Refractometer?

[yeastinfection]

lots for sale on amazon, but all claim to read diffierent scales,
this one says Sg wort so im hoping its right?
does it look ok to you guys?
https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01DBAADC0?psc=1

 

[brumbrew]

Yup.

Used a similar one today. We have two types. One like this and another that's is older and made of metal and cost a lot.

Both read very similar results. Within .2% difference sometimes. But very close.

Go for it. It's easier as you only need a few drops and not a sample for the hydrometer jar ;-)

 

[yeastinfection]

Yup.

Used a similar one today. We have two types. One like this and another that's is older and made of metal and cost a lot.

Both read very similar results. Within .2% difference sometimes. But very close.

Go for it. It's easier as you only need a few drops and not a sample for the hydrometer jar ;-)

I've used them before for anti freeze and screen wash. I just don't like removing so much fluid to test fg etc.
Thanks btw.

 

[brumbrew]

I've used them before for anti freeze and screen wash. I just don't like removing so much fluid to test fg etc.
Thanks btw.

Me and my brew buddy 'acquired' our nice one from a machine shop. They put sugar in the suds, or coolant. They have to monitor the levels.

Just looked at it. Its Bellingham and Stanley Ltd of Tunbridge wells. 0-28% sugar refractometer.

It's still has its litlle leather zip case ;-)

 

[darkbright]

Useful but for me didn't end up replacing my hydrometer. Just ended up taking twice as many readings.

 

[brumbrew]

Useful but for me didn't end up replacing my hydrometer. Just ended up taking twice as many readings.

I did this to for the first few times.

I examined the results of hydrometer vs refractomer then I realised that hydrometer has temp restraints.

A few drops cools very quickly ;-)

 

[Budgie]

I'm tempted by one of these myself. I deserve a treat don't i?:lol:

 

[yeastinfection]

i get the occasional tip at work, and i like to buy something i want with it. rather than putting it in pocket and buying junk with it and having nothing to show for it. after all its money i didnt have in the first place so its nice to be able to do that,

 

[yeastinfection]

Useful but for me didn't end up replacing my hydrometer. Just ended up taking twice as many readings.

why was that?

 

[nigelnorris]

If you don't mind the wait even cheaper direct from China, £11.60. Banggood is ok to deal with.

http://www.banggood.com/search/refract.html

 

[peebee]

why was that?

Getting a couple of drops out for the refractometer compared to getting a measuring cylinder full for hydrometer... yeah, no comparison.

I think "darkbright" was being cautious with "twice as many readings"; taking two readings a day during fermentation (many times as many readings) is quite easy and irresistable.

WARNING! Those "SG" scales only read true for taking original gravity - alcohol in fermenting beer distorts the readings. Stick to "Brix" scales and use an online calculator, or something like "Beersmith" tools, or other means to convert the readings.

 

[GlentoranMark]

If you don't mind the wait even cheaper direct from China, �£11.60. Banggood is ok to deal with.

http://www.banggood.com/search/refract.html

Thanks, I've took the plunge. 6% Quidco as well. I've ordered from Bangood before, only had 1 parcel go missing which was refunded.

I've ordered 100 pcs disposable eye droppers which cost me pennies more than ordering 1. I'm sure they can be re-used. I thought they would be handy for taking samples. If anyone wants one sent, PM me your address and I'll dispatch one when they arrive (in about 2 months!)

 

[Godsdog]

don't want to rain on any ones parade with these cheap refractometers,i have one and the brix doesn't get any where near to what the hydrometer reads and yes I calibrated it with distilled water first and many times.heres just a few readings from my brewing logs,with it against the hydrometer using brewers friend conversion calculator
OG Brix 8...Hydometer1040
FG B3.5....H 1010
OG B11...H1054
FG B5...H 1009
OG B12...H 1060
FG B4.8...H 1010

http://www.brewersfriend.com/brix-converter/

 

[yeastinfection]

don't want to rain on any ones parade with these cheap refractometers,i have one and the brix doesn't get any where near to what the hydrometer reads and yes I calibrated it with distilled water first and many times.heres just a few readings from my brewing logs,with it against the hydrometer using brewers friend conversion calculator
OG Brix 8...Hydometer1040
FG B3.5....H 1010
OG B11...H1054
FG B5...H 1009
OG B12...H 1060
FG B4.8...H 1010

http://www.brewersfriend.com/brix-converter/

I've gone for one because I assumed they were accurate.. Hope mine isn't as bad as yours.
Interesting how much difference they all read.

 

[darkbright]

don't want to rain on any ones parade with these cheap refractometers,i have one and the brix doesn't get any where near to what the hydrometer reads and yes I calibrated it with distilled water first and many times.heres just a few readings from my brewing logs,with it against the hydrometer using brewers friend conversion calculator
OG Brix 8...Hydometer1040
FG B3.5....H 1010
OG B11...H1054
FG B5...H 1009
OG B12...H 1060
FG B4.8...H 1010

http://www.brewersfriend.com/brix-converter/

This is why I don't believe one measure. Overall, a hydrometer is fine for my needes.

 

[Mikey]

For those of you thinking your refractometer is "off" I refer you to my post from his thread
Ps I use a cheap ebay refractometer they work perfectly

http://www.thehomebrewforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=65715&page=2

As far as I'm aware brix and plato are close enough that they are exchangeable.

First of all refractometers are designed to be used with sugar water not wort which has a different refractive index to sugar water
So a brix/wort correction factor needs to be applied to get the correct readings
Also
Refractometers CANNOT be used to measure the brix of a fermenting wort without calculations to get the correct reading

All of this is explained in much more detail here
http://beersmith.com/blog/2010/11/02...-beer-brewing/

And I would highly recommend using the application from that page.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...beersmith2full

Only cost £5 and has all of the calculations youll need to correctly use your refractometer and it saves the adjusted setting so you don't have to type it in every time
Also lots of other cool stuff on the app as well. Best of luck

Ps don't order a Refractometer with sg scale they are incorrect. You only need brix