Refractometer

OK i am about to get one of these, but the prices are very where over the board, anywhere from 19 to 65. I am looking for the really cool one that I can check at any stage of the beer making process. Some say they only have a range of 0-30c and others don't have a rating at all. Which model number is the best to go with, for what I want it to do? thanks

I would look for one that is auto temperature compensating, and measures in brix and SG scales. Keep in mind that none of them can measure gravity after fermentation begins. The alcohol content skews the results, you can use calculators online or in software like Beersmith to compensate and get a reasonably accurate corrected value.

For sure look for ATC, which is handy. I have one that only reads in Brix, and it works well. I have never tried one with SG, but I've seen them.

I think you'd be well served to stay away from any that do not purport to be for brewing.

Kaz said:

I would look for one that is auto temperature compensating, and measures in brix and SG scales. Keep in mind that none of them can measure gravity after fermentation begins. The alcohol content skews the results, you can use calculators online or in software like Beersmith to compensate and get a reasonably accurate corrected value.

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I am going to disagree on the specific gravity scale. I have one and the scale for sg is wrong, my understanding is the manufacturer who built most of the brewing retracts around made an error in the conversion calculations. Converting from brix / plato is not that hard.

Also, normally the temperature correcting is based upon the temp of the refractometer, not the temp of the wort that you are measuring. The wort volume you'll use is so small, it will quickly cool to room temp. What the temp correction does is correct for the changes that occur if the refractometer is at a different temp than whatever the standard is (probably 60). For instance, if you're in a cool garage (50s) or in a warm kitchen over the stove (70s), you don't need to worry about correcting values.

I hadn't heard about the problem with SG scales. I got one from Austin Homebrew that had both the brix and SG scales, and the numbers I get are generally in line with what I'm expecting, but I'll have to take a second look at it next time I get it out. Like Kaz mentioned, they're not useful for after fermentation unless you want to use one of the calculators, and its incredibly difficult to get a decent taste of your beer by licking off the refractometer . But for any AG step before fermentation begins they're handy to get a feel for how the sparge and boil are progressing.

erikpete18 said:

But for any AG step before fermentation begins they're handy to get a feel for how the sparge and boil are progressing.

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That is what i am after, the other day my brew came up about one whole ABV off, so will any of the refractometer read the hot wort and come up with the OG? or is there a different type that would be best for that propuse?

Nope, refractometer is exactly what you're after. I found mine most useful when I first started out doing partial mashes with about a 50/50 grain to extract ratio. I could take a measure of my first runnings to see how the mash did and then take a measure of the sparge to see what else I got out. I'd also measure the gravity of the boil just as it got going to figure out how much extract I was going to have to add, and then measure the boil again at the end to make sure I'd boiled enough off. Finally, I'd use it after topping up with any water and mixing well in the fermenter before adding yeast to make sure I was close to target.

All I do with hot liquids is let them sit in the plastic dropper that comes with the refractometer for a few minutes while I move onto the next step, then add a few drops to the refractometer. By that point the liquid is cooled down to room temp and is ready to be read. Measuring during the whole batch really helped me figure out how changes I was making were affecting the end product (ie single large sparge vs two smaller sparges).

thanks..I am getting one, is there a better one to get over the others?

I got mine from bobby_m who is on here. Totally happy with it and reasonable.

BTW, I just saw morebeer has one for their deal of the day today. Normally 59, on sale today for 44.95.

Brewing Refractometer With Brix Scale | MoreBeer

Wow looks like that deal of the day is already done. Dang missed that boat, thanks for the heads up though.

Refractometer | eBay

what about the ones that sell for 20? are these all the same?

I have this one:
NEW! 0-32% ATC Brix Refractometer Wine Beer CNC Sugar | eBay

I'm pretty happy with it so far.

b-boy said:

I have this one:
NEW! 0-32% ATC Brix Refractometer Wine Beer CNC Sugar | eBay

I'm pretty happy with it so far.

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I think that's the same one I have too and I'm also happy with it.

The one that was on morebeer's daily deal looks the same to me judging by the pic, but I've never handled one in person so it's hard to say. Looks like theirs also includes a specific gravity scale, but per LordUlrich, it sounds like the scale may be questionable.

I am pretty sure they are all made by the same company in China. The scales all look the same and so does the body of the refractometer.

I got one from Hong Kong (on ebay) in about 2 weeks and love it. Best $24 spent in a long time.

richbrew99 said:

I got mine from bobby_m who is on here. Totally happy with it and reasonable.

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+1, got mine from Bobby as well, and same experience. Very happy with it and reasonable price.

My website just exceeded the bandwidth limit for the month and I can't get in touch with the host techs. However, I can still invoice folks looking for something via paypal. I'll call this my website blackout sale. Brix/OG refractometers for $35 shipped. PM me your email address and I'll invoice you.

Kaz said:

..Keep in mind that none of them can measure gravity after fermentation begins. The alcohol content skews the results, you can use calculators online or in software like Beersmith to compensate and get a reasonably accurate corrected value.

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Bobby_M said:

I'll call this my website blackout sale. Brix/OG refractometers for $35 shipped. PM me your email address and I'll invoice you.

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Wait, so these only work before fermentation begins? Do you still use a hydrometer to check if it's done?

Yes, you want a refractometer. Yes, Brix is fine. I got mine 2.5 years ago for somewhere between $25 - $30 delivered from something like the "Happy Fun Luck Trading Co. of Hong Kong" on eBay, so you know where it's made. It works fine. If you're like me and not worried about being all that accurate, just multiply Brix x 4 and you'll be "in the ballpark" for SG. Or, if you're reading this, there are several online calculators / tables, just Google "Brix to Specific Gravity."

thanks everyone.. bobby you have a pm