Brix Refractometer

[eskimobob]

Has anyone had a go with one of these? The americans seem to use them frequently and I guess they make SG measurements quick and easy....more gear more gear....no no, I mean brewing equipment

[Andy]

Yeah, I've got one.

Makes taking gravity readings a doddle, goodbye hydrometer B)

You do need to bung the Brix reading through a spreadsheet or program such as Promash to determine the SG value but that's no big deal IMO.

Expensive though! I got mine from a German place on ebay which sells refractometers for loads of different applications.

In fact this is exactly the same model from the same source:-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fruit-Sugar-Juice ... dZViewItem

[eskimobob]

Thanks Andy. Good to hear someone has used one.

You're right about the price. By the time you add on postage it's getting a bit pricy; now where's that christmas list

[PieOPah]

You can get them much cheaper on ebay now than that previous listing...

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Brix-Refractomete ... dZViewItem Considering buying one myself if I have enough money left after buying my mashtun/imerssion cooler/king keg

[eskimobob]

Well it's heading towards my birthday so I'm thinking of suggesting some brewing related options - like a refractometer. Quite a few JHBF members seem to have them now so should be able to help me figure out what I need to buy.

There are quite a few for sale on eBay but there seems to be quite a few different ranges available (0 to 32% and others). Does anyone know what range is suitable for our home brewing purposes? - I guess I could work it out but I'm sure someone here will have the answer already.

PoP's link seems cheap enough and has a range of 0 to 32% - is that suitable?

[Andy]

I bought a 0-18% one as that covered the range of gravities I was interested in (equates to 1000-1070) and the scale is obviously easier to read accurately.

[Seveneer]

I use a 0-32% refractometer and I find it very useful. Maybe it can't get the accuracy that Andy gets with his but I have made several beers above 1.070 over the last year so I need the extra headroom

I never used to bother with gravity before as it was too much of a faff; especially trying to monitor the gravity of the runnings to ensure I didn't get tannins. Now I measure the gravity several times on brew day and often during fermentation to monitor progress.

I can't recommend them highly enough.

/Phil.

[Vossy1]

I use one

Here's an interesting link as to their use

http://byo.com/feature/1132.html

Last time I brewed I used it to keep an eye on the gravity, hadn't done this before.

It allows me to stop boiling, at target sg, usually coinciding with boil duration target, if I get things right

[sparky Paul]

I've not used them for brewing, but I used both optical and digital brix refractometers extensively in my work capacity - refractometers have a few distinct advantages over the humble hydrometer. Most importantly, they only need a tiny sample, and will also give a more accurate measure of the dissolved sugars because the measurement is affected by fewer influences.

ATAGO is the manufacturer to go for if you can find them. The digital ones are very pricy, but are a doddle to use and virtually indestructible...

[eskimobob]

Thanks Guys. So a 0 to 18% one is better than a 0.32% one providing I don't want to go over 1070 SG. I can't see me wanting to do that though. I'll have a look on eBay to see what is available. Some of them say for testing battery acid etc

[Andy]

I have this one (same seller) :-

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Fruit-Sugar-Juice ... dZViewItem

[eskimobob]

Thanks Andy

[Vossy1]

I have this one (same seller) :-

So have I...

[eskimobob]

Hmm - I notice on that one it doesn't state what range the automatic temperature compensation works over - does it say on your instructions?

I've found this cheaper one on eBay that states temperature compensation over the range 10C to 30C. Would I therefore be able to take samples from the mash and boiler? - presumably the sample is very small so the temperature of the sample falls quickly

[Andy]

Yes, the sample (1 or 2 drops) cools quickly on the refractometer plate. If I take a sample from the boiler then I put the drops on, close the "lid" and set it aside for about a minute to allow the temp to drop although that's probably not necessary.