The Only Benefit of a Refractometer

[StanJohnson]

I've checked this, both read 1.000 with pure water at 60F. I'm more inclined to trust the hydrometer than the Chinese refractometer. I suppose a more scientific calibration test could be done... both could be off for all I know.

The instructions that came with my refractometer say to calibrate it at 68*F. It also states, "When working temperature of the room or environment (not the sample) changes by more that 5*F, we recommend recalibration to maintain accuracy." Now that it's summer in Florida, I won't see 68 in the house or outside for months. What I do is take my refractometer and distilled water outside with me when I brew. I then recalibrate throughout the brew day, since it may be in the low 80's when I start but will be in the 90's when I finish. I did this last time as well as take hydrometer readings. My readings were within a few points of each other. I did the same thing just before I bottled last time. Using a alcohol correction calculator with the refractometer, both reading were the same, which makes me confidence in my refractometer readings and my recalibration process. YMMV

 

[Toy4Rick]

If you have Beer Smith software, it will adjust for both temp and alcohol

I pull a sample right out of my brew pot, take a SG reading (hydrometer) then take a temp, input both into the software and voila, corrected for temp

For the refractmeter, take a reading and the software will adjust for the alcohol

For now, I am still using the same hydrometer that I got almost 2 years ago, keep eyeing the refractometer though. Now that I admitted to not breaking mine, I am sure to do it real soon

Toy4Rick