Daver77

Recipes 

Just a heads up

http://www.amazon.com/Beer-Wort-Refractometer-Scale-0~32/dp/B0080CX868/ref=pd_ybh_2

Got mint today...

acidrain

Recipes 

Awesome. Thanks!

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trailbrewery

Recipes 

Good price

basilchef

Recipes 

Just bought one on ebay. Shipped from cali to mass in three days. Paid $24.49 with free shipping. The exact same one. I love it. How has yours changed your brewday?

LabRatBrewer

Recipes 

That is a good deal. Bought the same one for about $15.00 more. I am very happy with it.

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Sir Humpsalot

Recipes 

I take about 3x more readings with about 1/10th the effort.

Mid boil? No big deal since I don't need to let it cool. First and second (and maybe third) runnings? Piece of cake, just put a drop on and close to top! After I take a proper hydrometer reading and pour the sample back, it's really nothing to take that one last drop from the hydrometer tube and put it on the refractometer for a double-check.

Once you realize how much of a difference temperature makes to a hydrometer, and you get serious about good readings, the refractometer is a massive bargain in terms of simplifying your brew day.

And let's say you forgot to take a hydrometer reading before adding the wort to the carboy... well ok then. Let's have a race. You get a hydrometer reading, I'll get a brix reading. Let's see who wins. The sanitized handle of a SS spoon will give me the single drop I need. And let's add up how much wort we both lost too because you know you aren't gonna risk putting that nasty sample back in with your beer.

Now, to be honest, nobody needs a refractometer. It doesn't make your beer any better. However, once you've used one, it's hard to deny the convenience.

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jestmaty

Recipes 

Ya'll realize that it appears to be a Brix scale reading exclusively? I guess it's easy enough to convert to SG though.

Personally, I like to take 1st runnings, 2nd runnings, pre-boil gravity and post boil gravity with my refractometer.

If I'm close to the desired post boil gravity as well as the proper quantity of wort, I'll sometimes cut the boil short by 5 or 10 minutes as long as there are no late hop additions.

Also, I use an 80 quart brew pot to do my brews in... mainly 5 gallon batches. When I'm finished my boil and the pot is cooled down, I don't have enough depth to float my hydrometer. I'll sometimes draw a sample for my hydrometer, which or course I pour down the drain after the reading. In other words, since I trust my refractometer, I just use that number for my notes as the SG and skip the hydro reading... ymmv

Bobby_M

Vendor Ads 

Recipes 

If Brix and OG scale is important to you, I offer one at a slightly increased price.

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Sightglass, Refractometer, Ball Valve, Weldless bulkhead, Thermometer, Decals, Stainless Steel Fittings, Compression Fittings, Camlock Quick Disconnects, Scale, RIMS tube, Plate Chiller, Chugger Pump, Super Clear Silicone Tubing, and more!

FATC1TY

Recipes 

I have the same one that I paid roughly the same price for, and it has ATC and SG scale on it.

Makes it pretty easy..

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alestateyall

Recipes 

I got mine from Bobby_M. Both the brix and SG scales actually work. One common problem people have is the SG scale being incorrect.

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