Recommend me a digital refractometer

[Brew_DD2]

So I'm wanting another gadget. I'm not going to spend silly money on Antor Paar stuff (as cool as it looks), but can anyone recommend a digital refractometer? Seen a few Milwaukee ones go for decent prices second hand, but wouldn't be adverse to one of the many Chinese clones that are out there. I wish Inkbird would branch out in this direction, although it probably is a bit niche.

Any recommendations?

 

[Brew_DD2]

Going to bump this. I'm guessing that there aren't too many on here that own one. Would be keen to here from anyone who has.

 

[MashBag]

No.

 

[DocAnna]

Short version - is along the lines of Mashbag ... nope. Trust me, I've looked and I like shiny things .

The Anton Paar easyDens is neither good value nor particularly accurate, it's sort of none of what anyone needs. The basic entry level density meter for accurate measurement also made by Anton Paar- which is similar to the ones used in the labs on my course, start at £17730 https://www.anton-paar.com/uk-en/products/details/portable-density-meter-dmatm-35-basic/

Now I'd love this sort of kit but I'm not even close to bonkers enough to look at it. I have one of these which is more accurate than your usual hydrometer, and you can always dilute your beer to half strength if it's above this range and double the result.
https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/large-hydrometer-1000-1060/

 

[Brew_DD2]

Short version - is along the lines of Mashbag ... nope. Trust me, I've looked and I like shiny things .

The Anton Paar easyDens is neither good value nor particularly accurate, it's sort of none of what anyone needs. The basic entry level density meter for accurate measurement also made by Anton Paar- which is similar to the ones used in the labs on my course, start at £17730 https://www.anton-paar.com/uk-en/products/details/portable-density-meter-dmatm-35-basic/

Now I'd love this sort of kit but I'm not even close to bonkers enough to look at it. I have one of these which is more accurate than your usual hydrometer, and you can always dilute your beer to half strength if it's above this range and double the result.
https://www.themaltmiller.co.uk/product/large-hydrometer-1000-1060/

I've looked at that hydrometer funnily enough. I don't brew that many high gravity beers anyway, but the dilution idea is a great one.

I have a refractometer that I use on brew days, and it works very well for me. Just fancied something that gave a digital reading. I might take a pint on one the Chinese cheapies just to have a wee play. I'd not even stretch to the cheapest of Anton Paar stuff tbh. Would be too hard to justify given I already have perfectly accurate solutions.

 

[Larse]

What about the WiFi/Bluetooth enabled hydrometer/thermometers you just bung in your FV?

 

[Sadfield]

They also do a high gravity large hydrometer. I had one until it rolled.

I'm pretty sure I've seen pro brewers using these.

https://www.hannainstruments.co.uk/food-and-drink/2350-hi-96841-digital-refractometer-for-brewing

I guess it depends on what you require, a definitive highly accurate reading or a quick reading that's close enough to monitor changes in gravity.

 

[Brew_DD2]

What about the WiFi/Bluetooth enabled hydrometer/thermometers you just bung in your FV?

It's more for brew day for quick readings. I use hydrometer for post-fermentation.