I have been chasing my efficiency issues with Beersmith. I had checked both my hydrometer and refractometer with distilled and tap water and they are within .002 as accurately as I can read them.
I have been using my refractometer before pitching and the hydrometer before bottling. I have been consistently low by .004 - .005 over the last 5 or so batches using the refractometer and the predicted OG in Beersmith. But the beers have tasted good and to my taste have had close to the right alcohol pct.
Tonight I have brewed a Wee Heavy and the predicted pre boil was 1.089 and my refractometer said 1.063 I boiled for 1/2 hour then drew off a sample and continued boiling before starting my 60 minutes with the hops.
The sample reads 1.080 with the hydrometer and 1.066 with the refractometer.
Dang! How do I check the accuracy at pre boil levels? Again they are close in distilled or tap water and way off after the mash.
I have been using my refractometer before pitching and the hydrometer before bottling. I have been consistently low by .004 - .005 over the last 5 or so batches using the refractometer and the predicted OG in Beersmith. But the beers have tasted good and to my taste have had close to the right alcohol pct.
Tonight I have brewed a Wee Heavy and the predicted pre boil was 1.089 and my refractometer said 1.063 I boiled for 1/2 hour then drew off a sample and continued boiling before starting my 60 minutes with the hops.
The sample reads 1.080 with the hydrometer and 1.066 with the refractometer.
Dang! How do I check the accuracy at pre boil levels? Again they are close in distilled or tap water and way off after the mash.