I've broken my brewing virginity!

[blockley]

First ever brew today, doing a Sierra Nevada Pale Ale, recipe said Pre-Boil Gravity 1050, refractometer showed 1049 so I was happy. It all seemed to be going so well.....

When I went to read the OG, which recipe states as 1056, the refractometer, despite numerous attempts, wasn't having it, it appeared to be off the scale (right at the top). I used the hydrometer instead and this appears to be reading about 1065.

Any idea why the refractometer wouldn't work?
Is the OG very/too high?
Should I be worried? ( I am anyway !! )

Cheers

 

[Session]

Hello!
Did you calibrate your refractometer? What units does it use - Brix, Plato, SG? What’s the scale? 0-32%
Let us know what kind of refractometer you’re using and I’m sure someone will know what’s going on.
Brew looks good!

 

[An Ankoù]

No. Don't be worried. Later posts will tell you about calibrating refractometers which includes such issues as variations in Earth -spin rate and fluctuations in time-space-reality perception. Trust your hydrometer.

 

[Drunkula]

he refractometer, despite numerous attempts, wasn't having it, it appeared to be off the scale

Did you pour on a hot sample and then leave the window open for it to cool? If yes then the water evaporates and the sample gets stronger and stronger. Gash Slugg takes a sample with a pipette and drops the bulb in cold or ice water to cool it quicky then drops some onto the screen. Wipe the screen and window between uses. I just lick both and rub it on my shirt.

 

[samale]

I just lick both and rub it on my shirt

My version of clean

 

[blockley]

Hello!
Did you calibrate your refractometer? What units does it use - Brix, Plato, SG? What’s the scale? 0-32%
Let us know what kind of refractometer you’re using and I’m sure someone will know what’s going on.
Brew looks good!

It's only a £20 Amazon special, it shows the OG

 

[blockley]

Did you pour on a hot sample and then leave the window open for it to cool? If yes then the water evaporates and the sample gets stronger and stronger. Gash Slugg takes a sample with a pipette and drops the bulb in cold or ice water to cool it quicky then drops some onto the screen. Wipe the screen and window between uses. I just lick both and rub it on my shirt.

Ah, could be it .It was a hot sample (or at least warm), about 25 degrees.

 

[honeymonster]

The OG could be showing high if your boil off rate was more than allowed for in the recipe. Same sugar in less volume would mean higher gravity.

How high does the scale on your refractometer? Is it a limited range, that tops out at less than 1.065?

 

[Deathstar]

Have a read here, there is a good write up about the deviations in refractometer readings v hydrometer readings.
You essentially need to calculate your wort correction factor for your own device.

https://byo.com/article/refractometers