Debating on a refractometer....

[dooman333]

Your opinions and brand names are much appreciated.

 

[bratrules]

I got one off ebay. And as far as I can tell it works great.

 

[dooman333]

Bout 35 bucks?

 

[QuercusMax]

I got one like this from amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003H7ILCW/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

I think most of them are fairly similar. Just make sure you get an ATC ( auto temp correct).

I did one AG with just a hydrometer and was tearing my hair out, then bought a refrax. So much faster with a refrax. I still double check my OG with a hydro in the bucket or kettle, but during brewing it is super quick and easy. I calibrate with tap water at the start of each brew, since it seems to drift up and down by a few brix.

 

[TheHunk]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RSG-100ATC-...613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46077bdc85

Can't beat it for the price and is calibrated correctly 4 beer.

 

[AussieBrewerInColorado]

they are a lot cheaper than they used to be! Very valuable in brewing, I got mine off craigslist locally and came with a beaker for starters a few years back. I'm considering getting one that reads plato and gravity. I check mine once every 5 or so brews to make sure its calibrated.

 

[bratrules]

http://www.ebay.com/itm/RSG-100ATC-Black-rubber-strip-Brix-Beer-Sugar-Wine-Wort-SG-0-32-Refractometer-/300773268613?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item46077bdc85

Can't beat it for the price and is calibrated correctly 4 beer.

This is the exact same one I got. It works great!!!

 

[rustym]

I just got one a couple of weeks ago and used it for the first time. I really like it and I'm glad I have one now. It's so easy on brew day! If you're thinking about getting one check out http://brewhardware.com

This is the one I got. Good quality. Plus you'd be supporting BobbyM who is a fellow HBT'er and homebrewer.

 

[dooman333]

Thanks guys. Consider me sold. Sorta blows that one needs to ship from China. Also, wow that Bobby has some cool stuff at brewhardware.com Big fan of supporting small business. Might have to go with his.

 

[brewkinger]

I just got one a couple of weeks ago and used it for the first time. I really like it and I'm glad I have one now. It's so easy on brew day! If you're thinking about getting one check out http://brewhardware.com

This is the one I got. Good quality. Plus you'd be supporting BobbyM who is a fellow HBT'er and homebrewer.

I agree. I bought mine from Bobby, and when I posted questions about how to use it, guess who answered...?? Bobby from Brew Hardware.

Get the model that has Auto Temp Calibration (ATC) is was under $40.

In addition, I slightly disagree with the comment about checking calibration every 5 brews. Depending on where you brew (outside vs inside) the ambient temperature of the air plays a role in the accuracy of the refractometer.

To calibrate correctly, the distilled water sample and refractometer should both be around 68 degrees F, BUT most important is that they both are the same temperature.

For instance I brewed outside yesterday in northern VT and it was around 48 degrees outside. I brought refractometer and sample outside and let them come to that temperature and then calibrated.
The ATC aspect of the device will "correct" the readings as long as the temperature does not fluctuate much +/- 20 degrees.

 

[TyTanium]

I just bought the one from Amazon. When I opened the box 10 days later, inside was a sports bra. So there's that.

 

[PistolsAtDawn]

I just bought the one from Amazon. When I opened the box 10 days later, inside was a sports bra. So there's that.

 

[TBaGZ]

Another vote for BrewHardware.

 

[mikescooling]

I got one from Amazon for $28, it has no name, comes in a blue box. Anyway, it's dead nuts on the money every time. I use my pocket knife to get few drops of wort, it's just to easy.

 

[ButcherBoy]

I just got one a couple of weeks ago and used it for the first time. I really like it and I'm glad I have one now. It's so easy on brew day! If you're thinking about getting one check out http://brewhardware.com

This is the one I got. Good quality. Plus you'd be supporting BobbyM who is a fellow HBT'er and homebrewer.

+1 on BobbyM's equipment offerings here as well.

My wife got me the brew tools kit for Christmas. The kit comes with a refractometer, thermometer, and a digital scale. VERY happy with all three items! The refractometer has really made brew day much more enjoyable, makes it so easy to take a quick gravity reading. The thermometer is fast, accurate and can be easily calibrated. The scale is for small, under 5 oz, items and is great for hops and other small amount additions. Check it out, I think you'll be happy with them.

 

[alestateyall]

Brewhardware!

I am very happy with my refractometer. When I bought mine I found the prices to be very competitive.

 

[Chardowner]

Here's a few different units to whet your appetites...

www.RSG-100ATC.com - $22.00 0-32% Brix and 1.000-1.120 Wort SG Refractometers - FREE S&H to the USA and CANADA

www.BREWfractometer.com - $64.99 for the Hyper Accurate 0-32% Brix and 1.000-1.140 Wort SG - Wort SG scale corrected

Ready for this?

At www.nisSales.com they have the...
BREWx (BREWfractometer Extreme) - 0-40% Brix and 1.000-1.180 Wort SG Scale - Wort SG Scale is corrected
This one is pricey at $139.99, but truly one of a kind. "Sink the Bismarck", aahhhh!

 

[reverendj1]

Beware of any of the cheap Chinese refracs on eBay that display SG. The brix-SG scale they use is not accurate over like 1.050 or something. So the brix is accurate, but the SG may not be. The seller I bought from mentioned this in the description, but not all of them do. I always still convert from brix.

 

[DogFace_Brewing]

I have this one and it works great once calibrated...no issues at all and has ATC

http://brewhardware.com/refractometer

 

[reverendj1]

Ok, I just found the one I have. $22, free shipping from US. I got mine super quick. http://www.ebay.com/itm/RSG-100ATC-...877?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33733a12f5 I see now that it is the RSG 100ATC which has the SG scale issue. I would buy it again though. It's not hard to convert brix to SG.

 

[bratrules]

Ok, I just found the one I have. $22, free shipping from US. I got mine super quick. http://www.ebay.com/itm/RSG-100ATC-...877?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33733a12f5 I see now that it is the RSG 100ATC which has the SG scale issue. I would buy it again though. It's not hard to convert brix to SG.

I got one off ebay also but the one i have apparently has the S.G scale fixed since 20 brix is sitting right at 1.084 s.g.

 

[ajf]

For a typical beer wort, 20 brix would translate to about 1.080. If you were measuring wine must, then 20 brix would translate to about 1.083

-a.

 

[reverendj1]

I got one off ebay also but the one i have apparently has the S.G scale fixed since 20 brix is sitting right at 1.084 s.g.

Hmmm. I never actually double-checked if it was wrong or not. Maybe I should do that... I just took their warning.

 

[bratrules]

Wow thanks for pointing that out. i guess if i ever do big beers i will just use the brix side!! thanks again for that info.

 

[BamaProud]

Ok, I just found the one I have. $22, free shipping from US. I got mine super quick. http://www.ebay.com/itm/RSG-100ATC-...877?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item33733a12f5 I see now that it is the RSG 100ATC which has the SG scale issue. I would buy it again though. It's not hard to convert brix to SG.

I just bought that one too. thanks for the info.

 

[christpuncher123]

I agree. I bought mine from Bobby, and when I posted questions about how to use it, guess who answered...?? Bobby from Brew Hardware.

Get the model that has Auto Temp Calibration (ATC) is was under $40.

In addition, I slightly disagree with the comment about checking calibration every 5 brews. Depending on where you brew (outside vs inside) the ambient temperature of the air plays a role in the accuracy of the refractometer.

To calibrate correctly, the distilled water sample and refractometer should both be around 68 degrees F, BUT most important is that they both are the same temperature.

For instance I brewed outside yesterday in northern VT and it was around 48 degrees outside. I brought refractometer and sample outside and let them come to that temperature and then calibrated.
The ATC aspect of the device will "correct" the readings as long as the temperature does not fluctuate much +/- 20 degrees.

I calibrated mine with distilled water, then RO water, then tap water, I even spit on the stupid thing and they all read zero! My point being you don't need distilled water to calibrate, unless you have serious issues with your water. I make sure mine is dialed in at zero every time with some water. It reads exactly what my Hydrometer does, but is much more convenient unless taking a F.G. reading. Best $20 I have spent!

 

[dooman333]

I just bought the one from Amazon. When I opened the box 10 days later, inside was a sports bra. So there's that.

Just. Awesome. Haha sorry dude. I hope it was an SG reading bra.

 

[Brewdiction]

For a typical beer wort, 20 brix would translate to about 1.080. If you were measuring wine must, then 20 brix would translate to about 1.083

-a.

I'm not quite sure how any refractometer can determine wort from must. Can you explain why wort brix -> SG translation differs from must?

Also, does anyone own the Brewfractometer mentioned in this thread? I'm all for spending a little more on quality vs buying again after first one breaks. Just wondering if the higher SG, hard case and aluminum body are worth the extra $40.

Thanks

 

[alestateyall]

I'm not quite sure how any refractometer can determine wort from must. Can you explain why wort brix -> SG translation differs from must? Also, does anyone own the Brewfractometer mentioned in this thread? I'm all for spending a little more on quality vs buying again after first one breaks. Just wondering if the higher SG, hard case and aluminum body are worth the extra $40. Thanks

I am not an expert but wort contains maltose. Must contains fructose. Most if not all refractometers are designed to measure the bending of light through fructose. Maltose bends light slightly more or less (not sure which). So, for measuring maltose content you need to make an adjustment to compensate.

 

[ajf]

I am not an expert but wort contains maltose. Must contains fructose. Most if not all refractometers are designed to measure the bending of light through fructose. Maltose bends light slightly more or less (not sure which). So, for measuring maltose content you need to make an adjustment to compensate.

+1

For more information see http://www.brewersfriend.com/refractometer-calculator/ and http://www.brewersfriend.com/how-to-determine-your-refractometers-wort-correction-factor/

-a.