Refractometer??? Good one for beer?? AHS special

Not that I want to tout AHS but is this a good Refractometer to use instead of a Hydrometer??


http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=1014

I have one that looks identical, and that price is what they had them on ebay for (way to go Forrest!).

I am still learning to use it, and often compare to hydrometer samples. There are several conversions that need to be done (beersmith does them).

So yeah, that is the right one. Just spend the time reading the instructions and usage tips from others.

That's my question - bang for buck is it worth it? hydrometer's are like no brainers.

I think it will post learning curve. I can check the gravity of my wort during the sparge and check that I am on track... no cooling samples.

I say yes, worth the money for that.

I still use hydrometer when I am racking, as I taste samples anyhow.

Grinder12000 said:

That's my question - bang for buck is it worth it? hydrometer's are like no brainers.

Click to expand...

I've been using the refractometer on my latest batch. They're great for taking quick samples, but, once fermentation is under way, you do have to run a conversion on the reading to correct it for the alcohol. I still plan on using my hydrometer to take my pre-bottling sample, because I always like to taste that one.

I use my refractometr on brewday, and my hydro prior to kegging. I can't stress how much easier it is on brew day to just grab a few drops throughout the boil to check how it is going. Much easier than grabbing a full sample, and chilling it down.

I prefer my hydro when kegging since I want to taste the beer anyway.

I'd say it is worth it. You might find them a few bucks cheaper on ebay, but AHS is a great vendor, and at that price I’d buy from them. Refractometers are great, especially for aquariums.

Here is a link to a calculator someone posted on another thread:
http://onebeer.net/refractometer.shtml

It is easy to use, but I can't vouch for its accuracy.

If you're an all-grain brewer a refractometer is a handy tool on brew day.

It's just another gadget; but one I like. I enjoy gettng an instant read on the mash runnings, sparge runnings, pre-boil, during-boil, post-boil gravity readings. All that with about 15 drops of wort.....

I got my refractometer from Austin Homebrew just a few weeks back and already have used it on three batches and I love how much easier it has been. I made sure to do all my reading up on them and knew how to use it and when I needed a conversion before I started using it. I will say though that I am a bit more than aggravated that less than three weeks ago I paid a whole lot more for it than it is on special for. Buy it while it's cheap. You will not regret it.

Smackythefrog: I'll hook you up. Look at your P/M.

Forrest

Austinhomebrew said:

Smackythefrog: I'll hook you up. Look at your P/M.

Forrest

Click to expand...

and once again AHS rules the day......

now Forrest, can you send me an extra freezer for those hops you hooked me up with?

That's a great price, and you'll get support from AHS if you need it. I'd pull the trigger for that price if I didn't already have one.

did I get the first one?

how does this one compare to the "ebay" one? I ordered the ebay one a couple days ago (whould have waited if i knew they were putting it on sale) If this one is a higher quality, i may buy one from austin too

Pulled the trigger this morning.

Also, couldn't help myself so I also ordered "Brew Like a Monk" (which is probably exactly what they hoped I would do).

I'm getting one today, and probably picking up a few little items as well. I've been wanting one for a long time.

I have been chilling my samples to take hydrometer readings, and sometimes it takes too long to chill from 170 to 80 degrees in the middle of the sparge or prior to the boil.

Just a tip for people who are buying a refractometer for the first time, you can multiply your brix by 4 you can get an estimated SG without using a calculator. I.E. 9 brix will give you 1.036, 8 brix will give you 1.032 etc.

I have one of those and love it (I actually check gravity again) that is a killer price too.

Since more people are looking at this thread than the one I posted, just a reminder that this sale ends today at midnight. There is also a chance that we will run out and I will have to shut it down as well.

No pressure or anything.

Forrest

Austinhomebrew said:

Since more people are looking at this thread than the one I posted, just a reminder that this sale ends today at midnight. There is also a chance that we will run out and I will have to shut it down as well.

No pressure or anything.

Forrest

Click to expand...

Alright, alright! Lemme finish my coffee, though, before pulling out my credit card! It's not even 8 AM yet.

Hopefully, you have saaz hops so I might as well load up while my credit card is all warmed up.

Thanks, Forrest!

what time is it up in Canada, Yooper?

Did we do the daylight savings change and I missed it?

So confused....

What a great deal from AHBS. I got mine off of ebay a few months ago. By far one of my favorite brewery tools. I don't even know where my refractometer is anymore.

FOr the noobs:

AHS
AHBS
AHB

= Austin Homebrew Supply

www.austinhomebrew.com

YooperBrew said:

I'm getting one today, and probably picking up a few little items as well. I've been wanting one for a long time.

I have been chilling my samples to take hydrometer readings, and sometimes it takes too long to chill from 170 to 80 degrees in the middle of the sparge or prior to the boil.

Click to expand...

This is why I got one too. I was actually searching for the Ebay guy to buy one this morning after randomly asking SWMBO if she cared and got a Go ahead. This is rare to get the go ahead of brewery purchases from our joint account. Then came across Forrests great deal. This day is going well, I should take the rest of the day off work before it gets ruined

Thanks again Forrest.

I do what I can.

Forrest

Grinder12000 said:

Not that I want to tout AHS but is this a good Refractometer to use instead of a Hydrometer??


http://www.austinhomebrew.com/product_info.php?products_id=1014

Click to expand...

That is the one I have. Works great.

Any issues I have had with the reading is because of mistakes on my part (e.g. too much solid matter or bubbles, not waiting long enough to allow the wort to reach temp, or not using a sample of properly mixed wort).

Austinhomebrew said:

Smackythefrog: I'll hook you up. Look at your P/M.

Forrest

Click to expand...

Just another reason why I continue to use this company:rockin:

If I didnt have one already I would buy it great price from a great vendor

Thanks for your orders. I didn't expect to sell through 100 refractometers before we even open.

We are excepting rainchecks today and today only (October 27, 2009).

Just email [email protected] and put in your request. We will email you when they are back in stock.

Forrest

How do we know if we got one of the in-stock ones? Would it have showed up as out of stock when we ordered?

Yes, if you were able to order one you are getting one.

Forrest

Austinhomebrew said:

Thanks for your orders. I didn't expect to sell through 100 refractometers before we even open.

We are excepting rainchecks today and today only (October 27, 2009).

Just email [email protected] and put in your request. We will email you when they are back in stock.

Forrest

Click to expand...

wow, i know I got mine just after midnight

Austinhomebrew said:

Yes, if you were able to order one you are getting one.

Forrest

Click to expand...

Score
I wonder how many of those 100+ were from HBT

+1 I got one.

I just emailed for a raincheck. I've been meaning to get one, now seems like a good time.

+1 on the raincheck! Austin Homebrew Supply rocks!

Austinhomebrew said:

Yes, if you were able to order one you are getting one.

Forrest

Click to expand...

Yes! I got one. I've wanted one for a long time, and finally that price got me to pull the trigger. Thanks!

I'm poed that I missed the sale, but I emailed for a raincheck.

YooperBrew said:

Yes! I got one. I've wanted one for a long time, and finally that price got me to pull the trigger. Thanks!

Click to expand...

Same here, now the brew day will be that much easier! That is, once I've gotten tired of playing with the new gadget and stop taking gravity readings every 5 minutes.

chefmike said:

what time is it up in Canada, Yooper?

Did we do the daylight savings change and I missed it?

So confused....

Click to expand...

This is off-topic, but I'm in Central Time. Just like AHS.