rhamilton

Recipes 

So I abandoned my hydrometer and used my refractometer full-time when I got it. The first four batches were spot on after 'correction factors' for FG measurements. All was well.

But the next two batches (high gravity, mid gravity) were over +0.020 off after corrections.

So either don't care about FG accuracy or keep your hydro handy.

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On Deck: Cornucopia Oktoberfest
Primary: Centennial Blonde v2, Ed Wort's Kolsch
Secondary: none
Kegged: County Jail Pale Ale, AHS Anniv IPA, AHS Brooklyn Brown, Raspberry Wheat, Blood Orange Hefe, Ranger IPA clone (x2), Newcastle clone, AHS Irish Red, Centennial Blonde
Bottled: Session Series Belgian Saison, Apocalypso, Pecan Porter, DFH 90 Minute Clone, Apfelwein (x2), Wytchmaker Rye IPA Clone, Vienna/Simcoe SMaSH, Munich/Cascade SMaSH

Bricks41

Recipes 

There is a place for a hydro, but I love my refractometer! I'm still verifying my compensated FG refractometer reading with my hydro reading. So far I am gaining a comfort level with the refractometer. The calculator will get within .002 which has been consistently the case (4 batches now). SG has been within .001.

Get one on eBay for $20-30. Very happy with my purchase!

TrainSafe

Recipes 

I just picked up a refractometer, and let me tell you how much easier my brew day just got! It used to be a pain - for first runnings and final runnings I'd pull out a sample and let it cool. I wouldn't know my readings until after the boil was half over and, at that point it was too late to make corrections. Corrections were noted and could be made for future batches. Now I grab a couple drops with a pipette and have an instant reading. I now take readings at every step and can make adjustments as needed on this batch.

iaefebs

Recipes 

If you go with the refractometer make sure it reads in Brix and not SG. I think the bad rap that refracts got in the past was because some manufactures released ones that only had a SG scale. It was useless for anything after start of fermentation.

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Here you go, buddy; "Breakfast of Champions."

Brulosopher

Recipes 

I used to think/say the same thing... until I tried Sean Terril's tool (http://seanterrill.com/2012/01/06/refractometer-calculator/). Batch after batch, it matches my hydrometer every time.

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Easiest Method for Harvesting Clean Yeast

Keezer/Kegerator Build

Recipes Worth Brewing... Over and Over and Over Again:
Tiny Bottom Pale Ale (House Pale Ale)- Sessionable, crisp, earthy/floral
Brulosopher's Dark Brown Ale - Creamy, subtly complex, incredibly quaffable
Brulosopher's Blonde Ale - Crisp, dry, nice malt-hop balance

"The surest way to corrupt a youth is to instruct him to hold in higher esteem those who think alike than those who think differently." - FN

Bricks41

Recipes 

+1 Bru - that is the same site I used for my FG adjustments. The small discrepancy between the refractometer and hydrometer is usually +-.002.