Refractometer reading

[MFigz]

Just curious... What is the proper way to take a sample for my refractometer during the boil?

I noticed that I get a different reading if I pull the sample with an eye dropper vs letting it drip off the stir spoon vs dipping the head of the refractometer into the boiling wort. I don't think the refractometer is the problem because it's consistent based on the method.

Thanks!
Mike

 

[Vale71]

With boiling wort you need to minimize evaporation, i.e. get the sample to room temp as fast as possible and in any case before smearing it on the refractometer. I use a pipette to lift the sample and then place the bulb under a cold water stream to quickly cool it off. It never takes more than 30-40 seconds to cool as the sample is quite small.

 

[IslandLizard]

That^

I use a glass or plastic cup with cold or ice water to dip the bulb side of the sample pipette into.
Now... be warned, wort will spray out when re-inverting it.