Refractometer instead of Hydrometer

[Morkin]

I have purchased and broken 4 hydrometers thus far, not to mention accidentally purchasing a distilling "proof" hydrometer. After breaking my last one 3 days ago when trying to get my OG, I've decided to start looking for another option.

Can I just ditch the hydometer and get a Refractometer and be within 2-5 points of accuracy? I know that the refractometer is off when alchohal is present, but 2-5 points will still get me close to knowing if the beer is done fermenting right?

At this point I've trusted hydometers and have done well with them, but after my 5th one i've determined I've spend well over $60 on them, and a Refractometer is only $59......

 

[krelin]

How do you keep breaking them?

 

[Ziggybrew]

I have purchased and broken 4 hydrometers thus far, not to mention accidentally purchasing a distilling "proof" hydrometer. After breaking my last one 3 days ago when trying to get my OG, I've decided to start looking for another option.

Can I just ditch the hydrometer and get a Refractometer and be within 2-5 points of accuracy? I know that the refractometer is off when alchohal is present, but 2-5 points will still get me close to knowing if the beer is done fermenting right?

At this point I've trusted hydrometers and have done well with them, but after my 5th one i've determined I've spend well over $60 on them, and a Refractometer is only $59......

Sounds like you should go for the rubber-coated version. Also, I don't know for sure, but I thought refractometers were more accurate than eye-balling a hydrometer. but I'm happy with my hydrometer so far. Maybe somebody that uses a refractometer can clear this up for you (and me LOL).

 

[Revvy]

too bad you weren't here in November for the big refractometer sale on here, we got ours for $29.00

If you take final grav readings you'll still need a hydro. But you'll be using it less, so there's less chance of breaking it.

 

[nspaldi0]

I'd be interested in this as well. I went to a brew day for a local brew club a couple of weeks ago and used a refractometer for the first time. It was really quick and easy.

Morkin where are you looking at getting one from? That seems like a good price.

Nick

 

[Homercidal]

I bought a refractometer off ebay for less than $40. I have to calculate OG in my head, because it reads in brix. No big deal. You can buy one that reads in gravity if you want to pay about $60 I think.

Also, you CAN get your refractometer to measure FG fairly accurately if you want to use a pretty complex formula. Or enter it into a spreadsheet.

I would recommend getting a refratometer AND a new hydrometer. Why? Because a hydrometer is so darn cheap. And you can use it to validate your refractometer's FG calcs. (or just use it for FG)

The refractometer really shines when taking OG readings. You do not have to wait for the wort to cool down! It's just so much easier than messing with a hydrometer and tube, and uses less wort.

 

[willynilly]

You can get FG readings that are accurate with a refract., I get them within .001 with it.

 

[Morkin]

Morkin where are you looking at getting one from? That seems like a good price.

Nick

http://www.northernbrewer.com/brewing/brix-specific-gravity-refractometer-w-atc.html is where I found them for $59.

And how do I keep breaking them? One I picked up by the stem and it broke, the other 3 I dropped when the wort was hot taking a reading....The last one I never even got out of the damn tube. I simply knocked it against my brewstand/folding table and it shattered inside the tube.

No broken carboys yet, so thats good.... Thanks for all the help guys, sounds like refractometer is for me!