I'm looking to get a refractometer. Have been looking on ebay and can get them, for about €20 to your door compared to the €60 from the online suppliers. I reckon ill be ordering in the next while and just wondering if anyone wants to come in on the order. Shipping is not bad but even better if a few people get involved.
Something like
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/New-Portable-Refractometer-for-Grape-Wine-Alcohol-0-25-Brix-0-40-with-ATC-/331111504678?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Food_SM&hash=item4d17c89b26
Was looking for one myself, if you don't mind me jumping in.
Yes. I'd go for one. But can we get ones that show specific gravity?
something like
http://www.ebay.ie/itm/0-32-Brix-Beer-Sugar-Wine-Wort-SG-Refractometer-RSG-100ATC-Gray-Case-HD-/221256283223?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3383e6f457
This is the one http://www.ebay.ie/itm/0-32-ATC-Brix-SG-Refraktometer-Zucker-Stammwurze-Bier-/321287323356?pt=Spezial_Landwirtschaft&hash=item4ace377edc (http://www.ebay.ie/itm/0-32-ATC-Brix-SG-Refraktometer-Zucker-Stammwurze-Bier-/321287323356?pt=Spezial_Landwirtschaft&hash=item4ace377edc) I got last year
And it reads SG?
Good product?
The gauge internally can be blurry on these cheap ones.
Excuse me for butting in here, i got one of the cheap ATC refractometers from China off fleabay last year. Have not had cause to use it much but there are two points of note i would like to make ye aware of with these. Number one the typeface(number scale) is extremely small and thin to the point it is extremely difficult to read at the best of times. Number two they do not respond well to low light conditions such as in your kitchen or brew room.
I found that i had to be standing directly under the ceiling light to get any decent reading off my one. TBH its more hassle than its worth but i keep it as a back up, i have reverted to my glass hydrometer for main use. These issues may just be with the cheap Chinese ones, i have never used one of the 50 euro jobbies. ::)
In defense of the Refractos from our eastern friends and using it in low light conditions not witstanding.
I have found mine invaluable for quick SG tests throughout the Mash and Boil and due to the low sample requirement it does not need to be temperature compensated. Also mine has an adjustable focus on the lens to correct my blurry vision when swapping from user to user. And is reZeroable based on your base water conditions
Get one from China! You won't regret it!
I have 2, a brix scale and sg, both cheap both chinese and both compare fine to hydrometer and critically improved dramatically my tracking of progress on boiling wort.
Much easier to use and read and less exposure to infection.
To get a defined line wait for your sample to get to 20 degrees if sampled from hot wort.
http://www.nationalhomebrewclub.com/forum/index.php/topic,3741.msg46142.html#msg46142
I have also had the pleasure of using a €300 version, same result as my chepaer one but definitely more refined.
Quote from: DaMun on January 30, 2014, 12:35:09 PM
In defense of the Refractos from our eastern friends and using it in low light conditions not witstanding.
I have found mine invaluable for quick SG tests throughout the Mash and Boil and due to the low sample requirement it does not need to be temperature compensated. Also mine has an adjustable focus on the lens to correct my blurry vision when swapping from user to user. And is reZeroable based on your base water conditions
Get one from China! You won't regret it!
+1
Just took a pic of mine looking out the window.
Ill let this run and place order net week sometime to give anyone else who may want one time to notice and join in.
defintly recommend one, all i use on brewday. it can be a bit blurry sometimes to get an exact reading but thats more to do with focus, light and amount of liquid on the plate as sometimes its crystal sharp. no more difficult to read then a hydrometer and mines just as accurate
Good on Brew day, but what do you do for FG?
Quote from: johnrm on January 30, 2014, 01:43:44 PM
Good on Brew day, but what do you do for FG?
http://beersmith.com/blog/2010/11/02/how-to-use-a-refractometer-brix-and-beer-brewing/
Quote from: johnrm on January 30, 2014, 01:43:44 PM
Good on Brew day, but what do you do for FG?
Any refractometer calculator can help with it
www.brewersfriend.com/refractometer-calculator/
or you can use BeerSmith.
Quote from: Jacob on January 30, 2014, 02:06:16 PM
Edit: For some reason can't post a proper url, so remove extra space after dot.
http://www.brewersfriend.com/refractometer-calculator/
still use a hydrometer for FG, just cause its handier
Quote from: CH on January 30, 2014, 02:53:47 PM
Quote from: Jacob on January 30, 2014, 02:06:16 PM
Edit: For some reason can't post a proper url, so remove extra space after dot.
http://www.brewersfriend.com/refractometer-calculator/
Got it. AdBlock made those links invisible. Working now :)
I want to get one for easy checking of pre boil gravity and runnings. Will probably stay with hydrometer for FG but nice to have an option.
Ordering next Wed so if you want in let me know.
1. Nigel_c
2. ColmR
1. Nigel_c
2. ColmR
3. Irish goat
Don't forget Chinese new year gonna mess with delivery times if you order from there.
yep china closes down for a month....unbelieveble but true.
On feb 4thish they start coming back and the backlog should be cleared by about april. half the stuff they sell is purchased online and they keep taking orders online even though theyv fecked off for a month >:( so jan and feb is not best time to buy from china unfortunatly
Yep. The seller is away till the 4th. Not in that much of a hurry.
Anybody else?
I contacted the seller but they never got back to me. Going to try another seller.
Quote from: nigel_c on February 04, 2014, 07:21:14 PM
Anybody else?
Yeah why not?
1. Nigel_c
2. ColmR
3. Irish goat
4. McGrath
Yeah why not?
1. Nigel_c
2. ColmR
3. Irish goat
4. McGrath
5. BrianC
Sorry guys.
2 sellers contacted and neither has gotten back to me.
I'm gonna put this on hold but if anyone does get back to me with prices etc ill post up then.
I would be interested Nigel.
6.Rossa
Quote from: nigel_c on February 21, 2014, 11:33:24 AM
Sorry guys.
2 sellers contacted and neither has gotten back to me.
I'm gonna put this on hold but if anyone does get back to me with prices etc ill post up then.
Nigel I'm not sure how much of a discount you are going to get from an ebay seller, there are loads on ebay and they are only 10-12 snots anyway? :(
Quote from: CH on February 21, 2014, 01:51:06 PM
Quote from: nigel_c on February 21, 2014, 11:33:24 AM
Sorry guys.
2 sellers contacted and neither has gotten back to me.
I'm gonna put this on hold but if anyone does get back to me with prices etc ill post up then.
Nigel I'm not sure how much of a discount you are going to get from an ebay seller, there are loads on ebay and they are only 10-12 snots anyway? :(
+1 on CH . Free post from China. Each of ye order yer own.
+1. They do not reply to requests for bulk orders and have a buy it now button. Let them bother with the logistics.
with a larger order you are probably going to get stung by customs too.