Hydrometer vs Refractometer

[warra48]

Looks like mrs warra may receive a refractometer for her next birthday.

Should I run a poll whether this is a good idea?

 

[spog]

Looks like mrs warra may receive a refractometer for her next birthday.

Should I run a poll whether this is a good idea?

bugga the poll,its a good idea do it.

reminds me of a mate who wanted a bigger boat,his missus said no,so he bought it for her as an anniversary pressie.
he was in the **** for a while, as no doubt you could be but you end up with what you want and the depth is always variable. ..cheers..spog..

 

[sillyboybrybry]

Looks like mrs warra may receive a refractometer for her next birthday.

Should I run a poll whether this is a good idea?

It is definitely a good idea. I just bought my wife one to replace the one she broke.

 

[tricache]

Waiting for my refractometer to arrive today...hydrometer is good but it only takes a few bubbles or a slightly different temp to get the reading wrong and with my current beer its black as night and full of all sorts of crud (dry hop city without a bag) its even worse :lol:

I'm in the boat of I'm not a fan of wasting beer, not so bad with a full batch of 20+ litres but when you do a half batch or something small and experimental then a few drops is a lot better.

 

[wbosher]

It's like the 2nd fridge so many of us buy for our mrs. Easier to apologise later, than seek permission in the first place.

I broke a hydrometer a couple of weeks ago, oddly enough just after saying to the mrs how I don't understand how people can break them...they must be bloody clumsy or something. :lol:

 

[mikec]

I only use my refractometer now.
As I take a few samples throughout the process, and a couple at end of fermentation, I waste a lot less beer by putting two drops on the refracto, rather than 100ml in the hydro!

 

[Nick JD]

Does little bits of crud in your sample affect the index of refraction?

Should we be letting our sample settle?

I don't usually - but I wonder if it makes a difference.

 

[kahlerisms]

Does little bits of crud in your sample affect the index of refraction?

Should we be letting our sample settle?

I don't usually - but I wonder if it makes a difference.

I wonder the same thing. My pre-fermentation samples quite often have a fair bit of chunky floaty stuff in them. As long as the chunky floaty stuff isn't sugar, I don't think it'll impact the measurement?

 

[mikec]

I take a very small sample and let it sit in a measuring cup for a few mins to let the crud settle out, then draw off a couple of drops for the refracto.

 

[sponge]

As per a few other brewers have stated on here, I also use both.

Refrac for pre ferment, hydro for during/post.

 

[tricache]

My refractometer just arrived today.... :super: Beer Telescope!!