Bad refract reading

Beernik · 03-29-2010, 07:11 AM

I think I just got my first bad refract reading.

My preboil volume was 7.1 gallons. I got a reading of 10P, or 1.040. I feel good about this reading because I was expecting 1.043.

I boiled it down to 5.25 gallons. I was expecting a reading around 13.5P, or 1.054. But what I got was 11P, or 1.044.

Should I just assume I got a bad sample and go with tge 1.054?

ArcaneXor · 03-29-2010, 11:32 AM

It's best to take three separate samples of well-mixed and particle-free wort for refract readings. Protein globs and hop chunks can throw the reading off, as will sampling from the surface of a wort that has sat undisturbed for more than a minute or so. If you get three consistent readings, you are good to go.

I wouldn't worry though - your OG reading is pretty inconsequential unless something MAJOR went wrong. Even if you are ten points off, that's only going to affect your final gravity by 2 points or so.

Beernik · 03-29-2010, 03:22 PM

Thanks, but I'm actually more worried about my BU to GU ratio on my Export.

I was planning on something like 36/57 = 0.63.
I was willing to settle for 36/54 = .67

I'm worried that I ended up with 36/44 = .82. That's probably more bitter than I want.

On a plus note: after 4 hours I was showing airlock activity. So at least the yeast is happy.

**Donner** · 03-30-2010, 02:15 AM

When this happens to me it is worrisome, but if you know what your target preboil gravity and volume is and what your end of boil volume should be then generally i just assume i'm close. I can't imagine that you could boil off the correct amount and end up with a gravity that is far off the mark. I also always try to take a reading after i use my sanitized spoon to whirlpool my cooled wort, this helps mean that i get a well-mixed sample for measure.