21 replies to this topic

[positiveContact]

My hydrometer finally broke.  I'm looking on amazon and refractometers are only $20ish while a lot of the hydrometers are around $15.  Is the refractometer better?  It at least seems less likely I'll break it.

[positiveContact]

just ordered a hydro b/c I'm a little iffy on the refractometers from amazon.

[djinkc]

My refractometer is a paperweight

[HVB]

I use the refractometer for preboil gravity and maybe checking on the mash. I got a nice Brew America hydrometer and glass jar on Amazon that I use for OG and FG.

[denny]

just ordered a hydro b/c I'm a little iffy on the refractometers from amazon.

 

If you want a hydrometer, get a thermo hydometer from Brewing America.  Best quality I've ever seen.

My refractometer is a paperweight

 

I have 3 that perform similarly.

I use the refractometer for preboil gravity and maybe checking on the mash. I got a nice Brew America hydrometer and glass jar on Amazon that I use for OG and FG.

 

Aren't those great?  I bought one and it was so great I asked them to become sponsors.

[MakeMeHoppy]

I use the refractometer for preboil gravity and maybe checking on the mash. I got a nice Brew America hydrometer and glass jar on Amazon that I use for OG and FG.

This.  I really liked the refractometer for quick checks on gravity on brewing day to make sure I was at/near my numbers. Once fermentation started I had zero luck with any conversion program getting anywhere near the reading of the hydrometer.

[positiveContact]

If you want a hydrometer, get a thermo hydometer from Brewing America.  Best quality I've ever seen.

 

what makes them cost 2x as much as the competition?  considering I could break it on day 1 I'd have to wonder

[denny]

what makes them cost 2x as much as the competition?  considering I could break it on day 1 I'd have to wonder

 

Build quality, accuracy, and accessories.  And having temp correction built in.  I dunno, I'm at the stage of my brewing where I feel like I deserve good stuff.  Also just sprang for a Blichmann Riptide.

Edited by denny, 20 October 2018 - 02:53 PM.

[djinkc]

what makes them cost 2x as much as the competition?  considering I could break it on day 1 I'd have to wonder

 

I've broke a lot of hydrometers over the years.  I found out how to never break one again.  I ordered two.

 

That was about 8 years ago and the backup has never been taken out of the shipping tube.

[BarefootBrews]

As stated, refractometers are great for taking quick readings on brew day.  Find one with ATC (temp compensation).  Specific gravity is temp related.  Refractometers can be used for FG reading, but you must know the OG reading as well.  There is a little formula for calculating FG using a refractometer, but that formula requires the OG.  That said, I take my OG reading with refractometer and hydrometer to compare the two.  I don't trust the formula for FG reading, therefore, I use hydrometer for my final gravity reading.  Love DJ's response that his refractometer is now a paperweight.   LOL.

[Genesee Ted]

Refract is perfect for hot side readings. I’d rather use hydro cold side. ATC is a joke for refracteters. They only require a couple drops and the refract cools it down almost instantly. Much more of a consideration with hydrometers.

[SchwanzBrewer]

None of the refractometers work for very long. They are great when they work, but I've owned 4, some expensive, some cheap, and none of them lasted more than a year or so and often I could get 3 different readings in 3 attempts. Got sick of them and I only use a hydrometer now.

[Genesee Ted]

Interesting. I’ve never had one stop working or become inaccurate

[MakeMeHoppy]

Interesting. I’ve never had one stop working or become inaccurate

same here

[djinkc]

Interesting. I’ve never had one stop working or become inaccurate

 

Mine went nuts.  Consecutive readings taken minutes apart were not close at all.  I couldn't trust it.  Now if I'm concerned with hot wort gravity I use Denny's martini shaker trick

[gnef]

This is interesting. Like some, I've had one refractometer for many years, and it has worked exactly as I expected. I do only use it prefermentation though, and I actually rarely measure FG unless something is off or I'm concerned.

 

When I do take a FG reading, I'll break out the hydrometer and use that.

 

This does have me a bit paranoid though, so I may take a hydrometer reading with my next refractometer reading and see how they compare.

[Genesee Ted]

Mine went nuts.  Consecutive readings taken minutes apart were not close at all.  I couldn't trust it.  Now if I'm concerned with hot wort gravity I use Denny's martini shaker trick

What is this trick?

[djinkc]

What is this trick?

 

Hot wort sample in the bottom of a martini shaker - swirl in a bowl of ice water to bring it down to hydro temps.  Worked pretty quickly the one time I did it.  Thought my mash had channeled during a fly sparge and gravity would be really low - wasn't.  Denny's idea, not mine

Edited by djinkc, 26 November 2018 - 03:56 PM.

[Genesee Ted]

Well, good idea. No offense to Denny, but that’s not exactly his idea either lol

[denny]

Interesting. I’ve never had one stop working or become inaccurate

 

I've got 4 in a drawer

 

Well, good idea. No offense to Denny, but that’s not exactly his idea either lol

Where did you see it otherwise?  I never have.