Refractometers decisions

[Udrunk2]

Hi everyone,
My name is Carl and I just joined the site.Way back in the day when all you could get was canned malt extract I brewed a little beer.But as family and job encroached on time I got away from it.Now I'm retired and it's a whole new world and it's got me excited all over again. But it's also daunting.
I had a couple of questions. Mainly considering refractometers. My go to site Northern Brewer has them for $60. They have a range of 0-32 brix with an SG conversion and automatic temperature adjustment.Amazon as the same with a price range of $21-$150 and eBay has them as low as $15. As near as I can tell they are practically the same. What gives? Is there a difference in quality that isn't in their description?

 

[RM-MN]

Personal point of view. The difference in price is probably mostly profit minus the cost of doing business. It costs more to maintain a warehouse and staff like Northern Brewer has and they would like to be profitable so prices are higher. The Ebay seller likely has no warehouse and no staff to support.

 

[Gravity]

Honesty, I have 2 refractometers with all the bells and whistles, yet I always find myself using the hydrometer more.....for what it's worth

 

[BlueHouseBrewhaus]

Hydrometer is cheap and easy and you need one for FG, anyway (refractometers aren't accurate once alcohol is present). Best reason to use a refractometer is if you are brewing small batches (1 or 2 gal) and don't want to waste wort on gravity samples. Otherwise, stick with a hydrometer.

 

[kiwipen]

I use a cheap refractometer, and I'm happy with it. It shows the same SG as my hydrometer.

It gets used every brewday.

 

[pvpeacock]

I got my refractomer free from Northern Brewer during a special when I spent over a certain dollar amount. Keep your eyes open for another similar special which I believe runs from time to time. For pre-fermentation, a refractometer is far easier to use than a hydrometer given the small amount of wort needed and the speed with which the hot wort will cool to the correct temp. to be accurately read.

 

[pvpeacock]

Actually, I think Northern Brewer may have that special going on right now: http://www.northernbrewer.com/promotional-categories/free-refractometer-with-125-purchase

 

[JayInAmes]

Isn't the one I see on Amazon the same refractometer for $21.99?

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LW2ZU6R/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20

 

[pvpeacock]

It may be, but free is cheaper than $21.99.

 

[Hoppy2bmerry]

I have an inexpensive one that was on sale, I don't recall what I paid likely between $20-$25. I do small batches and use it throughout the process. Of course, calculating ABV one needs to adjust the numbers for ETOH. No biggy. I'm not going commercial as long as I can have a ball park number for the ABV I'm satisfied.

Oh, and welcome to the forum!

 

[Morrey]

Welcome, Carl. Another "variable" (don't you hate it when folks add new stuff to throw at you) is a digital refractometer. I bought a Milwaukee digital unit and simply love it. It measures a few drops of wort from pipette in 2 seconds and you are done. It reads in Brix and a handy chart shows you the specific gravity conversion.

I have used a standard hydrometer and it is fine for what it is intended for. Takes a lot of wort at the correct temp to take a reading.

A non-digital refractometer with a scale is fine, and I learned the one with the Brix only scale seems most accurate. The one with both Brix and SG readings may not be quite so accurate so I used the Brix side only and it was fine.

The digital is great and works beautifully. I bought mine on sale for $90 so this was a planned purchase after having used the others for extended time.

BTW, like you, I started doing extracts in the late 80's when supplies were limited. I took a break while serving on submarines, and resumed brewing a few years ago. You simply will not believe the amount of brewing supplies and ingredients available now compared to a few short years ago. Have fun and enjoy HBT where all the good folks hang out to talk brewing.

 

[z-bob]

I have a fairly inexpensive refractometer; don't remember if I got it from Northern Brewer or Amazon. (probably Amazon) I purposely bought one with only a Brix scale because I don't trust them to get the SG scale right.

I've been really happy with it.

Edit: Here it is: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003H7ILCW/?tag=skimlinks_replacement-20