National Homebrew Club Ireland

Brewing Discussions => Equipment & Chemicals => Topic started by: DCLavs on October 13, 2014, 05:59:06 PM

Title: Wort Refractometer
Post by: DCLavs on October 13, 2014, 05:59:06 PM
Anyone have/tried one of these: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/RSG-100ATC-Black-Brix-Beer-Sugar-Wine-Wort-Tester-SG-0-32-Refractometer-Cool-/111452669482?pt=UK_Home_Garden_Food_SM&hash=item19f318c62a

Are they accurate?Seems a better way for testing gravity.
Title: Re: Wort Refractometer
Post by: CARA on October 13, 2014, 06:06:41 PM
They're handy as fook, used one at a mates brew day and wanted one straight away! Great for constantly checking run off gravity when sparging
Title: Re: Wort Refractometer
Post by: imark on October 13, 2014, 06:49:27 PM
I've one and it's one of the handiest yokes I've bought for brewday. You don't need to cool the sample as it's only a couple of drops so they pretty much cool on contact. Really useful for measuring gravity when lautering.
I've never had an issue with accuracy on mine after dozens of brews. Hold onto hydrometer for fermentation.
Title: Re: Wort Refractometer
Post by: mcgrath on October 13, 2014, 06:53:27 PM
I have one. I love it. Makes brewday much easier. I brought mine to a brewery I volunteered in. Calibrated it off their one and it matched their readings after that.. I'd recommend them.
Title: Re: Wort Refractometer
Post by: DCLavs on October 13, 2014, 07:19:15 PM
Quote from: Dube on October 13, 2014, 06:10:52 PM
Downsides: No good for after fermentation has begun, it won't replace your hydrometer, dubious accuracy of Chinese made ones.

No good for testing FG then?
Title: Re: Wort Refractometer
Post by: armedcor on October 13, 2014, 08:12:56 PM
There are calculations for using it to get FG but tbh it's easier to just use the hydrometer for the FG,
Title: Re: Wort Refractometer
Post by: rukkus on October 14, 2014, 08:38:58 AM
The beersmith mobile app has a handy tool to do the fg adjustment for you, you need to know your pre ferment gravity for the conversion