refractometers

[Seveneer]

Got my refractometer today and the limations of it are already very evident, it seems to be useless for readings with yeast in them (have a wine that is know has virtually fermented out yet it has a reading of about 7 brix).

What was the OG of the wine? The FG is a function of the OG and the measured value in Brix. It's not as simple as saying that if the gravity is 7%Brix it hasn't fermented out.

/Phil.

[delboy]

Got my refractometer today and the limations of it are already very evident, it seems to be useless for readings with yeast in them (have a wine that is know has virtually fermented out yet it has a reading of about 7 brix).

What was the OG of the wine? The FG is a function of the OG and the measured value in Brix. It's not as simple as saying that if the gravity is 7%Brix it hasn't fermented out.

/Phil.

It started out about 1085, about a week ago it was 1010 and dropping (i broke my hydrometer around about then so i can only infer that it has continued to drop close to 1000).
The reading of about 7 brix doesn't make much sense to me.

[Seveneer]

With an OG of 1.085 and a reading of 7 brix Promash tells me your FG is 0.992 which suggests that it has fermented out which fit's in with what you'd expect

/Phil.

[delboy]

With an OG of 1.085 and a reading of 7 brix Promash tells me your FG is 0.992 which suggests that it has fermented out which fit's in with what you'd expect

/Phil.

How in the world did you work that out seveneer???

Edit: ok i see promash has been mentioned, am i going to have to bite the bullet and buy a brewing software package?

Don't mind the price, but i resent the time spent arseing about learning my way around them, don't suppose there is any on line tools for doing this??

[Seveneer]

Promash

[delboy]

one last question what would a starting gravity of 1070 coming out at close to 8 brix equal then

[Seveneer]

1.008

[delboy]

1.008

seveneer you are a gentleman and a scholar, many thanks

[Seveneer]

You're welcome.

Have a look at this for a calculator to work out your specific gravity based on OG and current Brix.

/Phil.

[Dan]

dont do it delboy !!!!

you can get the trial version of promash and plug away with figures forever

you just cant save recipes and settings

[eskimobob]

What a 42 carrat plonker

Just kidding - I'd have probably made that mistake myself too

Seriously - does that change your opinion on whether they are worth it then?
I am still planning on getting one but interested in your thoughts.

[Seveneer]

dont do it delboy !!!!

you can get the trial version of promash and plug away with figures forever

Or you can use the calculator in the link I posted

/Phil.

[Andy]

At current exchange rates Beersmith is about a tenner and has the refractomer calcs built in also.


Oh, and Del you plonker

[Dan]

Or you can use the calculator in the link I posted Wink

ahh.. if only the beer was as free as all this information [/quote]

[delboy]

It certainly has changed my oponion, i've tidied all the toys all back into my pram and i guess the refract does have a place in my brewing cupboard after all.
Thank goodness for this place and the good advice that is so abundant .

Thanks for the links to the calcultor, as far the brew software goes, i'll keep avoiding it as much as i can, as i said its not the cost, since its a pittance really and well worth it for the effort someone has put into it.
But i just don't want to buy it, any then feel obligated to be punching my recipes etc in, i quite like doing it old school with my wee jotter