JusUsing refractometer
- Thread starter eppo
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Alcohol skews the reading on the refractometer. They're great for measuring the OG (in Brix) for non-fermented wort, but once alcohol is in there, the readings get miscalculated. You can use a "refractometer correction table" like they have in Beersmith, but even that isn't 100% accurate. I use a refractometer for gravity readings for wort, but after fermentation has begin (with beer or wine), I use a hydrometer.
Here is a article and a program that works better then the old standard for calculating FG using a refractometer. I have used this with over 10 different beers and compared to my hydrometer and it has been within a point everytime.
http://seanterrill.com/2010/06/11/refractometer-estimates-of-final-gravity/
http://seanterrill.com/2010/06/11/refractometer-estimates-of-final-gravity/
a10t2
Well-Known Member
Would you be willing to send me your data? PM, email, contact form on the site, whatever works for you. Thanks!
Sean
I use a hydrometer to check SG and FG.(to calculate ABV mostly) I use the refractometer to check SG and where the fermentation is. If the Brix is the same for 3 days I figure it is done. I ferment for at least 3 weeks and don't even touch the beer for the first 2.
Wellshooter
Well-Known Member
My experience says a refractometer is very error prone. On mine the readings are not repeatable often enough to trust it, whether unfermented or fermented wort. So I do the OG with a hydrometer and the FG with a hydrometer. I use the refractometer occasionaly in between. If you would have asked I would have recommended against buying it. JMO. 
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