Refractometers

[nigel_c]

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

[irish_goat]

Was looking for one myself, if you don't mind me jumping in.

[ColmR]

Yes. I'd go for one. But can we get ones that show specific gravity?

[nigel_c]

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

[Rats]

This is the one http://www.ebay.ie/itm/0-32-ATC-Brix-SG-Refraktometer-Zucker-Stammwurze-Bier-/321287323356?pt=Spezial_Landwirtschaft&hash=item4ace377edc I got last year

[nigel_c]

And it reads SG?

Good product?

[johnrm]

The gauge internally can be blurry on these cheap ones.

[Greg2013]

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.  :

[Damien M]

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!   

[Ciderhead]

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.

[Rats]

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.

[nigel_c]

Ill let this run and place order net week sometime to give anyone else who may want one time to notice and join in.

[beerfly]

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

[johnrm]

Good on Brew day, but what do you do for FG?

[Ciderhead]

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/