Byaka
Member
- Joined
- Aug 14, 2017
- Messages
- 13
- Reaction score
- 7
So I just received my new refractometer. The reason I decided to purchase one was to eliminate the need to waste my precious brew just so I can measure SG - I like the idea of only using a couple of drops.
Today was the day I was transferring my cider into the secondary and it was a perfect opportunity to play with the new toy. First, I calibrated it with distilled water and made sure it reads SG of 1.000 (0% Brix). Then I measured SG with both the hydrometer and the new refractometer. The cider was at room temperature (~70F). The hydrometer read a little lower than 1.000 (that's what I expected to see) but the refractometer showed SG to be around 1.015. A difference of 0.015!!!
Next I decided to try it on my IPA that has been sitting in the secondary for about a week. The hydrometer showed a believable 1.012, whereas the refractometer's SG was around 1.035. A difference of 0.023!!!
Any insight, please... Am I doing something wrong? Is it possible that it is the beverage temperature that affects the readings this much? The refractometer does have the ATC (automatic temperature compensation)... Or is it that the refractometer is not working right?
Today was the day I was transferring my cider into the secondary and it was a perfect opportunity to play with the new toy. First, I calibrated it with distilled water and made sure it reads SG of 1.000 (0% Brix). Then I measured SG with both the hydrometer and the new refractometer. The cider was at room temperature (~70F). The hydrometer read a little lower than 1.000 (that's what I expected to see) but the refractometer showed SG to be around 1.015. A difference of 0.015!!!
Next I decided to try it on my IPA that has been sitting in the secondary for about a week. The hydrometer showed a believable 1.012, whereas the refractometer's SG was around 1.035. A difference of 0.023!!!
Any insight, please... Am I doing something wrong? Is it possible that it is the beverage temperature that affects the readings this much? The refractometer does have the ATC (automatic temperature compensation)... Or is it that the refractometer is not working right?