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histo320 · 04-16-2009, 01:05 AM

I'm ---- this close to getting refractometer.

I've broken 3 hydrometers in my short brewing career. Mostly my fault becuase of my lack of attention but it's a bit frustrating. I was hoping to transfer to secondary today but I will have to wait until tomorrow when I have a chance to get to the brew store.

I guess it will happen sooner than later, might as well get 2

How much does a typical refractometer cost?

HillbillyDeluxe · 04-16-2009, 01:16 AM

MMMMMMmmmmmm! Refractometer...Aggghhhhhh.... I here ya, my ole lady broke mine this weekend.
Question though, Why do you need a hydrometer to rack to secondary? I never take a gravity between primary and secondary. I take an OG at primary(in), and secondary 10-14 days later and start huntinf FG at abour 7 days in secondary(recipe depends)..

histo320 · 04-16-2009, 01:23 AM

Let's say, I'm a bit anal, and want to make sure I get a correct FG reading before I put in the flavoring.

ifishsum · 04-16-2009, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HillbillyDeluxe

MMMMMMmmmmmm! Refractometer...Aggghhhhhh.... I here ya, my ole lady broke mine this weekend.
Question though, Why do you need a hydrometer to rack to secondary? I never take a gravity between primary and secondary. I take an OG at primary(in), and secondary 10-14 days later and start huntinf FG at abour 7 days in secondary(recipe depends)..

It is best to be sure you're at FG before racking to secondary, because once you move the beer off the yeast cake it's probably not going to drop a whole lot further. If you have a slower fermentation it might get stuck if racked too early. IMO the gravity reading between primary and secondary is probably the most important one.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f39/when-go-primary-secondary-if-all-43014/

HillbillyDeluxe · 04-16-2009, 01:53 AM

Thats good info. Thanks guys. I didnt take into account you were flavoring. I usually rack at a predetermined point cause i dry hop. I'll consider fermentation status @ racking from now on though. I been hitting FG's good though. I like this site, after years of brewing i still learn something all the time.

mjn12 · 04-16-2009, 02:03 AM

Refractometers that I have seen at site like morebeer.com and such tend to be around $50 +.

Also, its important to note that you CANT use the reading you get from the refractometer after there is alcohol present. At least not without using a fairly complex equation to correct for the difference in the refractive index of the liquid once theres alcohol in it. That being said I know that a lot of people like to use refractometers with ATC (automatic temperature calibration /correction) to check their gravities during boil, mash, etc. Just some things to be aware of if you weren't already.

Eskimo Spy · 04-16-2009, 03:52 AM

You can calculate after alcohol is present, and it doesn't take a degree in mathematics. You can use BeerSmith, there's a B3 spreadsheet that will do it for you, and other software is available to do it as well.

I still have a hydrometer, but I rarely use it now that I have a refractometer, unless I want to taste a sample. Here's a good video about refractometers, by Bobby_M.

http://www.homebrewtalk.com/f11/refractometer-vs-hydrometer-video-94946/

mjn12 · 04-16-2009, 06:27 PM

By fairly complex I just meant that most people won't be doing it in their head.

Taking a gravity reading is really just another way of saying "I want an excuse pull off some beer and taste it" around my place anyways.

**Snafu** · 04-16-2009, 06:41 PM

Good Grief! Its an epidemic! I broke my hydrometer this past weekend.

flyangler18 · 04-16-2009, 06:48 PM

Refractometers can be had for $35 shipped on ebay. Search user 'comewithstyle'.

That said, I still have a hydrometer when drawing a sample to taste is my primary objective and I take a gravity reading along the way.