Refractometer needs frequent calibration

[m1k3]

When I am brewing I calibrate my refractometer and find it out of adjustment frequently. (mine is the common dual scale ATC model)

For those of you that have a refractometer and check the calibration frequently... do you find it off a bit?

Just wondering if mine is prone to be out of adjustment or if it's par for course. I could never go back to hydrometer so I'll put up with it... just wondering if I should replace it.

 

[brick_haus]

It's temperature dependent. Not the temp of the liqiud, but the refractometer components themselves. I calibrate mine in the early morning and later in the day, when its warmer, I have to recalibrate.

 

[acidrain]

It's temperature dependent. Not the temp of the liqiud, but the refractometer components themselves. I calibrate mine in the early morning and later in the day, when its warmer, I have to recalibrate.

Agreed. The temp change of the ambient air during the day affects the readings.

 

[lschiavo]

Temperature controlled refractometer chamber?

 

[singybrue]

You're not getting lab grade test equipment for $25-$50
I calibrate mine before every reading-it takes a minute and a couple of drops of distilled water.
I learned my lesson after I had a brew where my post mash, pre-boil and post boil numbers were way off and all over the place. As a last resort, I checked the refractometer-it was off, even though I had calibrated it at the start of the brew session.

 

[DrWill]

I have to admit this baffles me. I check my refractometer every brew day with distilled water and it's never needed adjustment; it's never been off by more than a small fraction of a degree Plato.

 

[chawn]

I've never had to calibrate my refractometer. But it is always used inside my house which is climate controlled.

 

[m1k3]

Thanks! Yes, it does seem to go off more when the temperature changes. I just continue to check it as I have been doing.

 

[DrWill]

Thanks! Yes, it does seem to go off more when the temperature changes. I just continue to check it as I have been doing.

It never hurts to check it, and it's probably a good practise to get into. I think it's also a good idea to let the small sample of wort cool slightly before putting it on the refractometer plate. I've always found that gives me a better reading.