Inconsistency between Refractometer & Hydrometer

[daveooph131]

I'm getting different readings between the two instruments. Wort sampl at
65F...

Hydrometer: 1.070
Refractometer: 1.066

What gives, which is acurate? I caliberatated the refractometer yesterday.

 

[Lucky_Chicken]

what did you caliberate the refactometer to?

 

[likwidbliss]

I depend on my refractometer over my hydromeer. Hydrometers have a rolled up piece of paper in them that can move. I have also compared my refractometer to other brewers and it is spot on.

 

[daveooph131]

Ok, I figured it out. I calibrated the hyrdrometer with distilled water and it seems to be reading 3-4 points high so that must be the culprite. I'm going refractometer 100 percent from here out.

Those that have refractometers...do you calibrate with distilled water before every brew session, or how often do you check this?

 

[amazinglarry]

Ok, I figured it out. I calibrated the hyrdrometer with distilled water and it seems to be reading 3-4 points high so that must be the culprite. I'm going refractometer 100 percent from here out.

Those that have refractometers...do you calibrate with distilled water before every brew session, or how often do you check this?

I calibrate every time I use it since it only takes a few seconds. I don't use a hydrometer at all anymore, even for fermented beers I use a conversion table.

 

[ajf]

There is no direct correlation between readings from a hydrometer and refractometer, and it is not possible to calibrate a refractometer just using distilled water.
For details on how to calibrate a refractometer, download Beersmith or Promash and follow the instructions.
I do compare my refractometer readings against the hydrometer about once a year, and they have always agreed.
If I had a suspicious refractometer reading, I would check it against the hydrometer, but this has never happened.

-a.

 

[Reelale]

and it is not possible to calibrate a refractometer just using distilled water.

Actually, that is the correct way to calibrate a refractometer. The scale should read 0 with distilled water at temperture, mine is 68F. I think what you are describing in software programs is calibrating the refractometer to jive with a particular hydrometer.

 

[Malticulous]

I only trust my hydrometer. My refractometer can be four points off. It works best with cooled clean wort.

 

[triletter]

I use my refractometer exclusively. I calibrate it before each use with distilled H2O for the ambient temp since it is adjustable (The brew barn has some major swings over the course of the year). Run the numbers in BeerSmith for post fermentation and works like a charm. Less beer waste and more accurate reading than the hydrometer, IMHO.

 

[ajf]

Actually, that is the correct way to calibrate a refractometer. The scale should read 0 with distilled water at temperture, mine is 68F. I think what you are describing in software programs is calibrating the refractometer to jive with a particular hydrometer.

Yes, I was a bit hasty in my previous post. The first step is to calibrate with distilled water, but if you are using a refractometer to calculate relative density, you need to apply a correction factor which will vary according to the wort composition.

-a.

 

[daveooph131]

Ok, now I'm lost. Why would you need to calculate density? Shouldn't you just be able to calibrate with distilled and then add wort sample and see what the OG or FG is...what's all this about pre and post fermentation?

I have one that lists brix and SG. Also, temperature of the sample wort doesn't matter correct?

 

[scott_white85]

just try to use the refractometer first and calibrate it before applying distilled water. use correction facotr in order for you to have the right calculation for relative density.
__________________________
Refractometer is an industrial process control and instrumentation which measures fluid concentrations. It has a lot of advantages such as low initial cost, easy to operate, can also be used on most water-based metalworking fluids etc.