Hydro vs refractometer

[Kershner_Ale]

My hydrometer vs refractometer readings on the same beer are way off. Up to 10 units (eg 1.020 vs 1.010) sometimes. I've calibrated the refractometer. Both read 1.000 with water. Any thoughts? Not sure which to trust.


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[GuldTuborg]

Thoughts? For FG, run your refractometer readings through a calculator. They measure different things and need conversions once wort changes to beer.

 

[Kershner_Ale]

Thanks, will do that. Forgot to mention both readings on 65 F beer if that mattered.


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[GuldTuborg]

Thanks, will do that. Forgot to mention both readings on 65 F beer if that mattered.


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Temp has to be accounted for, too, so it's good you're already doing that. Your readings should be the same once you convert (or similar; the higher the alcohol content, the more the readings will differ).

 

[tally350z]

I only use my refractometer during brew day. Runnings, preboil, post boil. Than I only use my hydrometer for FG readings.

Make sure you are using Distilled water for your calibrations also.

 

[barryhannah]

I'll see if I can state this a bit more simply: use a refractometer before any alcohol has been created; use a hydrometer after any alcohol has been created.

Any refractometer reading taken with a sample that has alcohol in it will need to be run through an additional calculation.

 

[paulgobble]

Are FG readings taken with a refractometer, and then adjusted with a calculator, reliable? I hate using my hydrometer, and would love to retire it, but I have doubts about using a refractometer for FG readings.

 

[duboman]

Personally I'm not a fan of refractometer usage for FG, even with the various calculators I find them unreliable. YMMV


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[Yooper]

Personally I'm not a fan of refractometer usage for FG, even with the various calculators I find them unreliable. YMMV


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Me too. I've never found one that was accurate for me.

I know that some calculators work for some people, but not for FG in any of my attempts so I don't use the refractometer for readings after brewday.

 

[hunter_le five]

Personally I'm not a fan of refractometer usage for FG, even with the various calculators I find them unreliable. YMMV

Same here. Some people swear by this or that calculator, but it never seems to work for me.

So another +1 for refractometer on brew day, hydrometer after pitching yeast. As always ymmv.


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