Refractometer vs hydrometer

[squash1978]

One thing I found, is where the variations started to happen between my hydro and my refracto, were when I was using it outside. I would usually calibrate it early in the morning. roughly 50 - 60 degrees ambient temp. Well, by the time the boil was done and I was testing OG, the temp would usually be around 70 or 80 degrees. My refractometer was off due to the fact it was calibrated to 20 or so degrees below what it was actually reading at.

^ this

I store my refractometer in the basement and found that I get much more accurate and consistent readings when I would do my readings in the basement rather than outside where it is warmer.

Another thing that contributed to inaccurate readings when I first got my refractometer is that I wasn't letting my wort samples cool sufficiently. Letting the wort sample cool down to room temp and then letting it sit on the prism for another minute or so did the trick.

Making these two changes puts my refractometer on par with my hydrometer. I was initially frustrated with the refract b/c of the inconsistent/inaccurate readings but in the end it was because I was not using it correctly.