Refractometer

[PeeBee]

... Vastly easier than using a hydrometer and equally accurate.

Oh, come on Eric, you know that will only wind me up ... Ghah, too late:

My best tip is use a Pyknometer! "Easier than using a hydrometer and" vastly more "accurate".

[f00b4r]

Even coverage is needed so I confess I’m a drowner outer. I want to be sure I get a good sample with no dilution. The plastic flap squeezes out any excess.

Me too. Frequent washes between readings, dried with a clean soft cloth, and further readings if any doesn't fit with previous ones. Also it is vital when taking a kettle reading during sparging and there is likelihood of layering, that the wort be stirred. Vastly easier than using a hydrometer and equally accurate.

Good point on the stirring of the wort or you can get very misleading readings.

[Eric]

... Vastly easier than using a hydrometer and equally accurate.

Oh, come on Eric, you know that will only wind me up ... Ghah, too late:

My best tip is use a Pyknometer! "Easier than using a hydrometer and" vastly more "accurate".

I'm (maybe "was" would be more truthful) an engineer, not a scientist.

What is an engineer? Someone who can make or do something that works for five bob that any damn fool can make or do for a quid.

When buying my refractometer, Chinese of course, there were lots of caveats being bandied about and I wasn't sure what would be found.There was little need for concern. I will repeat that calibration is affected by the instrument's temperature, put it in a fridge for while if you have doubts.

My main system is 3V, and sparging is the key to high mash efficiency. Charting gravity of runnings and extraction has enabled almost total extraction of sugars from the mash in respectable times.

So yes PeeBee, your pyknometer would be more accurate for the 2nd, 3rd and 4th decimal places of percentage efficiency, but a refractometer serves my purpose.

[PeeBee]

Ah, pooh. I'm also an "engineer". A scientific engineer! And I make ...

... the most elaborate fibs about here.

It's good to see you now spell "pyknometer" with a "K". None of that sissy "sea" stuff. Just proof that everyone caves into my extraordinary intellect eventually! And ... hang on ... (what you want?.... but I dunna want t'go to bed ...). Got to go, bye.

[MashBag]

Even coverage is needed so I confess I’m a drowner outer. I want to be sure I get a good sample with no dilution. The plastic flap squeezes out any excess.

Nicely put.

[Cobnut]

I stir the wort and squirt a moderate quantity onto the prism, closing the plastic lid squeezes out the excess.

I confess I am onto my second refractometer. The first had 2 accidents, one permitted its' continued use, but the second made replacement necessary.

The first incident was me dropping the refractometer on the concrete floor of the garage, partly breaking the plastic cover and the metal hinge, but with care I was still able to get the cover to sit nicely on the prism. The cover was, however, wont to detach itself from the body of the refractometer which ultimately led to the fatal incident (for the refractometer)...the plastic cover fell off...into the grainfather. I honestly can't recall whether I was mashing or boiling at the time, but when the cover was retrieved it was distorted beyond being useful. So I had to dip my hand into my wallet - always a challenge when ones arms are short and pockets long!

The replacement one (from Malt Miller) is a definite improvement on the first, the calibration screw being happy to stay where I put it, whereas the first had a locking nut to hold the calibration screw in place which had a tendency to come loose...and lose calibration!

[f00b4r]

Has anyone got or used one of the refractometers with a build in LED? I’m just curious about how they perform.

[MashBag]

I cannot help but think it's unnecessary. Why / how would you brew in the dark anyway?

[IPA]

Lots of people brew in the dark. Or so it seems

[f00b4r]

Poor lighting in a garage or other brewing area.

[MashBag]

OK, but I have never needed extra light. Strikes me as another problem that didn't need fixing (or perhaps a battery to corrode inside)

[Eric]

Poor lighting in a garage or other brewing area.

A garage is my brewery and an open door during daylight is the perfect light source for reading a refractometer. Usually there is one optimum target in most locations, but a open door in comparative darkness, only the instrument's elevation needs to be altered to get a stark and easily observed reading.

I agree with IPA that some brewers have difficulty finding the light.

[thepatchworkdoll]

Hi I concur with Eric. For what its worth I always brew in my garage and tend to keep the lights off most of the time and I always point my refactometer to the open door when Im taking my readings.
Regards
Patch

[MashBag]

I agree with IPA that some brewers have difficulty finding the light.

Nothing to do with refractometers tho