Refractometer

[stevezx7r]

Just wondering what everyones thoughts are on these? What's a decent one?

Looking back at my first AG (still need to dig out my cam - pc cable for the photies) I noticed I had a problem in cooling the wort when sparging to check the gravity. A refractometer doesn't have this problem as it can take a reading with hot liquid, right?

Just thinking of ways to iron aout any creases in my brew making.

[Wez]

My Mrs got me one at Christmas from ebay

You do need to cool the wort but it's sooooo much easier you can just run the pipette under the tap with the wort sample in it and you only need a drop on the plate.

I find it really useful and not too much money

[prolix]

you don't need one but they are useful for sparging sg I use a 0-18 for sparging.

there is a conversion table for temperature correction for hydrometers stickied somewhere

[Dan]

its great at reading wort samples during sparging and every point up until fermentation. as soon as you add yeast to the wort the readings become much less clear.

[yojimbo]

They are the business. I have a 0 to 32 brix which works really well its a bit tricky reading the small devisions so looking to get another one with a smaller range a 0 to 18 brix . The one I have has automatic temperature correction so you just put a few drops of wort on the plate count to 30 seconds and take a reading .

I would recomend getting one makes life very easy when sparging.

[stevezx7r]

Hmm, might have a look into them.

Cheers.

[delboy]

I was a bit of a spectic about refracts for a evenn after owning one but once i found the relevant online calculter for readings during fermentation its been a joy to use. Its my hydro that now sits in the brew cupboard and unused and unloved

I would agree with the advice of getting one with a smaller range than the 0-32 which really does test your eyesight at times.

[charlie]

i found the relevant online calculter for readings during fermentation

Link would be nice.
I got one of the 0-32 ones from Homg Kong and they're just fine.

I've always hated Hygrometers, too faffy.

[delboy]

i found the relevant online calculter for readings during fermentation

Link would be nice.
I got one of the 0-32 ones from Homg Kong and they're just fine.

I've always hated Hygrometers, too faffy.

Here you go

They have a whole range of different programs and interesting gizmos link

[skinfull]

I see there is quite alot of these for sale on ebay, Can anyone tell me which one is suitable for brewing.Skinfull

[mysterio]

I wouldn't brew without one but the one I got from ebay was pretty flimsy, the plastic window part broke off after a couple of uses. Also make sure the wort is well stirred before taking a reading and don't trust the first reading you take.

[Vossy1]

They're a great piece of kit
keep in mind the following.

A single drop on a large glass plate is going to be at the same temp as the plate no matter what you do.....within reason.
It's always worth knowing room temp just for this reason and adjusting the reading via calculators as needed
As long as you know your room temp, the wort temp is pretty useless regards influencing the reading.

If in doubt, leave the sample for a few minutes and then read it.

[Martin the fish]

I think i will be getting another refractometer. The one i used to have is somewhere amongst my possesions but i haven't come across it since we moved here.
Mind you the removal men did steal a lot of my stuff. So much so that our insurance company got the police involved. It did help that one of my friends who packed a lot of our expensive stuff up was a policeman anyway. The removal company tried blaming him, before they found out he was a copper. I'd have loved to have seen their faces when they found out.