Hydrometor vs refractometer

[brewmaster48]

gravity after primary on my Belgian saison with the Hydrometor at 62deg was 10.10 with the refractometer 10.23 why such a difference. tested each one with distilled water,calibration right on. Any thoughts?

 

[iaefebs]

If you have a refractometer with a SG scale then it will not be accurate once fermentation starts. Go with the hydrometer reading. If you have a refractometer with a Brix scale there are calculators to convert a fermenting wort reading. What scale do you have?

 

[brewmaster48]

Okay, I have a refractometer with both scales. So I will take the brix and can you recommend a a good calculator to convert. Thanks for the quick reply. I have been racking my brains trying to figure out why my beer was not finishing to the OG i was shooting for. This forum is great.

 

[passedpawn]

I have found that the only way to get a trustworthy gravity reading after pitching the yeast is with a hydrometer. I've used calculators and calibrated my refractometer several times, only to watch it be wildly off on the next beer.

The refractometer is very useful during the boil though. If mine broke, I get replaced it just for that reason.

 

[Cromwell]

Beersmith has a conversion tool for a refractometer.

 

[bk0]

My refractometer is accurate after fermentation but only if you convert the value.

Use Beersmith. Or go here: http://www.onebeer.net/refractometer.shtml

 

[Euphist]

After calibrating, I checked my refractometer against my hydrometer on three batches before and after fermenting (with conversion) and it was within a point every time.

At end of fermentation, I am more concerned with change that with actual value. I can take consecutive values losing only drops of beer rather than half a bottle.

 

[passedpawn]

After calibrating, I checked my refractometer against my hydrometer on three batches before and after fermenting (with conversion) and it was within a point every time.

At end of fermentation, I am more concerned with change that with actual value. I can take consecutive values losing only drops of beer rather than half a bottle.

I guess I'll give mine another try