . Instrument calibrated to be correct at 20C ATC will compensate if ambient (and instrument) temp is 25C . . . . . not for adding a sample at 95C . . . I was surprised at how many brewers didn't know this, and don't allow the reading to stabilise before recording . . . . Nearly led to us stopping the sparge really early when making the Wibblers Crafty Stoat the first time (Using an electronic one) . . . Reading was 2.5 Brix . . . . but settled to 8 Brix . . . quite a significant difference

 

[beer taster]

Thanks for all your replies.

The good thing about the Digital one is that it should go up to something like 80% Brix so doing big beers is never a problem.

Not sure I can afford to buy a 0-80Brix machine, but then again the interest rate is so low no point saving my money
May consider this ONE, expensive at £150+VAT, I'm sure this is the one I seen them using at the Cropton brewery