Refractometer

wegz15 · 10-03-2011, 02:26 AM

I'm looking into getting a refractometer. I was thinking about this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/0-32-Brix-Wort-SG-Beer-Refractometer-Sugar-SOFTCASE-/370539819141?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5645e4 f085

Or possibly this one

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-0-32-ATC-Brix-Refractometer-Wine-Beer-CNC-Sugar-/390202796300?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item5ad9e6 290c

Second one does brix only.

what do you guys think?

**sudsmcgee** · 10-03-2011, 03:06 AM

Either one would work, but I like having both measurements available so I'd get the first one short of a Brewfractometer (actually, I think that's the model I have). Be aware that the SG is not 100% correct on this model.

wegz15 · 10-03-2011, 03:15 AM

I am aware. The brewfractometer is made by the same people, I just don't want to spend twice as much. would it be just as accurate if I converted from brix to sg with an online calculator?

**sudsmcgee** · 10-03-2011, 03:18 AM

To the best of my knowledge it should be, but I'll let someone else chime in who knows for sure.

I find it funny that they market their "inferior" product as such to sell more Brewfractometers. Why not just fix the scale on the cheaper model if you can?

**iaefebs** · 10-03-2011, 03:51 AM

Read the descriptions for each. Now I'm begging to understand all the negative posts about using a refractometer. I was stunned on the first link you posted from ebay.

"We actually corrected the flawed scale of the other units after seeing that the SG of the old refractometers and a hydrometer weren't the same. The old scale was a linear formula that leads to incorrect readings. The higher the Brix content, the more inaccurate it became!"

I use an old non ATC model. I calibrate it myself for ambient room temp and any time I compare it to a hydrometer sample it is dead on. Pre boil, post boil (OG) readings need no adjustment from reading. You will need to convert FG readings with either an online calculator or use BeerSmith 2 or whatever others are available and trustworthy.

Exbeerienced · 10-03-2011, 01:20 PM

Also, I believe the SG scale in the refractometer is useless once fermentation starts. I use Beersmith to do the Brix conversion at that point.

**iaefebs** · 10-03-2011, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Exbeerienced

Also, I believe the SG scale in the refractometer is useless once fermentation starts. I use Beersmith to do the Brix conversion at that point.

How can the scale be useless if it can be converted accurately?

**passedpawn** · 10-03-2011, 01:37 PM

I've found that the refractometer is useless after fermentation starts. Even with conversions, etc, I've NEVER had them work properly from one beer to the next. I've attempted to cal them (in software), but the next beer is always off significantly.

I use a refractometer on every brewday for measuring gravity during the boil. They work great for that. Brix x 4, + 0.001 for small beer, 2 for medium beer, 3 for BIG beer. Works perfectly. They are quite useful for this purpose, but only for this.

If you brewed the exact same beer every time, you could probably cal your conversion algorithm and make it work (for post-fermentation), but I don't know any homebrewers who do that.

Exbeerienced · 10-03-2011, 01:39 PM

In unfermented wort, you can read the SG scale directly off the refractometer. After fermentation, you have to take the Brix reading and do a conversion, due to the alcohol present. So that makes the SG scale in the refractometer not as useful as one might think. This is my understanding.

Exbeerienced · 10-03-2011, 01:46 PM

Also, I think the biggest error you can make when checking hot wort is to not pay attention to the evaporation that can occur during those brief seconds of transfer from boil kettle to refractometer. Say, for example, you simply dip your spoon into the hot wort then bring it over to the sight glass for transfer. The evaporation that can occur during those moments will mistakenly show your wort to be more highly concentrated in sugar than it actually is. That's why I grab a shotglassful. It cools quickly, and then I sample it.