Refractometer Problem?

[Ross]

Darren,
it also depends on the quality of the device.

Some of the very cheap one dont allow to get dunked into the wort. Not even the tip of it.

Maybe you are owner of a very good one, so you are lucky.

But other hand, better not to advice anyone to do the same, some of that equipment will die very quickly.

Just my 2 cnt.

Wise words Zwickel - dipping your refractometer into hot wort is fool hardy - just because you've never had a problem, doesn't make it safe practice - Darren, you amaze me at times

cheers Ross

 

[johnno]

Well i have never dunked mine in the hot wort, but i was using a large spoon to just scoop up wort while the boil was on and pouring it all over the lens.

Worked ok like that for the first 2-3 brews then it started getting blurry readings.

Now I have to pour some wort in a cup an let it sit for a while then use the dropper and put 2-3 drops on the lens.

This is annoying as it is hardly taking a reading instantaneously.

As bought up in chat last night.

The ones we use are just cheap versions of proper, more able equipment.

Long live cheap junk.
johnno

 

[BrissyBrew]

You state the last 3 brews have been off what have you been brewing? Are we talking stout? or something dark?

 

[Ross]

This is annoying as it is hardly taking a reading instantaneously.

Johnno,

If used correctly by just using the dropper & just adding a couple of drops, the mass of the unit will pretty well instanly bring the sample within the temperature compensating limts of the unit & you should have no problems, unless the model you bought hasn't got ATC.


cheers Ross

 

[normell]

So are these meters any use to non AG brewers.
My brewing is mostly ESB fresh wort packs now, with some extra hops added into secondary (thanks Ross), but an extra shiny bit of gear woundn't go astray, so come on Guy's, convince me that I need one

 

[Ross]

So are these meters any use to non AG brewers.
My brewing is mostly ESB fresh wort packs now, with some extra hops added into secondary (thanks Ross), but an extra shiny bit of gear woundn't go astray, so come on Guy's, convince me that I need one

Norm,

Very simple to check the starting & progressive gravity of your fresh wort kit with just a few droplets of wort. No hassles from CO2 clinging to your hydrometer samples - Also far less prone to breakage than using your hydrometer. But the real benefit to the ag'er is being able to read hot wort samples instantly.

Ooh & they look dead cool as well

Cheers Ross

 

[Gulf Brewery]

If used correctly by just using the dropper & just adding a couple of drops, the mass of the unit will pretty well instanly bring the sample within the temperature compensating limts of the unit & you should have no problems, unless the model you bought hasn't got ATC.

cheers Ross

Ross

Have a look at my previous post (and also Zwickel's and sqyre's) in this thread - the ATC is not correcting the sample temperature and we have found you must cool the sample to get an accurate reading

Pedro

 

[mika]

Normell, this says it all

....... with just a few droplets of wort......

thus you waste less precious beer :beer:

And this may also have something to do with it h34r:

Ooh & they look dead cool as well

 

[johnno]

So are these meters any use to non AG brewers.
My brewing is mostly ESB fresh wort packs now, with some extra hops added into secondary (thanks Ross), but an extra shiny bit of gear woundn't go astray, so come on Guy's, convince me that I need one

Normell,
If you are mainly doing the fresh wort packs there is hardly a need for a refractometer.
A hydro reading is all you need.

If you ever go AG, sure you may find one handy then.

Save yourself the money. Even better buy 2 fresh wort packs with it.

cheers
johnno

 

[Ross]

If used correctly by just using the dropper & just adding a couple of drops, the mass of the unit will pretty well instanly bring the sample within the temperature compensating limts of the unit & you should have no problems, unless the model you bought hasn't got ATC.

cheers Ross

Ross

Have a look at my previous post (and also Zwickel's and sqyre's) in this thread - the ATC is not correcting the sample temperature and we have found you must cool the sample to get an accurate reading

Pedro

I never had a problem when just using the little eye dropper that comes with the refrac (I used to just draw enough for the sample, so I guess it cooled pretty rapidly), but having lost it, I now take a sample with a teaspoon & pour on the lense. I've found like you & others, in this case it needs to cool a little to get an accurate result. I take one reading & then follow with one from the same sample a minute later for confirmation.

cheers Ross

 

[Kai]

So far I haven't had inaccurate readings, from putting hot wort from a pipette directly onto the lens of my non-ATC refrac.

 

[Zwickel]

So far I haven't had inaccurate readings, from putting hot wort from a pipette directly onto the lens of my non-ATC refrac.

So, you may do a test: fill up an eyedropper with hot wort and take one sample of it instantly; then leave the eyedropper with the rest of wort alone, til the temp has reached room temp and measure again.
Sure youll get two different readings.

One hand, a hot wort cannot have the same density as a cold wort, thats a physical matter, if your refracto. shows the same, it has to be wrong.

Other hand, as Ross has mentioned, the mass of the refracto. will dissipate the temp of the sample, but anyway it heats up the most sensitive part of the meter, I wouldnt rely on it.

Cheers

 

[sah]

I've just brought a refractometer and have used it for 3 brews. I'm having a couple of problems.

Yesterday the after boil reading was 18.3% brix (1.074). I had let the sample cool. Today the wort reads 17.5% brix (1.070).

I'm also finding that the pre boil reading is indicating that I've achieved about 82% efficiency, according to Beersmith's calculations, the immediate after boil reading was indicating 78% efficiency and today's reading indicated 74% efficiency.

The brew the day before (a wit) pre boil reading 1.064 (81% efficiency) post boil reading 1.071 (70.6% efficiency)

For the pre versus post boil readings I'm guessing incorrect boil off and volume estimates are mucking things up. However its the first problem I'm more concerned with. That is, different readings immediately after the boil versus the next day when it has completely cooled. Don't forget I'm letting the samples cool.

Does anyone have some words of wisdom?

Thanks in advance.

regards
Scott

 

[Darren]

SAH,

Have you dried your refracto between uses? Minute amounts of water will cause huge fluctuations in refracto readings.

cheeers

Darren

 

[sah]

Yes I forgot to mention that Darren. I dried both lense and lid thoroughly with a soft paper towel.

Scott

 

[Darren]

Yes I forgot to mention that Darren. I dried both lense and lid thoroughly with a soft paper towel.

Scott

SAH,

could it be where you "took" the line? Maybe brewday maths? 4 sg points are not really worth worrying about anyhow.

cheers

Darren

 

[sah]

Hi Darren,

I had an assistant yesterday who also check the reading and concurred. The maths was done by Beersmith. I take your point about not worrying too much about 4 points.

All the best.
Scott

 

[Simon W]

Is it possible that after sitting for a while, heavier sugars have fallen to the bottom, so the upper levels of the wort are slightly thinner? Maybe a stir of the wort will bring he reading back up? Just a thought.

 

[Stuster]

Probably a silly question, but what volume are you using for your post-boil efficiency? In kettle or into fermenter? :unsure:

Has it started fermenting?

 

[PostModern]

Hi Scott,

Did you calibrate your refractometer? ie, check that it reads 0 with tap (or ideally distilled) water? I gave mine a test of tap water then another with 10g of sugar in 100ml of water and it read bang on 10, so I know mine is at least as accurate as my scales. (EDIT: oops, just read PoL asked Duff this in post #5)